The Carleton Ravens men’s football team kept their play off hopes alive on Oct. 11 with an upset win against the McMaster University Marauders 35-30 on ‘Senior Night.’

Though it was a close one, the Ravens won thanks to their offensive strength, exploding for 29 first-half points. 

In replacement of Nathan Carter, running back Josh Ferguson continued his breakout campaign, amassing 187 yards on 32 attempts and finishing with two touchdowns. 

Fifth year senior Phil Iloki was also on a roll. Ferguson saw it as symbiotic with the two stretching the MacMaster defence. 

With Iloki catching eight receptions for 137 yards and scoring two touchdowns. With that performance Iloki moved into third all time in receiving yards by a Ravens player.  

Despite getting an early 29-13 lead, the Ravens struggled to put points up in the second half but maintained their advantage in the fourth quarter against a fast charging McMaster offence. 

Malik Yusuf drops a potential interception, a small mistake during his big game. [Photo by Tim Austen]
At half, the Ravens decided against heading back to the locker room, which the players agreed made a critical difference in preserving their momentum.

Coming back onto the field, it was a strong defensive performance that helped head coach Steve Sumarah’s side seal the game. This was without defensive back Jonathan Edouard (VISA issues) and middle linebackers Jack Cassar (suspended) and Josh Walsh (head injury).

With so many players out, this led to a changing of the guard on defence and linebackers Trevor Hoyte and Malik Yusuf played against McMaster, the latter receiving his first start of the season.

“It was pretty amazing, man. I just took the opportunity and ran with it. I called my parents, I called my girlfriend’s parents, all my boys, all that,” said Yusuf. 

Cole Hepburn gets fired up with Yusuf on the bench, mid way through the second quarter. [Photo by Tim Austen]
“Honestly, I was a little nervous my first play, I watched my film and I was prepared and all that but I was a little nervous. I was prepared, but this is the OUA, a whole another league and level.”

The first-year student explained that playing alongside Hoyte and seeing Cassar and Walsh on the sidelines gave him confidence. 

 “They were there giving me gas, giving me encouragement. Those are my boys, yo,” said a smiling Yusuf after the game.

The last 30 seconds of the game resembled backyard football, with McMaster turning the ball over on an interception by Cedrick Lavigne. Carleton managed only two yards before giving the ball right back to McMaster.

The final live play of the game was a wild lateral by the Marauders, but the Ravens recovered and sealed their five-point victory.

Ferguson, one of the standout players of the day, was adamant that it was a team performance that lead to the Ravens coming out on top. 

“We executed well in the first half and that really helped us come away with the W,” he explained.

“Cause the problem we have is, well, it’s not really a problem. We come out hard and then we kind of end up flat. But we still kept pushing so even if we didn’t get as many points in the second we could rely on our D.”

An emotional day for the seniors

In this pre game huddle Tevin Bowen emphasized playing for the whole program. [Photo by Tim Austen]
In front of a packed house at MNP Park, this year’s senior players were saying goodbye to their football careers at Carleton for their last home game of the season, rightfully dubbed, ‘Senior Night.’

To fifth-year Phil Iloki, his big game was about a lot more than clinching a playoff berth.

 “There was a lot riding on this game, not only for playoffs but this was the last game for me and a couple other guys,” said Iloki. 

“I mean guys wanted to make me happy, guys wanted to make [Tevin Bowen] happy, guys wanted to make [Chad Manchulenko] happy.” Iloki said 

Iloki added that the emotional stakes were increased with not having teammate Chad Manchulenko in the locker room this week after he was sent back home to Brampton, Ont. for treatment on an injury he sustained in Panda Game.

“That’s you know, that’s my brother man. Me and Chad we came in here the same year together,” Iloki said.  

“For him not to be on the field today. I’m super happy right not and not thinking about it, but just thinking about it makes me want to cry.”

Iloki and Manchulenko texted before the game and Iloki let his teammate  know that he and the other receivers were playing for him today, and wrote Manchulenko’s #87 on to their triceps, or their gloves or towels.

“He’s our guy, he’s the heart and soul of our team he’s energetic. I couldn’t disappoint today, I couldn’t disappoint him.” Iloki said.

The Ravens now travel to Waterloo to play against Wilfrid Laurier University on Oct. 18 for another do-or-die game. 

Feature Image by Tim Austen.

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