WATERLOO, Ont. - The #1-ranked Golden Hawks took care of business on Friday's Senior Night against the Carleton Ravens, improving to 7-0 with the 55-12 win. Carleton's 12 points were the fewest they have scored on the season. Â
It was not a smooth opening few minutes for the home side as they took three penalties worth 20-yards. However, the Laurier defense, like they have done all season, bent but did not break with the Ravens only managing to come away with a 20-yard field goal and 3-0 lead four minutes in. Â
The Ravens ran into penalty trouble on Laurier's second drive, conceding 30-yards on two unnecessary roughness flags. The Golden Hawks took advantage, and took the 7-3 lead, as Tayshaun Jackson followed his offensive line up the middle and into the end zone. Â
The second quarter saw the rain start to pick up, but the Golden Hawks were unfazed, matching the rain by pouring on the points; a season high 25 points, to be exact. Â
It all started with Paul Loggale who came out of nowhere and read the play to perfection, forcing a two-and-out. Â
On first and 10 at the Carleton 19, Cal Wither found Jaxon Stebbings on the slant, and was one step shy of the endzone, being chopped down at the one-yard line on a last-ditch effort that delayed the inevitable. Â
With the heavy unit on the field, backed by Will Russell, the offensive line once again did their jobs as Russell followed the path and thundered into the end zone for the 14-3 lead. Â
The Golden Hawks forced another two-and-out that put Wither and company back out and ready for more. It only took the Golden Hawks five plays to collect another major, and while Wither's first option in Ethan Jordan was held off the score sheet, Ryan Hughes definitely was not. Â
At 7:16, Wither had the time and space to find Hughes, who was too fast for his defender, and came down with the 16-yard touchdown pass and a 21-3 lead. Â
Carleton's offense kept struggling as Laurier's defense kept flexing their muscles. The Ravens had not been able to cross the half-way point of the field all quarter and were desperate to do so. Â
On third and a long one, the Ravens gambled and went for it, but they were met by a flock of Hawks led by Loggale and turned the ball over on their own 47-yard line. Â
Both sides exchanged penalties, but it was the Ravens that came out worse for wear. Darion Bacik-Hadden refused to be brought down by a couple of Ravens and powered 18-yards into first and goal territory. Â
It was like you were watching a replay of Wither's and Hughes's first touchdown as Hughes again left his cover-man strides behind him, and all Wither had to do was drop in the pass. The Golden Hawks were in front 28-3 with 2:35 remaining. Â
Dawson Hodge went on to force a rouge and then nailed a 26-yard field goal for a score of 32-3 at the half. Â
The Ravens were able to shut out the Golden Hawks in the third quarter, while scoring their first, and only, touchdown of the game and tacked on a safety for a three-score deficit going into the fourth quarter. Â
Laurier was back and firing in the final frame, and they did not take long to make up for a scoreless third. Â
Wither and Stebbings started things off with a 30-yard gain that set up Bacik-Hadden's first rushing touchdown of the season. Â
Carleton conceded the safety on their next drive, putting Laurier's lead to 41-12. Â
Jackson carried his team down field with 41 of Laurier's 75-yards on a seven-play drive before Hughes scored his third touchdown of the game and 48-12 lead. Â
Wither and Hughes were dynamic despite the conditions. Wither ended his day with 307 passing yards and three touchdowns, putting him at 21 and two back of Bill Kubas's record of 23 regular season majors set in 1994.Â
Hughes, on the other hand, had a season high 102 receiving yards and was on the end of all of Wither's touchdown passes for his second multi-touchdown game of the season, and now sits third in the OUA with seven scores. Â
With Wither on the sidelines, Isaac Willis came in and put the game away, connecting with first-year receiver Kaden Kublinskas for his first touchdown as a Golden Hawk, and Willis's first touchdown pass since 2023. Â
The Golden Hawks were able to give their seniors a memorable final regular season home game and put up 50 or more points for the second consecutive game. Â
UP NEXTÂ
The Golden Hawks travel down the 401 to face their rivals in the #2 Western Mustangs for a highly anticipated Yates Cup rematch. Â
This game carries playoff implications as both teams are the only undefeated squads remaining in U SPORTS, with the victor earning a spot in the semifinals. Â
Kickoff is set for 1pm on Saturday, October 18. Â
