THE LOW-DOWN
After capturing the program's ninth OUA title, the #2-ranked Golden Hawks travel to Lennoxville, Que., to face the #6 Bishop's Gaiters in the national semifinal Uteck Bowl.
 
The Golden Hawks enter this weekend's contest after taking down their rivals, the #4 Western Mustangs, 51-31 to win their first Yates Cup since 2016. Bishop's, on the other hand, beat the Saint Mary's Huskies 25-22 in a triple overtime thriller, raising the AUS Loney Bowl for the first time in program history.
 
They are the only undefeated teams remaining in U SPORTS.
 
HEAD-TO-HEAD
It has been a long time since the two have met, 57-years to be exact, where the last match-up occurred in 1967 with a 56-0 win for the Golden Hawks in a regular season game when we were both in the Central Canadian Intercollegiate Football Conference.
 
The game is slated to be a duel on every front from the offence to the sidelines.

Starting on the attack, the teams are led by outstanding quarterbacks in Taylor Elgersma and Justin Quirion, who both took home the MVP award in their respective conferences. In the playoffs thus far, Laurier occupies second in total offence, passing and rushing yards, while Bishop's sits one slot behind in those categories.
 
On the defensive end, Bishop's is allowing the least amount of points and passing yards per game, and second in rushing yards allowed per game, with Laurier sitting lower in the statistics sheet. However, when the Laurier hit squad gets hot, they are a force to be reckoned with.
 
The Gaiters special teams unit has been heavily relied upon in the postseason, namely kicker Xavier Gervais who was integral to his side's win against the Huskies. Laurier's Dawson Hodge has not been as busy, reflecting the offensive dominance, but has 24 points through two games. As for the return game, Tayshaun Jackson bullied opponents in the regular season with teams trying to avoid him with trophies on the line. Bishop's has a two-headed monster at return, one designated for each kickoff and punt returns.
 
Both teams feature decorated coaches and support staffs. Laurier's Michael Faulds won his second Yates Cup and back-to-back David "Tuffy" Knight Awards. On the other side, Cherif Nicolas earned the AUS coach of the year award and led the Gaiters to their first ever Loney Bowl championship.
 
SATURDAY STORYLINES
Laurier Golden Hawks
One trophy down, two to go. The Golden Hawks celebrated their ninth Yates Cup championship last weekend, putting on their best performance of the season in front of a sold-out crowd. They basked in the glory, but it was back to business the next day preparing for the Uteck Bowl.
 
The Golden Hawks made their last national semifinal appearance in 2016, entering this weekend with a 4-5 record, looking to break-even and punch their ticket to the Vanier Cup.
 
The stars seem to be aligning for the Laurier squad, this game determining if the group can get one step closer to the golden year of 2005, 19-years later. The Golden Hawks have not had a perfect season since 2005, until now. They have not defeated the Mustangs twice in the same season since 2005, until now. They have not won the Uteck Bowl since 2005, looking to do it now.
 
Bishop's Gaiters
Under Nicolas, the Gaiters football program has completely turned itself around. 2024 marks the third consecutive year above the winning margin dating back to past 2000, respectfully. After not qualifying for the playoffs in their first two years in the AUS, the Gaiters have made it to the Loney Bowl in four of five seasons, finally lifting the trophy a week ago.
 
2024 also marks an undefeated season for Bishop's, not having done so since 1992. Their thriller against the Huskies gives the Gaiters their first national semifinal appearance in 30-years.
 
History, however, is not on the Gaiters side, going 0-5 in national semifinal games. Bishop's look to break the curse against the Golden Hawks and win the program's first Uteck Bowl and make their debut Vanier Cup appearance.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Laurier Golden Hawks
OFFENCE
#2 – Tanner Nelmes and #13 – Taylor Elgersma
Against Western, Nelmes tallied 170 rushing yards - his all-time high - and one touchdown. Against a tough Gaiters defence, Nelmes will have to use his offensive line and brute strength to put his team in optimal positions and get points on the board. Elgersma, two-time OUA MVP, has 654 passing yards and seven touchdowns in two playoff games. The Golden Hawks need both phases of the offence locked in and at their best to win.
 
DEFENCE
#47 – Marcus Tenney and the entire defensive unit
Tenney had four tackles, two sacks, and one pass break-up last weekend, and the whole defence put on a clinic. Against this Bishop's team, Tenney's ability to get to the quarterback and the defence's prowess in forcing two-and-outs will put pressure on the Gaiters' offence, especially if they fail to protect their pivot - allowing three sacks last weekend - and have a loose handle on the ball - losing four fumbles against Saint Mary's.
 
Bishop's Gaiters
OFFENCE
#27 – David Chaloux
Chaloux has made up the bulk of the Gaiters rushing attack throughout the playoffs. He has a total of 207 rushing yards and two touchdowns, 160-yards coming in the game against Saint Mary's and had his side's only touchdown.
 
DEFENCE
#2 – Alex MacDonald
MacDonald, the AUS defensive player of the year, troubled the Huskies last weekend. He had 8.5 tackles to lead the team, forced four lost yards, one interception, and one pass break-up.
 
WHERE TO WATCH
For Golden Hawks fans looking to catch the action at home, Wilf's Pub is hosting a watch party on campus, streams are available on CBC Gem and CBCSports.ca, or tune into @WLUAthletics on X for live updates!