Hamilton (September 21, 2019) - Andreas Dueck tossed three touchdowns and passed for a career high 389 yards to lead the McMaster Marauders to a 47-19 win over the Windsor Lancers on Saturday at Ron Joyce Stadium.
Dueck eclipsed his old mark of 384 yards (vs. Western on Sept. 7) midway through the fourth quarter before being relieved with the score sitting at 37-13. His three passing touchdowns in the game equalled a career mark he set against Toronto last year.
Five different Marauders scored touchdowns in the win, with Justice Allin and Xander Tachinski getting McMaster on the board in the first quarter. Allin scored on a 29-yard pass from Dueck and Tachinski on a 16-yard strike from the third-year pivot.
Tyson Middlemost scored what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the second quarter with Jordan Lyons and Liam Putt adding the final two. Kicker Adam Preocanin made four field goals in the win.
Middlemost also had a career day, notching 119 yards on just three receptions. His previous high was 112 yards, which he achieved against Western this season. He managed that on five completions.
Tommy Nield was Dueck's top target, registering 127 yards on seven receptions. For Windsor, Carson Ouellett matched Nield's output with 127 yards on 11 receptions.
"Our plan this week was to take our shots [at the end zone] early, said Dueck. "We haven't really taken a lot of shots in the first four games and today it worked out."
Head Coach Stefan Ptaszek believes the comfort level between him and his offence is in a good place
"I think we're all getting used to each other and knowing when we've got a sense for what we can do. I think that receiving corps and [Dueck] have a great relationship."
McMaster exploded out of the gate, opening the game with 24 points before the Lancers responded with a 17-yard field goal at 5:04 of the second quarter.
The hosts led 27-3 at the half, and were never challenged despite Windsor putting up 16 points in the final two quarters. Six of those points came on a 99-yard punt return by Windsor's Ouelette, who used quick footwork to dash down the field for a special team score.
Windsor's quarterback Sam Girard finished the game with 298 yards and one touchdown pass.
The win improves McMaster's record to 4-1. Combined with the Guelph Gryphons losing 9-3 against the No. 1 nationally ranked Western Mustangs, the Marauders now have sole possession of second place in the OUA football standings. Windsor drops to 1-4 and a tie for 8th place with two points.
LOOK SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS: McMaster had nine penalties (for a total of 82 yards lost) called against them, with three of those penalties negating touchdowns. McMaster had two first half passing touchdowns called back. One was for offensive pass interference and the other offside. The other example occurred in the third quarter, and was called for holding on a punt return.
BY THE NUMBERS:
73 - Andreas Dueck longest pass of the day hitting Tommy Nield late in the third quarter. He also had a 72 yard touchdown pass to Tyson Middlemost in the second quarter which resulted in a 24-0 lead at the time for McMaster.
8 - The number of wins Head Coach Stefan Ptaszek has earned vs. the Windsor Lancers in his McMaster coaching career. Ptaszek has never lost against Winsor holding an 8-0 advantage.
3 - The number of sacks registered by the Marauders defence against Windsor.
36 - Game time temperature with the humidity
KICKING FOR THE BOOKS: Fourth-year kicker Adam Preocanin continues his ascent of the McMaster record books across several kicking and scoring categories this season. Preocanin added 17 points to his career totals to sit in fourth place on the Marauders career points list with 288. He was tied with Derek Livingstone (1997-00) at 271 heading into today's game.
UP NEXT: McMaster will enjoy a bye week and will return to action as they visit the No. 10 University of Toronto Varsity Blues (2-2) on October 5. The game is set for 1:00 p.m. on October 5 at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.The Varsity Blues earned their first national ranking since 1997 this week but lost 36-33 to Queen's on Saturday.
THE LAST WORD: Head Coach Stefan Ptaszek on upcoming bye week:
"The bye week for us is just our core stuff. We're not worried about an OUA opponent just running our core offense, defense, and special teams better. So it's a week to improve our systems. Our student athletes need to get some extra time in the classrooms. We'll do some extra tutoring and studying sessions. So it's about getting our house in order and getting our bodies back a little bit and getting ready."
