Box Score HAMILTON, Ont.
— At Ron Joyce Stadium on Saturday evening, the Marauders (1-2) were in search of their first win of the season and found what they were looking for. In front of their home crowd, McMaster defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues (1-2) 32-3.
At the seven-minute mark, the visitors were first to get on the board, taking a 3-0 lead after converting a 39-yard field goal. The Marauders then found their stride when fifth-year player
Drake Bodi (Hamilton, Ont.) intercepted a Blues pass, setting up McMaster at Toronto's 21-yard line. Unfortunately, the Marauders could not find the end zone and settled for a
Michael Horvat (Hamilton, Ont.) field goal.
The Marauders pushed their advantage to 10-3 at the beginning of the second quarter. The special teams unit claimed great field position off a visitor's punt. To score the first touchdown of the game,
Keagan Hall (Burlington, Ont.) found
Jackson Taylor (Hamilton, Ont.) deep in the end zone. This score marked first-year Taylor's second receiving touchdown of the season. Horvat followed with another kick through the uprights, giving the Marauders a 13-3 lead at 4:45 in the second quarter.
On their final drive of the first half, the Marauders appeared unstoppable. Hall connected with
Jackson Cooling (Burlington, Ont.) on a couple of quick hitters over the middle. Running back
Brayden Kelly (Hamilton, Ont.) then found a hole at the line of scrimmage, bringing the Marauders within striking distance. Ultimately, McMaster capitalized on their dominant drive as Hall found third-year
James Priestner (Burlington, Ont.) on a slant route to add seven to McMaster's total. After the first 30 minutes, the Birds led 20-3.
During the opening drive of the second half, Hall found
Everett Reid (Winnipeg, Man.) on a screen pass. Reid gained great field position on his after-the-catch run, which led to Horvat's third field goal of the game. The Marauders showed no mercy to the Blues' offense, adding two more points by forcing a safety. Second-year Isiah Shields (Caledonia, Ont.) also made his mark in the fourth quarter, recording an interception and a forced fumble.
The cherry on top came from a
Lucas Barresi (Hamilton, Ont.) touchdown. Barresi leaped over the pile at the one-yard line to score. This dominating 32-3 victory for the Marauders offers great hope for a promising McMaster season.
