The Waterloo Warriors stifled Charles Asselin and the Ottawa Gee-Gees run game, but a solid performance through the air from quarterback Josh Janssen led the visiting Gees over the Warriors on the opening afternoon of the OUA season.
Through heavy west-east wind, the Gee-Gees managed the only two touchdowns of the day. The first came on a beautiful hook-and-ladder play finished off by Asselin midway through the second quarter, and the second came via a goal line carry by Asselin early in the third quarter.
The Gee-Gees defence stood firm, buoyed especially by a standout performance from the defensive line. Fifth-year Riley Hildebrandt and third-year Louis Prince each recorded a sack of their own in the first half, while Hildebrandt and Lancelot Gilbert teamed up for another in the third quarter.
The Warriors were bailed out on a poor punt early in the third by an illegal substitution penalty on the Gee-Gees. Instead of starting a drive deep into Warriors territory, the Gee-Gees instead gave Waterloo a third-and-one opportunity which they converted on to get out of danger.
Nick Orr threw for 210 yards, with his running backs his favourite targets on the day. Photo: Courtney Caird/Warriors
It wasn’t just Asselin (21 yards on 13 attempts) struggling — neither team could get anything going on the ground all day long. Waterloo running backs Quinten Springer, Roy Van der Veen, and Anthony Miller combined for just 38 yards on 13 attempts.
Gee-Gees linebacker Marc Djonay Rondeau might have been the biggest reason why. The fourth-year linebacker stopped first-down run after first-down, finishing with 7.5 tackles on the day to lead the game.
Warriors quarterback Nick Orr showed flashes of great play, advancing the chains 18 times and throwing for 210 yards on 19-of-30 passing. He added 44 yards rushing on 12 attempts, leading all players.
Marc Djonay-Rondeau — seen here tackling Warriors receiver Isaac White — led the game with 7.5 tackles. Photo: Courtney Caird/Warriors
Janssen fared a bit better on the afternoon, completing 16 of his 23 attempts including the touchdown, good for 222 yards. As expected, his favourite target was wideout Noah Avery, who he found six times for 105 yards.
Maybe most importantly, Janssen kept good care of the ball. Though the Chilliwack, B.C. native had a couple close calls, he avoided any interceptions.
The Gee-Gees return home to take on Keagan Hall’s York Lions, who also begin the season 1-0 after a home opener win over McMaster.
The Warriors travel to Toronto to visit the Varsity Blues, who stunned the Carleton Ravens with a 42-23 win in Ottawa.
Copeland continues cracking
Gee-Gees kicker Zachary Copeland was perfect on the day, nailing all four of his field goals — including a 48-yard make in the first quarter that set a new career high. He added an extra point and a rouge on a punt to finish with 14 points.
The Warriors were held from a touchdown by the Gee-Gees for the second year in a row, almost mirroring last year’s 26-5 result.