The Write Call -
In spite of the final score, the matchup between the McGill Redmen and Mount Allison Mounties here Saturday afternoon proved to be exciting with the second quarter being the undoing for the hosts.
The final score was 49-27 and pretty much matched the on-field play with the winners successful in unleashing some "bombs" that occasionally ended comeback attempts by the Mounties.
The bulk of the thrills for Mountie fans was, as usual, provided by the phenomenal Gary Ross.
Denied by other teams from getting his hands on the ball this season, Ross showed exactly why as the Redmen temporarily forgot and sent a long punt in his direction. Just seconds later, the Windsor Whiz was in their end zone following a 90-yard sprint that probably covered nearly twice that distance as he jiggled, twisted, spun and rolled, breaking free of tacklers to put six points on the board.
Other than that, the Redmen punter aimed for the sidelines just as the Acadia Axemen and St. Francis Xavier X-Men had done earlier. He also had five receptions for 131 yards with a pair of returns for 133 yards. Late in the game, he was assisted off the field but fans gave a sigh of relief when the problem turned out to be a leg cramp. He explained after the game this is not unusual after he has managed to account for close to 300 all-purpose yards in a game. His receiving yardage jumped him to eighth spot in the Atlantic Conference's all-time receiving record book.
But it was Andrew Hamilton who ran amok, leaving Mounties in his wake.
Demonstrating a talent not seen here since the days of Eric Lapointe, Hamilton showed a slashing style that accounted for 257 yards on 28 carries and a pair of majors with one covering 53 yards from the line of scrimmage. Recognized as a sure pro prospect Hamilton is considered the premiere running back in the country as he completes his term of eligibility with the Redmen.
Statistically, the Redmen dominated. They outrushed the Mounties 360-90 and added 272 through the air for 632 total yards. Meanwhile the Mounties managed 288 through the air for an overall total of 393. A rule of thumb says that a team should score a major for every 100 yards of offense and that is almost exactly what was produced by each team.
Matt Pickett was the leading ground gainer with 65 yards on 11 attempts while steady Adam Molnar snared five passes for 96 yards to lead the team along with Ross.
The new boy in town - quarterback Jake Hotchkiss, termed a free throwing gun-slinger - provided some exciting moments, often rolling away from pressure to gain time to throw. He completed 16 of 31 attempts but had five picks by an alert secondary, aided greatly by an accomplished pass rush from up front.
"He (Hotchkiss) is a young quarterback who will make mistakes but who will improve," said coach Kelly Jeffrey as he assessed the game.
He said the game featured numerous huge hits and big plays and that while his team is improving they must step up even more as over the next three weeks they face St. Mary's Huskies twice and Laval in Quebec City. He feels Hotchkiss will be a big part of the Mountie future.
Akwasi Antwi again led the Mountie defense from his outside linebacking position. He recorded a total of 11 tackles, snuffing out what were shaping up to be big gains for the Redmen.
Half Jeremy Snider may have enjoyed his finest game as a Mountie with 10.5 tackles and middle linebacker Ben Halpern stepped up to halt the visitors on nine occasions. Luke Ekoh also made his presence felt with 5.5 tackles and challenged receivers each time they appeared in his territory.
The game was less than three minutes old when Hamilton appeared out of nowhere and after getting a key block rambled 53 yards to paydirt to open the scoring as Mountie fans said "oh no, not again." But less than two minutes later, all this was forgotten as the top return man in Canadian college football put on one of his patented displays of just how the game should be played. Taking a Redmen punt on his own 20-yard line, he simply rocketed down field to knot the score and provide some hope for suffering fans.
Punter Austin Anderson clicked on a 36-yard field goal to leave the Redmen up 13-10 after Mountie kicker Olivier Eddie split the uprights from 22.
But the second quarter was a hurtful one as the visitors racked up a pair of majors and a field goal to go to the break leading 26-13. However, the Mounties were still very much in contention until Hamilton did it again, this time on a short 12-yard gallop early in the third.
Hotchkiss hooked up with Molnar on a 35-yarder and then Ross did the "high step" to bedazzle the opposition from the 25 to bring the score close again - 32-27 - going into the final session.
Throwing caution to the wind, Hotchkiss completed some great attempts but also ran into a brick wall as he got picked three times in short order and the defense was hard pressed to hold on. Redmen quarterback Jonathan Collin went over from the two and threw a two-point conversion and Anderson rounded out the score with a 24-yard field goal near the final whistle to wrap the scoreboard watching.
Reviewing the contest on the field after the final whistle, Ross - considered by most as the "poster boy" for Mountie football - said his team will learn to live with the quarterback "gun slinger" who makes a good many big plays but who will make mistakes since he will improve in every game and offers a bright future for the team. He also believes the defense is capable of playing much better as they have given up 134 points in their first three games.
And Bradley Daye, back after a year on the sidelines with a torn-up knee, who played a solid game at corner said he feels his team still stands a chance as they head to Halifax Friday night.
"The Huskies aren't the team they once were," he said and he confirmed what Ross and the coach said, noting that Hotchkiss will improve and ultimately gain attention. Some observers have already begun to compare him to Eric Glavic, the tall lefty who led the Huskies before transferring to Calgary to hook up with former coach Blake Nill.
While the Mounties continue to give up big plays they have also found some offense and, with the exception of their opening "stinker" against Acadia, show some potential although it may take a year or two with some astute recruiting of "blue chip" athletes to attain the level they hope to reach.
