Gaiters fall to Concordia in football season-opener

SHERBROOKE, Que. - An interception in the end zone by first-year linebacker Max Caron allowed the Concordia Stingers to outlast the Bishop’s Gaiters 17-14 in Quebec University Football League action tonight. The 1,857 fans at Coulter Field’s first-ever night game, saw Caron swat Jesse Andrews’ (Pickering, Ont.) pass attempt into the air, bobble it twice and come down with it in the Bishop’s end zone to give Concordia a 17-7 lead with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

After the Caron interception, a touchdown catch by freshman receiver Alexander Fox (Montreal West, Que.) on the last play of the third quarter pulled Bishop’s to within three points at 17-14. However, a scoreless fourth quarter, despite the Gaiters having the ball in Concordia territory three times, allowed the Stingers to hold on for the season-opening victory.

A blocked punt by Kyle Exumé (Brooklin, Ont.), allowed the Gaiters to have a first-and-goal from the seven-yard line. However, a bobbled snap thwarted the Gaiters’ third-down game from the one-yard line. Penalties stalled the Gaiters’ progress on later drives, as they saw three first downs and 49 yards in gains called back.

The Gaiters led for most of the game’s first half, as a pair of field goals and a single by Josh Maveety pushed Bishop’s to a 7-3 lead. However, a 20-yard catch by Liam Mahoney with 58 seconds to play in the half gave Concordia a 10-7 halftime lead. Until Mahoney’s major, Concordia’s only points had come from a 63-yard Dumitru Ionita punt single and a safety touch.

The Gaiters held the edge statistically, as they outgained Concordia 298 to 239 in the contest, and made 16 first downs to Concordia’ 14. However, Bishop’s took 19 penalties for 153 yards, while Concordia was whistled nine times for 70 yards and the Gaiters turned the ball over four times to the Stingers’ three.

Andrews led the Gaiters’ offence with 263 yards passing on 21-for-35. He threw one touchdown and had two interceptions. He also led the Gaiters in rushing with eight carries for 32 yards. For Concordia, Robert Mackay went 18-for-32 for 198 yards with a touchdown. Mike Donnelly led the Stingers’ rushers, with 13 carries for 37 yards.

Defensively, Mathieu Boulay (Magog, Que.) led the Gaiters with 5.5 tackles, including five tackles for loss and a sack. Alex Lemire led Concordia with 7.5 tackles and a pass knocked down.

The Gaiters (0-1) return to action on Saturday, September 11, as they visit the McGill Redmen (0-0) at Molson Stadium at 1 p.m. Concordia is next in action on the same day and time, as they will host the Montreal Carabins (1-0).

Source:

Bishop's Sports Info