Mustangs pull a mini-Michigan

The fallout from the Western Mustangs blowing a two-touchdown lead and losing to Queen's at home on Monday includes falling from No. 7 to right out of the CIS Top 10 (which happens like never) and losing two-way player Matt Carapella for 2-4 weeks with a knee injury.

It's reasonable to wonder if Western is already up against it to finish in the top four in the OUA and be home to start the playoffs, although the Queen's game might have just been a fluke. It's possible to finish fourth with a 5-3 record, but it usually means having a tiebreaker over someone else. Western's already lost that to the Gaels and could lose it to McMaster or Windsor.

Greg Marshall's team finishing 6-2 is a tall task considering the meat of the order is coming up for the Mustangs: Following Saturday's game in Hamilton against Mac (also desperate not to start 0-2), it faces No. 3 Ottawa, reportedly improved Guelph and Windsor all before Oct. 1.

At least it's not the season for Carapella, who's so versatile that you half expect him to be up in the stands selling nachos during timeouts. The 'Stangs were counting on him be a safety, part-time slotback on offence, return man and holder for Derek Schiavone's field goals. (Working with a new holder, Schiavone missed two game-winning tries vs. the Gaels on Monday.)

The thing is, they could go 4-4 and still be dangerous in the playoffs. You never know.

Related:
Mustangs lose 'Mr. Everything' (Morris Dalla Costa, London Free Press)
Next PostNewer Post Previous PostOlder Post Home

2 comments:

  1. Neate — I wonder: Might this be a sign Queen's is a contender in the OUA this season? They certainly impressed people in the playoffs last year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It could be... their defence was very tough last season, the big question is the passing game. Dan Brannagan's numbers were kind of paltry.

    Guelph-Queen's on Sunday should be a good one... lot of people talking up the Gryphs.

    ReplyDelete