Rivalry Renewed: Gaels visit Mustangs in Western’s 100th anniversary Homecoming

The Western Mustangs have produced a compelling video to commemorate their 100th anniversary of interuniversity athletics, released just two days before their important Homecoming clash with the Queen's Gaels in football (Saturday, 1 p.m. EST, Sportsnet360 - full preview below) and the festivities that will surround the milestone.

The Mustangs, averaging 661 yards per game on offence, are arguably coming off their worst performance of the season.

In this year's Queen's-Western installment of what I'd argue is the CIS's greatest football rivalry, Greg Marshall's Western Mustangs are the clear favourite (I'm going with 10 points), despite losing the services of starting tailback Garret Sanvido (ankle) in the first half of last weekend’s closer-than-it-should-have-been win over Laurier.

Western has depth at the running back position (as many of Marshall’s previous teams also enjoyed) at running back including Yannick Harou and freshman Adam Sinclair, along with versatile slotback Matt Uren.

But they also have the X Factor: they have Will Finch. The sophomore sensation, Finch is the best pivot in the nation (119 for 161, 1884 yards, 15 touchdowns).

The Gaels defence has allowed just over 1,000 passing yards this season and will be faced with a significant challenged with the Finch-led offence that features a strong running game, play-action and a mobile, tough-as-nails attitude.

“Anything over 70% at this level is pretty good,” said Gaels head coach Pat Sheahan. “They have a strong running game and use it to create play action, they have prepped him (Finch) and keep him in high percentage situations. And he's executed very well.”

“They always a play or two they have left for Queen's. Some interesting razzle-dazzle play they’ll run,” Sheahan added. “It should be a great game, and it’s as good as it gets in this country, at the very least in this province. And this year it’s a special celebration with it being Homecoming and the 100th year, with extra seats brought in and a sellout.”

It’s the perfect atmosphere for two historic rivals. These two programs, even with the injuries, are among the best in the modern era of OUA football and are a fitting rivalry to be featured on national television, especially in the wake of the epic Laval-Montreal contest last Sunday won 16-9 by the No. 1 ranked Rouge et Or over the No. 4 ranked Carabins.

Queen's comes in following a tight road win at Ottawa last weekend and they also have 2013 wins over No. 9 McMaster, Windsor and York. They lost their last game at a Western Homecoming in a highly hyped 46-10 drubbing in 2010.

And despite a perfect 5-0 start, averaging 61 points per game in wins over No. 9 McMaster, Ottawa, Carleton, Toronto and Laurier, Marshall’s Mustangs are not looking past Queen’s and believe they’ll be in for a battle.

“They are very well coached,” Marshall said of the Gaels. “They are going to be very well-prepared and (the Queen’s) players are very smart. They work their system well and on top of that, they are very athletic.”

Queen’s will be led offensively by quarterback Billy McPhee and have the services of fifth-year senior running back Ryan Granberg who has proven to provide challenges for the Mustangs in past years.

“For our defence, it’s a really good challenge,” Marshall said. “If we are going to be a great football team, we have to be more consistent on defence. Queen’s will certainly provide that challenge for us this weekend.”

Queen’s has been preparing to handle the anticipated noise challenges they’ll face at Western.

“It’s a big game. Both teams are undefeated and Western is a formidable opponent with a tremendous offence,” said Sheahan. They are highly productive. At times, they seem to be scoring at will, and they have lots of weapons. And they have a disciplined zone-type defence – they like to keep things in front and they make big plays… Western can score in bunches and we cannot afford to have back to back two and outs.”

“It should be great. It should be electric,” Sheahan added. “This is the time of year you want your team's weapons to show up. We're due for a breakout day and we're hoping that's going to happen over the next couple of weeks.”

“There’s no jitters here, there’s excitement,” Shehan added. “Our guys have been looking forward to this game. Queen's-Western games are part of large volume and this is their chapter. They are pretty excited about it.”

“We've taken measures to prepare for this hostile environment, if you will,” Sheahan said. “Those are really fun environments to play in. Everyone's cheering against you – and that can sometimes bring out the best in your team. Good teams win games on the road. Great teams win games in adverse conditions.”

“It's a great challenge in front of us. Our guys just need to go down there and play their best game of the season.”

Four Other Story Lines of Interest:

• Battle of Burlington QBs: This contest features two Burlington, Ont., boys in Queen’s Billy McPhee and Western’s Will Finch.

• Kicking for Keeps: Western kicker Lirim Hajrullahu has 81 points through five games, (16 per game) and is sitting at 373 career points, only 37 shy of Neil Lumsden’s CIS all-time record of 410, set in 1975.

• Running of the Mustangs: Freshman running back Adam Sinclair and Yannick Harou will be in tough against a tough Gaels’ front seven including linebacker and former OUA rookie of the year Sam Sabourin (Stittsville, Ont.).

• Under Pressure: The Gaels have 17 sacks in just four games and will give the Mustangs offensive line and blocking backs a true test.