WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks (5-0) showed why they are the #6-ranked team in the nation in Saturday's contest with the McMaster Marauders (1-4), recording a staggering 589 yards of total offense in a decisive 36-9 victory.
 
Laurier, one of just six undefeated teams remaining across U SPORTS, was dominant on the offense, recording 33 first downs, 466 passing yards and five touchdowns.
 
Despite the outcome, the Marauders held strong throughout the first half, and entered the halftime break with a 9-7 lead. From there, it was all Golden Hawks, with the hosts finding the endzone four times in the second half alone while holding McMaster scoreless in the final two quarters of play.
 
McMaster's defence produced one interception, forced one fumble and took down Laurier quarterback, Taylor Elgersma, three times for a sack. The Marauders were led by leading tackler, Drake Bodi, who finished the game with eight solo tackles and one assisted. He averages 5.9 tackles per game.
 
Veteran defensive linemen Mitch Price, Ryan Leder and Owen Hubert were credited with the Marauders' sacks while combining for eight and a half tackles.
 
On the offense, the Marauders struggled to move the ball, recording just 11 first downs throughout the match-up, forcing Michael Horvat to punt it away eleven times.  Jackson Cooling had three receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown while Everett Reid also contributed 44 yards on three catches. Brayden Kelly was the lead rusher for the Marauders with six carries. Third-year quarterback, Keagan Hall, completed 14 of 32 passes for 165 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

With just three weeks remaining in the 2023 OUA regular season for the Marauders, McMaster will look to regroup ahead of next Saturday's road contest with the Toronto Varsity Blues which will be played at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.