Despite fighting until the very end, the visiting Carleton Ravens football team dropped their season opener 20-15 against the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks at University Stadium in Waterloo, Ont. on Sept. 3.
The Ravens were hunting for revenge after the Golden Hawks ended their 2022 season in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) quarterfinals.
The unrelenting defence of both squads was the highlight of the game, as the teams refused to concede the time and space necessary to complete plays.
However, the home team got on the board first when highly touted kicker Dawson Hodge set up a rouge with a punt from their 50-yard line that bounced once in the Ravens’ end zone before going out of bounds.
With three minutes remaining in the first quarter and Carleton trailing 1-0, starting Ravens quarterback Tristan Lefebvre handed the ball off to running back Alex Gayle. Gayle dropped the ball, pushing the Ravens back nine yards deep in their own territory, leading the Ravens to take a safety on a third and 15 situation.
The first quarter ended with the Ravens trailing the Golden Hawks by a score of only 3-0.
It wasn’t until the second quarter that the Ravens made their mark on the scoreboard after kicker Brandon Forcier successfully kicked the field goal from 14 yards out. Of the 15 points Carleton eventually scored in this game, nine of them came off the strength of Forcier’s successful field goal conversions.
As for finding the end zone, the Ravens were held back until the final minute of the fourth quarter. On a third and 12 situation from 30 yards out from the Laurier end zone, Lefebvre made a beautiful pass to wide receiver Ben Huckabone for the touchdown.
Despite failing to complete the comeback, there were many positive takeaways on both sides of the ball. The Ravens’ defensive line held their own from beginning to end, making it difficult for the Golden Hawks to get their offence going. Lefebvre finished the game with 300 passing yards and a touchdown. His 31 passes were the second-most in a single game in Ravens history.
Also of note is the significance of the Ravens playing the Golden Hawks in their season-opening match. Aside from eliminating the Ravens last season, the Golden Hawks also toppled last year’s Yates Cup finalist, the Queen’s Gaels, in their week one matchup.
Ravens football will seek their first win in a home opener matchup against the Western Mustangs this Saturday at 7 p.m. at TAAG Park.
Featured image by L. Manuel Baechlin.
