Alexander Colle | Sports Editor
Featured Image: The Lions only managed two points against the best defence in the OUA. | Courtesy of York Lions
With the exception of two rouges in the first and third quarters, York failed to score against the McMaster Marauders on Saturday afternoon, losing to the third-seed OUA team by a score of 32-2 in Hamilton.
Led by Marauder quarterback Jackson White, who completed 19 of his 25 attempts for 303 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, McMaster’s offence managed a total of 561 yards against a Lions defence that held U of T to just 16 points one week prior.
Despite their poor defensive performance, it was the offence that struggled the most throughout the game. York was only able to muster 142 total yards against the Marauders’ OUA-best defence that leads the league in fewest points allowed, as Lion quarterback Brent Hunchak was held to just 125 passing yards in the loss.
Neither team was able to get things going offensively in the first quarter, as the two sides combined for just four points, thanks in part to Lions kicker Dante Mastroguiseppe, who routinely set Mac up with terrible field position, forcing them to operate their offense from deep in their own end.
York’s offense began to heat up in the second quarter, aided by some defensive miscues from the Marauders. The beginning of the quarter featured a York offense that finally showed some signs of life, particularly on a 29-yard pass from Hunchak to receiver Eric Kimmerly. The play set up York in field goal territory, but a 36-yard field goal by Mastroguiseppe was called back due to a deflating too-many-men penalty. This forced York to punt instead, losing all the momentum they had gained in the drive.
However, the Lions defence wrestled it back immediately, intercepting McMaster’s White on the home team’s 44-yard line, putting them in great position for another chance at a score. Unfortunately, the chance was squandered, as York could not gain a single yard on the short drive.
This was when McMaster broke the game open, as the ensuing drive saw a 61-yard bomb from White to receiver Dan Petermann, advancing them to York’s 24-yard line. This set up a successful 14-yard field goal by kicker Adam Preocanin, giving Mac a five-point lead.
McMaster didn’t take their foot off the gas, as they continued to exploit York’s secondary with their superior passing game on their next drive, which featured a 38-yard bullet from White to receiver Justice Allin for the first touchdown of the game.
The Lions defense began to run out of steam in the second half, as McMaster pounded the ball and controlled the clock, led by running back Jordan Lyons, who finished the game with 185 yards and one touchdown.
The opening drive out of the break was highlighted by another big pass by White—this time, for 25 yards to York’s 17-yard line. This set up another field goal by the Marauders, which gave them a 16-point lead.
Mac drove the final nail in York’s coffin on their next drive, as a 44-yard pass into Lions territory set up a 25-yard field goal for Preocanin.
In an incredible sequence of events, York blocked the kick, only to have the ensuing fumble recovered by the Marauders at the one-yard line. Mac scored the second major of the game on the next play, as Lyons plunged into the endzone easily, giving the Marauders a 23-point lead.
York’s secondary stepped up in the final quarter, limiting Mac’s passing offence, but after two field goals and a safety by the home team, it was too little too late for the Lions, who couldn’t muster enough offence to score a point in the final 15 minutes.
The final score for the matchup would be 32-2, a disappointing defeat for a Lions team that came in on the high of a 41-16 victory last week.
The Lions look to bounce back on Thursday at home against the Laurier Golden Hawks. Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m.
