THE LOW-DOWN
The #3 Golden Hawks head into the playoffs as the second seed in the OUA after finishing the regular season 7-1, their best record since 2005.
Waterloo, meanwhile, needed a win and a Guelph loss in week 9 in order to secure the final playoff spot. Neither outcome looked likely entering the fourth quarter of those respective games, but the Warriors scored 13 unanswered points while Carleton scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes against the Gryphons to flip the script, and set up a battle of Waterloo quarterfinal matchup.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Laurier dominated in this year's regular season meeting, taking a 47-20 victory at home. Taylor Elgersma threw for 318 yards on 20-27 passing and found five different receivers for five touchdowns through the air.
To find the last playoff matchup between the cross-town rivals, you have to go all the way back to the 1999 Yates Cup final. Waterloo took that game 32-20, marking the last time they've lifted the trophy.
SATURDAY STORYLINES
Waterloo Warriors
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Arguably the key to Western's victory over Laurier last week was the constant pressure they threw at Elgersma. Waterloo has been very effective rushing the quarterback this season, ranking third in the OUA in sacks with 20.
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The Warriors ran the ball more than any other team except for Queen's this year. Their rushing attack – led by rookie standout Quinten Springer – is the focal point of their offence, but they'll be up against a Laurier team that's allowed only 114.8 yards per game on the ground.
Laurier Golden Hawks
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A slow start proved costly against the Mustangs, as the Golden Hawks struggled to move the ball early. They'll look to repeat their start against Waterloo from earlier this year, when they scored four unanswered touchdowns in the first quarter and change.
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After being held to 11 and 20 points in their opening two contests, the purple and gold have scored 30 or more in each of their contests since. They face one of only two defenses to allow more than 30 points per game on average.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Waterloo Warriors
OFFENCE
James Basalyga has been one of the best receivers in the OUA this year. He finished the regular season fifth in the conference with 657 yards, thanks in large part to 156-yard and 109-yard performances in the final two games.
DEFENCE
Over half of Waterloo's aforementioned sack total came from one Tyson Hergott. The star defensive lineman got to the quarterback 11 times, good for second in the conference, while leading the province with 14 tackles.
Laurier Golden Hawks
OFFENCE
Basalyga isn't the only receiver entering this game on a hot streak. Ethan Jordan claimed the receiving yards crown with a 172-yard game against Western, bringing his season total to 749. Close behind him in fourth place with 663 was teammate Raidan Thorne.
DEFENCE
Making his OUA playoff debut will be likely OUA rookie of the year Ethan Gregorcic. The linebacker made an immediate impression with a game-winning interception in just his second regular season contest, so don't expect any growing pains in this game.
