HAMILTON – With just 19 seconds left on the clock, Brian Devlin connected on a 32-yard field goal, giving the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks a 24-23 win over the Saskatchewan Huskies and their second ever National Title.

The game was played in front of 16,827 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton. The majority of the raucous crowd clad in Purple and Gold. Golden Hawks supporters didn't leave disappointed, as the Hawks became only the 10th team in Canadian University history to finish a season undefeated (12-0).

"What a fantastic way for the seniors to end their careers," said Pyear. "This is a dream come true. To think that only three years ago we were 1-7, this is simply unbelievable."

Pyear, a First-Team All-Canadian, ended his Laurier career in storybook fashion. Just last week he was named MVP of the Uteck Bowl and today he was named as the winner of the Ted Morris Trophy as MVP; finishing 20 for 30 over 254 yards and three touchdowns.

Both team started out tentative, getting a feel for each other's game, as a battle of the defenses produced an 8-7 score at halftime. However, that was short-lived as both teams opened up their offensive playbooks entering the third quarter.

Laurier's Nick Cameron and Saskatchewan's David Stevens entered the game as the top two rushers in Canada and both had big games for their respective teams. Cameron gave the Hawks a 15-7 lead in the third, which was answered by a six yard run by Stevens five minutes later. Following a failed two point attempt, the Hawks entered the final frame up 15-13.

A Braden Suchan field goal put the Dogs up by one and the set the stage for one of the most dramatic finishes in Vanier Cup history.

Who else, but the Canada West MVP, David Stevens, to lead the Huskies down the stretch. The Hawks were able to hold him until the seven minute mark when he busted an 85 yard run, giving Saskatchewan a 23-15 lead that looked almost insurmountable. Stevens finished with 240 yards from scrimmage and 3 touchdowns.

On the subsequent drive, the Hawks answered with an 11 play, 45 yard drive, capped of by 10 yard pass from Ryan Pyear to Bryon Hickey, pulling the Hawks to 23-21, after a two point conversion failed.

The defense held the Huskies the rest of the way, and the Hawk offense found themselves with great filed position and a chance to win the game. On a crucial third down and 16, Ryan Pyear, who has been clutch all season found Dante Luciani over the middle – one yard past the first down marker.

"I am so proud of these guys," said Hawks Head Coach and Manager of Football Operations Gary Jeffries. "We said all season that after last year's loss in the Uteck Bowl our only goal was to win the Vanier Cup, and we made it happen."

"These guys showed so much character," continued Jeffries. "When we missed the two-point convert, we could have been down. But our defense stepped up once again, and we kept fighting."

A few plays later, Brian Devlin hit the biggest field goal in Golden Hawk Football history.

Lost in all of the dramatics at the end of the game was the performance of the Hawk defense, which was reliable as usually. David Montoya led the way, playing an inspired game and being named as the winner of the Bruce Coulter Trophy winner as the defensive MVP. He finished with two tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery.

A number of fifth-year players have been together since Laurier's 1-7 season, which seems longer than 3 years ago. Now they can end their careers as champions:

QB – Ryan Pyear #7
RB – Nick Cameron #32
RB – Bryon Hickey #20
RB – Dan McBride #36
SB – Andrew Agro #3
WR – Mike Maurice #4
OL – Mitch Zappitelli #57
OL – Erkki Salo #63
DT – Kyle Armour #95
DT – Adrian Houwer #55
DB – Ian Logan #16
DB – Jeff Smeaton #26
K – Brian Devlin #18

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

WLU – 3:29 Brian Devlin, rouge (missed 30-yard field goal), 1-0

Second Quarter

SASK – 2:35 David Stevens, 1-yard run (Braden Suchan, convert), 7-1
WLU – 5:18 Andy Baechler, 23-yard pass from Ryan Pyear (Brian Devlin, convert), 8-7

Third Quarter

WLU – 8:31 Nick Cameron, 5-yard pass from Ryan Pyear (Brian Devlin, convert), 15-7
SASK – 13:54 David Stevens, 6-yard pass from Steve Bilan (missed 2-point convert), 15-13

Fourth Quarter

SASK – 2:19 Braden Suchan, 41-yard field goal, 16-15
SASK – 8:14 David Stevens, 85-yard run, 23-15
WLU – 12:07 Bryon Hickey, 10-yard pass from Ryan Pyear (failed 2-point convert), 23-21
WLU – 14:41 Brian Devlin, 32-yard field goal, 24-23