THE LOW-DOWN 

The #2-ranked Golden Hawks host the Windsor Lancers for their 2025 home opener. The purple and gold came away with a narrow victory over Guelph in week one, while the Lancers had the first week bye.  

HEAD-TO-HEAD 

The Golden Hawks have not hosted the Lancers in a home opening game since 2011 where Windsor won by a single point, 41-40.  

Since 2016, the Golden Hawks are on an eight-game winning streak over Windsor, including a semifinal win in 2023.  

Last season in Windsor, Laurier secured the number one seed in the OUA with a 33-26 victory that was powered by a huge 21-point second quarter.  

SATURDAY STORYLINES 

Laurier Golden Hawks 

"We know we need to get a heck of a lot better, but it's nice to know you need to get better after going 1-0," manager of football operations and head coach Michael Faulds said following last week's game. 

It was a tough test a week ago, and this Saturday promises to be the same. Cal Wither has seemed to settle in, throwing for 243-yards and three touchdowns with a 64% completion rate. The Golden Hawks will need his arm to be accurate as last season's matchup saw the Lancers struggle to defend through the air.  

If Laurier's home opener will be anything like their previous meeting with Windsor, both trenches are going to have to be strong. Offensive line coach Zach Scotto and defensive coordinator Ron VanMoerkerke have plenty of depth to work with on both ends in what will likely be a war of attrition.  

Windsor Lancers 

With the first week bye, the Lancers are entering the game as fresh as they will be all season. It was no secret that last year's Lancers were a rush heavy team, having the league's third-best running attack in the yards per game category.  

Where one offensive front was strong, the other struggled. The Lancers were last in pass yards per game while sitting in the middle of the pack in both points per game and total offense. 

The defense is what made the difference for the Windsor squad; albeit if you exclude the pass defense. The Lancers were neck-and-neck with Laurier for the league's fewest rushing yards allowed, and they led the league in sacks and fumble recoveries.  

Windsor will also be in tough as the Golden Hawks have had their number in recent years, and the Lancers are 1-5 at Knight-Newbrough Field since 2009.  

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Laurier Golden Hawks 

OFFENSE 

#4 – Ethan Jordan and #23 – Tayshaun Jackson 

Jordan made Withers's job easy against Guelph, showing why he's a two-time All-Canadian and All-Star receiver as he had 123 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Last season against Windsor, Jordan had two touchdowns and was one of five receivers with double-digit yards.  

The Lancers, especially Brady Lidster, have a not so fond memory of Jackson. Jackson returned the missed field goal for 120-yards, sparking the Golden Hawks' 21-point second quarter. Last week against Guelph, Jackson had a team-high 76 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with a 70-yard kickoff return.  

Both Jordan and Jackson will need to make big impacts for the Golden Hawks to go 2-0.  

DEFENSE 

#2 – Jessie Wilkins and #52 – Ethan Gregorcic 

Wilkins described his relationship with Gregorcic as being like "salt and pepper." The two need to mix perfectly on Saturday for the Laurier hit squad to have success.  

Wilkins was a force on defense all last year and earned himself the captaincy this year. Against Guelph, he had a team-high 8.5 tackles with seven of those solo, marking a new career high.  

Gregorcic started right where he left off with 5.5 tackles and a crucial fourth quarter interception. In Windsor last season, he also had 5.5 tackles with 1 of those for loss.  

Windsor Lancers 

OFFENSE 

#8 – Joey Zorn 

Zorn has been the cornerstone of Windsor's rushing attack during his tenure as a Lancer. Zorn was fourth in the OUA and inside the top 15 in U SPORTS in rushing yards with 684. He also had 131 receiving yards and combined for 113 return yards on the special teams unit.  

Despite his abilities, his opponents were able to keep him out of the endzone in all of 2024.  

DEFENSE 

#25 – Robert Springer 

The first team All-Canadian and OUA All-Star led the league in interceptions and pass break ups with four and seven, respectively.  

Springer missed last year's matchup against the Golden Hawks.