The Carleton Ravens football team renewed their rivalry with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees on Oct. 29 in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) quarter-finals playoff game at MNP Park.
The Ravens prevailed with a 45-9 victory in the first postseason matchup between the two teams in the modern era.
“[The win] feels great, a playoff game, that adds another level to it, it was exciting for us obviously and I am proud of the guys and the way they played for sure,” Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah said.
Tempers flared before the game even began, as the two teams met at midfield after the Ravens ran out onto the field and pushing and shoving began.
Once the dust settled, Gee-Gees linebacker Ricardo Lubin was ejected from the game.
“We passed the ball well, we ran the ball well, we knew it was going to be a wet game,” said Ravens wide receiver Nate Behar, who had two receptions for 24 yards in the win. “We stopped the best passing defence in the country so our defence played lights out.”
The Ravens jumped out to an early lead in the game with a field goal from Ravens kicker Michael Domagala, then quarterback Jesse Mills connected a pass with wide receiver Wilson Birch to build a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Carleton added a second touchdown when running back Jayde Rowe ran two yards to build the lead to 17.
After U of O responded with a field goal midway through the second quarter, the Ravens answered back with 28 unanswered points of their own to build a 45-3 lead by the end of the third quarter.
The Gee-Gees scored a touchdown late in the game, though they were unable to secure a two-point conversion.
While U of O was able to contain the Ravens to only 92 passing yards, Carleton was able to gain 315 rushing yards while Christian Battistelli lead the way with 131 yards.
The Ravens were also able to limit the Gee-Gees to just 278 total yards of offense, and sacked Gee-Gees quarterbacks Derek Wendel and Victor Twynstra three times.
“Defensively we played exceptionally well, and we were able to run the ball when we needed to and we created some turnovers and when you do that, good things can happen,” Sumarah said.
The win over the Gee-Gees was historical for several reasons. It marked the first time they beat the Gee-Gees in four consecutive games.
The Ravens also earned their first home playoff victory in the modern history of the program after qualifying for the first time last season.
“It felt pretty awesome to win at home . . . we all bought in, we all drank the same Kool-Aid and were showing it to the whole country right now,” Behar said.
The Ravens will continue their pursuit of a Yates Cup title on Nov. 5 when they take on the Western Mustangs in the OUA semifinal playoff game in London at TD Stadium.
