THE LOW-DOWN 

The hype train hasn't stopped churning for the #3 Golden Hawks this season. They started the season 7-0 and earned their best record since 2007, quarterback Taylor Elgersma broke program and conference records, and the first playoff battle of Waterloo of the 21st century saw Laurier's most dominant win over their crosstown rivals on record, as they shutout the Warriors 69-0. 

Now, the Golden Hawks need just one win to get back to the Yates Cup final for the first time since 2017. Riding into University Stadium are the #9 Windsor Lancers. Their season's been just as remarkable, and last week the program earned their first playoff win in 48 years in a 14-11 defensive battle over Carleton that was any team's game until the final minutes. 

There hasn't been a game with higher stakes in a long time for either of these teams. 

HEAD-TO-HEAD 

The Golden Hawks shut down Windsor's run game and picked apart the top-ranked defence in U SPORTS at the time for a 40-7 victory in week 8.  

Based on his comments last week, however, it's safe to say Golden Hawks head coach Michael Faulds isn't expecting another blowout; "the result in the regular season and had no impact on the result [against Waterloo], and that's going to hold true for every game from here on out." 

Windsor's last playoff win before beating Carleton came against Laurier in the 1975 Yates Cup final, the Lancers only Yates Cup win. 

The last playoff meeting between these two teams came on Halloween night in the 1987 OUA semifinals.

SATURDAY STORYLINES 

The key to victory in the regular season for the Golden Hawks was shutting down the Lancers' dangerous rushing attack. Lead back Joey Zorn was held to just nine yards on six attempts while his team managed only 99 yards rushing in total. 

Carleton was also able to contain Windsor on the ground, holding them to 110 yards and no touchdowns. If the Lancers struggle to get their run game established again, it will be tough for them to score against one of the best defences in the country. 

Meanwhile, Laurier's offensive line is coming off likely their best game of the season, in which they held Tyson Hergott and the Waterloo defensive without a sack. The Lancers boast an even more dangerous pass rush, and led the country in sacks in the regular season with 34. 

Finding a crack in the wall and putting pressure on Elgersma is Windsor's best hope at slowing down an offence that looks virtually unstoppable right now. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Laurier Golden Hawks  

OFFENCE 

#2 – Tanner Nelmes and #14 – Quentin Scott 

With their passing attack rightly attracting tons of attention this season, it's almost easy to forget the Golden Hawks have two of the best ball-carriers in the OUA in their backfield. Nelmes had a career-high 155 yards in last week's quarterfinal, including a 55-yard touchdown run. 

Scott, meanwhile, has built a reputation for elevating his game in the playoffs, and was unsurprisingly excellent against Waterloo. He had 90 yards rushing and added 68 yards on two receptions, as well, scoring a touchdown on the ground and another through the air. 

DEFENCE 

#25 – Johari Hastings 

Golden Hawks fans are used to seeing #25 make big plays on defence, and Hasting has been a perfect fit in the defensive half-back slot once occupied by Shomari Hutchinson. The transfer from Simon Fraser University had two interceptions last week against the Warriors, adding to his two in the regular season. 

Windsor Lancers 

OFFENCE 

#7 – Danny Skelton and #17 – Nick Dimovski 

Skelton has been the guy for Windsor all year, throwing for 1,712 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season. After throwing three interceptions against Carleton, however, he was pulled for Dimovski, who threw a beautiful pass for the game-winning touchdown with four minutes remaining. The Lancers have not named a starter at the time of writing. 

DEFENCE 

#99 – Muftah Ageli and #6 – Kolade Amusan 

Both Ageli and Amusan are dangerous enough on their own, but it's the combined threat they pose on the defensive line that makes life tough on opposing quarterbacks. That was evident against Carleton, when they teamed up for a sack before Ageli scooped up a fumble that Amusan forced on a later sack.  

Ageli was last week's U SPORTS defensive Player of the Week, while Amusan led the OUA with 11.5 sacks this season.