The Gaels’ lack of discipline proved to be the team’s greatest challenge in their second game of the season.
While Queen’s (2-1) pulled off a 47-23 victory over the Waterloo Warriors in today’s contest, the win was marred by a slew of penalties on both teams. The Gaels and the Warriors (0-3) each racked up 12 penalties — several of them costly.
In a game where Queen’s otherwise dominated the Warriors, their undisciplined play kept the score within a touchdown at halftime. The Gaels’ blown coverage on the final play of the second quarter, along with several penalties in the half, gave Waterloo a 39-yard touchdown pass to cut the score to 21-14 at the break.
A play by Jesse Andrews in the opening 30 minutes was a bright spot for the Gaels. The fourth-year running back powered his way to a pair of first-half touchdowns. Andrews eventually finished the game with 192 yards on 21 carries and added a 12-yard touchdown reception to start the third quarter.
Queen’s bounced back after the break, racking up three scores in the first 10 minutes of the half. After connecting with Andrews, second-year quarterback Nate Hobbs found receivers Curtis Carmichael and Rudy Uhl for touchdown passes. Carmichael’s reception — pulling it in despite tight coverage from a Waterloo defensive back — was highlight-reel worthy.
The undisciplined play came to the forefront again in the final five minutes with a last-minute touchdown from the Warriors. A Queen’s unnecessary roughness penalty helped the drive by handing Waterloo first and goal from the one-yard line.
The Gaels defence struggled to maintain the Warriors’ passing attack, as Waterloo quarterback Lucas McConnell completed 24 of his 41 attempts for 423 yards and two touchdowns. The rushing game was stuffed as Queen’s allowed only 77 yards on the ground.
Along with his three passing scores, Hobbs threw for 223 yards and added another 33 rushing yards. He also punched in a one-yard touchdown with 23 seconds left in the first half.
The Gaels travel to London next week to take on the Western Mustangs (2-0). Queen’s has lost their last three meetings with the Mustangs by a combined score of 144-65.
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