The McMaster University football program has been a strong one in the last while. The McMaster Marauders won the Yates Cup four straight years from 2000 to 2003, and are making their third trip in four years to the Vanier Cup this year. They won in 2011 and lost in 2012, both games played against legendary powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or.
Carabins with the Edge
This year they’re playing the Universite de Montreal Carabins, the surprising upstarts who knocked off Laval and Western champions Manitoba to take the other Vanier Cup berth. So they’re closely matched, but Montreal holds the edge in every stat that matters. The Marauders were a respectable fourth in yards allowed and fifth in points allowed across the CIS; the Carabins were second in both categories. The Carabins are ranked second nationally, the Marauders third, both with 10-1 records. Even more importantly, the game is played in Montreal, the Carabins’ home turf.
McMaster’s Advantages
McMaster’s only edge, statistically speaking, is its experience. A dozen of their players were on the school’s squad in the 2012 Vanier Cup, so they bring a more seasoned view in the locker room. And they haven’t had a Laval to concentrate on in Ontario; McMaster has had Western, Guelph, and Queen’s to contend with in the OUA standings in recent years. Parity is difficult in any CIS conference, but there’s more in Ontario than in Quebec.
And it’s not as though McMaster is without some weaponry. Defensive Lineman Mark Mackie took three sacks and the MVP trophy away from this year’s Mitchell Bowl against a strong Mount Allison team; corner Joey Cupido is a fearsome pass protector, with a stunning 14 interceptions in 15 career playoff games – and that was after missing the 2013 season with an elbow injury.
The Marauders are led by fourth-year quarterback Marshall Ferguson, who has been decent this year, although his numbers are not nearly as strong as in 2013. He’s thrown for 17 touchdowns against 21 last year (with 12 picks both years), and has had three 300-yard games against four games passing that mark in 2013.
He’s not a running threat at all, though. The ground game will be left to running back Wayne Moore, a strong runner who gained 146 yards against Mount Allison last week, in an otherwise poor offensive effort.
The team, though, isn’t in the big game by accident. They have skill all over the field. Kicker Tyler Crapigna was top of the Ontario schools for field goal accuracy at 89%; wide receiver Daniel Vandervoort had a number of good games on the season, including a 144-yard, two-touchdown affair against Carleton in week 3.
Attitude Needed
McMaster coach Stefan Ptaszek has spent most of this week whining about the many advantages Montreal has, being the home team: no travelling, staying on campus, not breaking their football routines. There was even some squawking from the maroon team when Montreal players entered Molson Stadium before McMaster had finished practising. If the coach is the barometer of the team, their attitude is poor and sinking.
But Mac is apparently embracing the us-versus-the-world attitude. Against a Montreal squad that’s strong all around the field, McMaster is definitely the underdog team in this year’s Vanier Cup final. They’ll need to be fired up at every position and put in their best game of the season against the very strong and talented Carabins.
They are capable of beating Montreal, if they play at their very best; their attitude will be the most important edge they can get. It will be a long train ride home from Montreal if they come out flat.
Thank you for reading. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Main Photo:
