THE LOW-DOWN

U SPORTS #1 Western vs U SPORTS #3 Laurier. 7-0 vs 7-0. An undefeated season, first place in the OUA, a first-round playoff bye, and home field advantage in a potential Yates Cup rematch on the line. "It all comes down to this" is an understatement.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• Western has been characteristically dominant in this matchup, taking 40 of their 56 meetings with Laurier going back to 1971, including the last seven.
• The Golden Hawks last victory over the Mustangs came in the 2016 Yates Cup final, in which they mounted a thrilling comeback – trailing 40-19 with eight minutes remaining before winning on a last-play field goal.
• Laurier has not beaten Western in a regular season game since 2006. The quarterback for Western in that game was Golden Hawks head coach Michael Faulds.

SATURDAY STORYLINES

• The Golden Hawks have not finished a regular season 8-0 since 2005. They'd remain undefeated through the playoffs that season as well, en route to their most recent Vanier Cup.
• The 2016 Yates Cup final is the only time Faulds has defeated his old team and coach, Greg Marshall.
• The Mustangs come into this game leading the OUA with 45.3 points scored per game – 9.3 ahead of second-place Laurier. The Golden Hawks, meanwhile, have allowed the least amount of points at 16.0 per game.
• Along with a first-round bye and guaranteed home field advantage, the winner of this game also earns themselves a likely semifinal matchup with #8 Queen's, who came exactly one play away from beating both Laurier and Western in their respective regular season meetings.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Laurier Golden Hawks

OFFENCE

#13 – Taylor Elgersma

• Another prize up for grabs in this game is the OUA MVP award. Taylor Elgersma is in the midst of arguably the greatest season by a Golden Hawks quarterback, and he'll make it official when he passes Bill Kubas for the most passing yards in a single season in program history (he needs just 26 to do so).

DEFENCE

#52 – Ethan Gregorcic and #5 – Ife Onyemenam

• Staying on our awards watch, the heart of Laurier's defence this season has been the linebacker duo of Ethan Gregorcic and Ife Onyemenam. Gregorcic, with his 4.6 tackles per game and two interceptions, has all but locked up OUA rookie of the year. 
• Meanwhile, the fifth-year Onyemenam's 5.1 tackles per game, five tackles for loss, and OUA-leading three interceptions have him firmly in the race for defensive player of the year.

Western Mustangs

OFFENCE

#1 – Evan Hillock

• Elgersma's competition for MVP is Mustang's pivot Evan Hillock. He leads the OUA with 18 touchdown passes to Elgersma's 16, and ranks second behind him in passing yards (2,112 to 2,272) and completion rate (70.3% to 75.6%).

DEFENCE

#30 – Jackson Findlay

• Tied with Onyemenam for the interceptions lead is third-year defensive back Jackson Findlay, who had a 95-yard pick six against Queen's. He's also tied for second in the conference with five pass break-ups. He and the Mustangs secondary will face the OUA's most prolific passing attack in Laurier (330.0 yards per game).