The much-anticipated Queen’s Gaels Football season opener against Western University was filled with action but ended up leaving a sour taste in the Gaels’ mouths.
On Aug 23rd, the Gaels men’s football team dropped their 2025 season opener to rivals Western University by a score of 45-42 in quadruple overtime at Richardson Stadium. The score itself was close, but it’s how they got there that left the Gaels devastated.
A quick touchdown and field goal from Western in the first quarter left the Gaels in a 10-0 deficit. However, an extremely strong showing from quarterback-turned-receiver Russell Weir, ArtSci ’26, in which he recorded two touchdowns—one rushing, one receiving—a 33-yard connection from quarterback Alex Vreeken, Kin ’26, to H-back Mateo Tuioti, ArtSci ’26, a field goal from kicker Tyler Mullan, ArtSci ‘26, and a safety forced by Queen’s defense put the Gaels up 26-10 with less than three minutes remaining in the game.
READ MORE: Queen’s Men’s Football talent shines at East-West game
In the fourth quarter, things looked good for Queen’s, with a stymied Western offense stunned by a fumble forced by Queen’s defensive lineman Oliver Jackson, HealthSci’27, with 7:03 on the clock.
Western got the ball back with four minutes left, and their offense seemingly flipped a switch. They ran the ball five times in a row to score a touchdown before completing the two-point conversion.
Queen’s got the ball, and after two passes, opted to punt. Western quarterback Evan Hillock responded with a pass to Western receiver Brayden Misseri for a 41-yard gain, then Western running back Ethan Dolby rushed into the Queen’s end zone for a touchdown. Western completed its second two-point conversion in a row.
A Western field goal with just 31 seconds left forced Mullan to step up once again and tie the game with a last-second field goal, sending the game to overtime.
What followed was a duel for the ages. Mullan and Western’s Brian Garrity matched field goals, with two apiece in the first two overtimes, before both Queen’s and Western matched touchdowns in the third overtime. In the fourth overtime, a field goal attempt from Mullan flew wide right. In the end, Western was able to march through and put the finishing touches on their comeback with a game-winning field goal from Garrity.
The game didn’t come without controversy, though. A referee’s decision in the end zone just before Mullan’s final field goal attempt left the Gaels’ sideline livid. Vreeken threw a pass that hit receiver Jack Ashby-Jacobs, ArtSci ’27, in the corner of the end zone, but the pass was ruled out of bounds.
The catch wasn’t visible for viewers on OUA.tv, but was captured by Queen’s Gaels Football Marketing staff member Jayden Scott and posted online. The footage was shared by major Canadian sports outlets such as PRSVRE and stirred up plenty of controversy among fans. The touchdown could’ve been crucial in changing the Gaels’ fate, but instead, they were forced to accept the defeat at home.
Vreeken completed 18/39 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing three times for 31 yards and one touchdown. Mateo Tuioti caught three passes for 83 yards and one touchdown.
Russell Weir caught six passes for 70 yards and one touchdown, also hauling in a rushing touchdown. Defensive back Keegan Vanek, ArtSci ’25, and linebacker DJ Ryan, Kin ’26, started their seasons by catching an interception apiece.
Despite the loss, the Gaels still earned the sixth spot in U Sports’ official Football Top Ten ranking on Aug 25.
The Gaels are back in action on Aug 30th, facing off against the McMaster Marauders in Hamilton, ON., at 1:00pm ET.
Tags
Alex Vreeken, Football, Russell Weir, Tyler Mullan
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.