Box Score HAMILTON - The No. 6 McMaster Marauders registered six interceptions and scored 22 second half points to knock off the No. 9 ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees 35-22 on Sunday evening at Ron Joyce Stadium.   

McMaster's defence provided the punch, registering eight fourth quarter points, including an interception return for a touchdown and a forced safety. Along with the six interceptions, they also had seven sacks to provide no breathing room for Ottawa in a 13-point win.

Head Coach Stef Ptaszek was very complimentary of his defence's play over the opening two weeks of the OUA football season. 

"Ottawa has a very good quarterback and a couple good receivers. That [McMaster] secondary has been pretty awesome two weeks in a row, and again that's good context," said Ptaszek. "That feels like it's going to be a good strength for the football team."

Highlighting the defensive play was Josh Cumber, who is quickly making a making a name for himself as a pickoff artist in the OUA. Cumber, a first-year defensive back, who replaced injured fourth-year starter Ben Cross in Week 1, intercepted Buettner twice, and now has three picks over his first two games of the season to lead the OUA.

Cumber, a native of Cambridge, Ont., who was red-shirted with McMaster last year, has a grounded view on his success in opening his rookie season. 

"It really sucks to see [Cross] going down," said Cumber. "But at that point, when you're next up you can't really be nervous. You have to be prepared for every situation and it all comes down to preparation.  Coach [Scott] Brady (Defensive Coordinator) always has us ready so he makes sure I'm not nervous." 

Key defensive plays were the main focus of the game for McMaster. Down 15-13 in the third quarter, fifth-year linebacker Eric Blake set up a lead-changing touchdown, intercepting Ottawa's Sawyer Buettner at the Gee-Gees 21-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Andreas Dueck hit Tyson Middlemost on a 14-yard strike to hand the Marauders a lead they would not relinquish. 

Defensive lineman Enoch Penney-Laryea iced the game with just over a minute to play on a five-yard interception return for a touchdown. Penney-Laryea was able to gather a pass tipped by linebacker Nate Edwards and make an easy dash to the endzone, sealing the game at 35-22.

Noah Hallett also stood out, chipping in with an interception and two sacks of his own to go along with five solo tackles. Blake and Hallett each had at least one sack and an interception in the Marauders defensive gem. 

Although the offence may not have fired on all cylinders today, Ptaszek credited his defence for allowing them to stick to their gameplan.

"When you have a championship defence, you can be a little more conservative [on offence], and can afford two and outs and you can play field position the way they've been playing since week one. That's going to be a very viable way to win a football game."

Offensively, McMaster quarterback Dueck tossed two touchdowns in the win and finished with 247 yards on 25 completions. Tommy Nield caught Dueck's opening touchdown pass to give McMaster a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter. 

SOBERING MOMENT: A lengthy delay in the fourth quarter saw Ottawa quarterback Sawyer Buettner stretchered off the field after a hit by McMaster's Mario Alyas. Ben Maracle completed the game under centre.

BY THE NUMBERS: 

21 - First downs McMaster registered in the game compared to Ottawa's 16. 

82 - rushing yards totalled by McMaster. Justice Allin 32 rushing yards led McMaster while Dueck had 28.

144 - Yards Ottawa receiver Carter Matheson hauled in against the Marauder defence. He was the only notable offensive player for the Gee-Gees in the game. 

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Place kicker Adam Preocanin continued to move his name up the record books on Sunday, taking sole possession of third in McMaster's all-time career field goals list. Heading into the game, the fourth-year Burlington, Ont., native was tied with Rob Deluca (1985-1988) with 53 field goals and notched two more. He now trails Mike Ray (2000-2004) by four field goals, who sits second with 59. Tyler Crapigna, who is now playing for the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts holds the all-time Marauders record with 84 field goals.

UP NEXT: The McMaster Marauders will host the No. 2 Western Mustangs at Ron Joyce Stadium on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 1:00pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at: www.maruaders.ca/tickets. Western opened the season last week with a 32-19 win over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. They will play Queen's on Monday at 7:30pm in London.