Ottawa Rough Riders draft history

With the first full college draft coming up next month for the RedBlacks, this seemed like a good time to restore one of the pages from the old website.

The original source of information for this "all-time" list of Ottawa Rough Riders draft selections was the 2002 Ottawa Renegades media guide.  However, as with much of the information included therein, there were some omissions that I had to add by searching through old newspaper articles.

I also received an e-mail from a gentleman one time who pointed out that while the media guide did not display results for a draft in 1954, there were records of one so I added the names for that year based on the data he provided.

One more thing; in the early years, many of the players selected displayed "end" as their position.  When I copied the list, I changed the abbreviation to "DE" because the French abbreviation that was used was "AD", which I believed to be "ailier défensif" (defensive end), but the player may have lined up on offense or, for that matter, on both sides of the ball.

1996 
03-19) DB Sammie Brennan, Bishop's
04-28) SB Grayson Shillingford, University of British Columbia
05-37) DT/OL Darcy Curtis, Simon Fraser
05-38) OL George Savard, University of Ottawa
06-45) DB Robert McElwain, Windsor
07-54) LB Michael Hendricks, University of Ottawa

1995
Bonus round**:  LB Stefan Reid, Boise State
02-18) OG Stewart Masi, Western Michigan
03-25) OG Keith Hiscock, Simon Fraser
03-27) DB Heron Tait, Guelph
03-31) WR Steve Sarty, St. Mary's
04-33) OT Glenn Fowles, Willamette
04-34) OT Pierre-Paul Dorelien, University of Ottawa
04-39) LB Sean Marriott, St. Mary's
05-41) SB Masaki Konno, Bishop's
05-43) DL Danny Lavallée, Concordia
06-49) OL Michael Simoncic, Concordia
**Additional round for team's who respected the expenditures cap.

1994
01-05) DE Tony Bailey, St. Mary's
01-07) LB Rod Murphy, Idaho State
02-15) RB Mike Malott, Waterloo
03-23) WR Glenn McCausland, University of Toronto
04-31) DT Obie Spanic, Weber State

1993
01-03) DT Paul Yatkowski, Tennessee
02-10) RB Dwight Richards, Weber State
03-18) WR Nigel Levy, Western Ontario
04-26) RB Dean Noel, Delaware State
05-34) OL Jason Moller, Queen's
06-42) OL Fred Marquette, Concordia
07-50) OL James Munroe, Syracuse

1992
01-03) OG Denny Chronopoulos, Purdue
02-11) DB Ken Walcott, St. Mary's
02-16) DB Joe Sardo, Hawaii
03-19) DL Dave Chaytors, Utah
05-35) WR Rob Treblicock, Weber State
06-43) LB Mike Boone, Queen's
07-51) CB Mike Doucette, University of Ottawa
08-59) DB Ian Ployart, Concordia

1991
01-07) OT Brett MacNeil, Boston University
03-19) RB Geoff Mitchell, Weber State
04-27) OG Gerald Hlady, Windsor
05-35) QB Chris Flynn, St Mary's
06-43) OG Sylvanno Turrin, Bishop's
07-51) WR Steve Baillargeon, McGill
08-59) OG Pat Mahon, Western Ontario
SUPP-67) DT Michel Raby, University of Ottawa

1990
04-25) DE Michael Philbrick, Carleton
05-33) OG Al Neufeld, Saskatchewan
06-41) OL Cam Sackschewsky, Calgary
06-48) WR Brett Wilson, University of Ottawa
07-49) DL Jamie Coombs, Carleton
07-56) LB Hagen Mehnert, McGill
08-57) DB Darryl Forde, Western Ontario
08-64) LB Mike Koladich, Western Ontario
SUPP-65) PK Chuck Petitpas, McGill

1989
01-01) SB Gerald Wilcox, Weber State
03-17) DB Sean Foudy, York
04-25) P  Tom Schimmer, Boise State
05-33) OT Nenad Radulovich, Western Ontario
06-41) DB Trent Brown, Alberta
07-49) LB Gord Weber, University of Ottawa
08-57) LB Bob Forest, Carleton

1988
01-01) RB Orville Lee, Simon Fraser
03-22) DL Leon Hatziioannou, Simon Fraser
04-26) WR Sheridon Baptiste, Queen's 
05-33) OT Sieg Will, Guelph
05-34) LB Christopher Rick, Queen's
06-41) PK Brent Matich, Calgary
07-49) OT Scott Warr, McGill
08-57) OT Ray Goerke, Weber State

1987
01-01) OT Leo Groenewegen, UBC
02-10) DB Kyle Hall, Western Ontario
02-12) LB Patrick Wayne, Simon Fraser
04-28) OL Rae Robirtis, UBC
05-37) LB Brent Lewis, Western Ontario
06-46) DL Gary Lehmberg, Simon Fraser
07-55) WR Rick Wolkensperg, Western Ontario
08-64) RB David Waterhouse, University of Ottawa

1986
01-04) OT Mike Schad, Queen's
02-13) TE Bob Harding, York
03-23) DB Church Wust, Acadia
04-29) DE Rob Taylor, University of Toronto
04-31) DE Angus Donnelly, Carleton
06-49) DL Richard Storey, McMaster
07-58) DB Devon Hanson, York
08-67) OT Andre Van Vugt, Windsor

1985
01-01) OT Nick Benjamin, Concordia
02-10) WR Tom Munroe, University of British Columbia
03-19) RB Neri Fratin, University of Ottawa
04-35) DE Marty Palazeti, Marshall
06-46) PK Lance Chomyc, University of Toronto
07-55) RB George Ganas, York
08-64) OL Morris Elfenbaum, Minot State
09-73) QB Craig Kennan, Colorado

1984
TERR-  DT Michael Bourgeau, Boise State
TERR-  OL Jim De Silva, Carleton
01-04) DB Maurice Martin, Toronto
02-13) LB Dan Rashovich, Simon Fraser
03-22) DL Damir Dupin, UNLV
06-49) OL Dan Maganja, York
07-58) DB Mike White, Waterloo
08-67) DB Barry Armstrong, University of Ottawa

1983
TERR-  OT Roger Cattelan, Boston College
TERR-  TE Mike Hudson, Guelph
01-02) LB Steve Harrison, University of British Columbia
02-11) DB Junior Robinson, Guelph
03-20) LB Sam Benincasa, Guelph
04-29) OL John Kane, Michigan Tech
05-38) DB Courtney Taylor, Wilfrid Laurier
06-47) DE Francois Payer, Bishop's
07-56) DE Chris Rhora, Acadia
08-65) WR Don Clow, Acadia

1982
TERR-  DT Mark Seale, Richmond
TERR-  OL/DT Kevin Dalliday, Carleton
TERR-  DB Ron Poulton, McGill
03-26) DB Terry Cahill, East Stroudsberg State
04-35) DB Bruce Milks, Southern Arkansas
05-44) LB Terry Elik, Simon Fraser
06-53) QB Greg Clarke, British Columbia

1981
TERR-  TE John Park, Bowling Green
TERR-  TE Ian Beckstead, Richmond
01-03) RB Maurice Doyle, University of Toronto
02-12) WR Don Burns, University of Ottawa
04-30) DT Eric Boss, University of Toronto
05-39) DB Larry Ring, Bishop's
06-48) OT Anthony Refossco, Toronto
07-57) DL Rob Ball, Queen's

1980
TERR-  SB Gary Cook, Carleton
TERR-  CB Glenn Cook, Richmond
01-06) OL Pat McBride, North Dakota State
02-11) RB Mark Philp, Richmond
02-13) RB Neville Edwards, Western Ontario
04-33) WR Wesley Woof, Wilfrid Laurier
05-42) OT Steve Shubat, York
06-51) TE Mike Szemeredy, University of Toronto
07-60) OG Elwin Morobec, Utah

1979
TERR-  OT Malcolm Inglis, Carleton
TERR-  DB Pat Stoqua, Carleton
01-06) LB Carman Cartieri, Montana
02-15) DB Al Dosant, Windsor
04-33) RB Dave Green, Carleton
05-42) PK Blaine Shore, Queen's
06-51) DB Scott Spurgeon, St. Francis Xavier
07-60) RB Dave Behm, University of Ottawa

1978
TERR-  OT Dick Bakker, Queen's
TERR-  WR Bruce Walker, Windsor
01-07) RB Don Taylor, Iowa Central
04-34) LB Phil Battaglia, New Brunswick
05-43) OT Lindon Davidson, University of Ottawa
06-52) DT Dave Yurincich, Wilfrid Laurier
07-61) RB Tom Barbeau, McGill
08-70) DT Mike Lyriotokis, PEI

1977
TERR-  RB Mike Murphy, University of Ottawa
TERR-  OG Doug McGee, Richmond
TERR-  WR Dan Fournier, Princeton
TERR-  OT Brian McLaughlin, Simon Fraser
01-01) DT Mike Riley, Dalhousie
01-09) DB Kirk DeFazio, Waterloo
02-18) OT Jim Lynn, Windsor
03-27) DB Jim McCaffrey, Richmond
04-36) TE Rod Bell, New Brunswick
05-45) WR Roger Wheller, Acadia
06-54) OL Dan Sartor, University of Ottawa
07-63) RB Ross Tripp, McMaster
08-72) DB John Harrison, McMaster
09-81) FB Phil Ridley, St. Francis Xavier

1976
TERR-  WR Jeff Avery, University of Ottawa
TERR-  RB John Palazeti, Richmond
01-04) DB Steve Gelley, Simon Fraser
01-06) WR Bill Hatanaka, York
04-33) OG Drew Allan, Carleton
05-42) QB Doug Kitts, York
06-51) OT Jim Anderson, Alberta
07-60) LB Fred Brown, Wilfrid Laurier
08-69) OG Paul Lojewski, Windsor
09-78) WR Robert Forbes, New Brunswick
10-86) WR Chris Kziezopoloski, Waterloo

1975
TERR-  QB Peter Stenerson, Carleton
TERR-  DT Jeff Turcotte, Colorado
01-07) LB Marvin Allemang, Acadia
02-13) LB Dave Patterson, Simon Fraser
02-16) OL Jim Baker, Alberta
03-25) LB Cliff Summers, Western Ontario
04-34) LB Grant Stephenson, St. Francis Xavier
05-43) OG Scott Gibson, Manitoba
06-51) TE Arunas Pleckaitis, Carleton
07-59) TE Roy Biljetina, Wooster

1974
TERR-  DB Perry Arnold, Western Ontario
TERR-  OT Darryl Craig, North Carolina
01-08) HB Dave Hadden, Queen's
01-09) LB Bob Rushton, Otterbein
03-27) QB Bill Robinson, Saint Mary's
05-45) DT Tom Balfe, Wilfrid Laurier
06-54) DB Jeff Cope, Simon Fraser
07-63) LB Doug Ridding, Otterbein

1973
PROT-  OT Donn Smith, Purdue 
02-16) RB Bruce McMillan, Mount Allison
03-25) DB Roger Comartin, Alberta
04-34) DB Jim Budge, Western Ontario
SUPP-  DB John Reid, York

1972
03-22) DE Doug Cihocki, Western Ontario
04-31) DB Stew MacSween, University of Toronto
05-40) RB Ron Perowne, Bishop's
06-48) LB Gordon Ladbrook, Dalhousie
07-57) DT Fred Tokaryk, Dalhousie
SUPP-  PK Louis Lamarre, Montreal
SUPP-  PK Noel Billette, Montreal

1971
01-02) LB Bob Eccles, Carleton
03-20) OT Bob Padfield, Waterloo
04-29) DB Art Lord, Saskatchewan
05-38) OT Steve Derbyshire, Western Ontario
06-47) DE Steve Hoffman, Windsor
07-56) LB George Hill, Western Ontario
08-64) LB Marshall Caplan, McMaster
SUPP-  OT Jim Sheritt, Queen's

1970
01-09) HB Mike Sharp, Carleton
02-18) OT Gerald Kwapisz, Windsor
04-36) DB Dave Doherty, McGill
05-44) DB Ken Whalen, Guelph
07-61) FB Ron Clarke, Queen's
08-69) OG Bob Climie, Queen's
SUPP-  OL Bob Wright, Carleton
SUPP-  OT Jerry Brown, University of Ottawa

1969
01-09) QB Jim Foley, St. Dunstans
02-18) QB Norm Lukey, Saint Mary's
03-27) FL Brian donnelly, Queen's
04-36) OL Wayne Powell, University of Ottawa
05-45) HB Don Croteau, Laurentian
06-54) FL Bruce McGregor, Carleton

1968
01-04) HB Paul Brule, St. Francis Xavier
01-06) LB Daryll Burgess, Saint Mary's
01-08) OG Ron Wakelin, University of Toronto
01-09) LB/OL Don Cooper, Bishop's
02-17) LB John Wilson, Alberta
03-26) OT Theron Craig, Queen's
04-35) LB Brian Fryer, McMaster
05-44) LB Doug Shuh, Waterloo
06-53) LB Jim Tait, Queen's
07-62) FB Ted Ambercrombie, Saint Mary's
08-71) OT Neil Wyatt, University of Ottawa

1967
01-08) HB Greg McQueen, Waterloo
02-17) HB Robert Wearing, Western
03-26) QB Don Bayne, Queen's
04-35) HB Moe Rodigue, McGill

1966
01-06) LB Glen Markle, University of Toronto
02-xx) LB Doug Kelcher, St. Patrick's
02-xx) DE Jim Dickie, McGill
03-xx) FL Tod Scott, St. Francis Xavier
03-xx) LB Norm Lightfoot, Regina
04-xx) DB Al Keith, McMaster
05-xx) HB Terry Bradley, McDonald College
05-xx) LB Allan Grachina, University of Toronto
06-xx) DE Harold Hermitage, McDonald
06-xx) LB Wayne Houston, Waterloo Lutheran
07-xx) OG Phil Hughes, St. Francis Xavier
08-xx) LB Donald Holmes, Toronto
09-xx) HB John Ball, Mount Allison
10-xx) OG Dick Fiedler, McGill

1965
01-06) ?? Brian Bentley, Mount Allison
02-15) DE Stu O'Brien, Saint Mary's
03-24) OT Rick Canning, Bishop's
03-27) QB Mike Norcott, Mount Allison
04-33) HB Keith Mills, Bishop's
05-42) HB Don Campbell, Mount Allison
05-45) OT Pat Lafferty, Bishop's
06-51) LB Peter Ferguson, Mount Allison
07-60) DB Eric Hafenan, Saint Mary's

1964
01-06) FB Peter Martin, Western Ontario
02-15) OT Andy Shaw, Queen's
03-24) HB George Poirier, Loyola College
04-33) HB Bruce Leggatt, McMaster
04-36) DE Joel LaMorre, St Francis Xavier
05-42) OT Jim Burke, St Francis Xavier
06-51) HB Harold Rose, Queen's
07-60) QB John McLennan, McMaster

1963
01-03) HB Rick Black, Mount Allison
01-06) OG Bill Micklas, Queen's
01-08) HB Peter Quinn, Queen's
02-15) HB Paul Benoit, Queen's
03-24) FB Len Robinson, University of Ottawa
04-30) OL Ted Moore, Saint Mary's
04-33) OG Bob Bourgalt, Loyola
05-42) HB Jim Sevigny, Carleton
06-51) HB John Nash, Western
07-60) OT Jack Greben, McMaster

1962 (Eastern team plus Stampeders participating)
01-04) OG Chuck Wood, McGill
02-09) HB Whitman Tucker, Western
03-14) DE Bob windsor, McGill
04-19) DE Larry Shaw, Western
05-24) DE Hugh Cook, University of Toronto
06-29) OT Doug Niklas, Queen's

1961 (Eastern team plus Stampeders participating)
01-05) HB Paul Burroughs, University of Toronto
02-10) HB John Moore, McGill
03-15) HB Dick Pearce, Queen's
04-20) HB Frank Loftus, Queen's
05-25) OT John Evans, University of Toronto

1960 (Eastern team plus Stampeders participating)
01-04) HB Steve Chisolm, University of Toronto
02-09) DE Doug Jack, University of Toronto
03-14) OT Brian Bradstock, University of Toronto
04-19) HB Joe Irvine, McGill
05-24) DE Jim Edgar, Western
06-29) OG Ross Arbour, Queen's

1959
01-02) HB Jocko Thompson, Queen's
02-12) HB Bob Dann, University of Toronto
03-21) HB Steve O'Farrell, McGill

1958
01-06) HB Russ Jackson, McMaster
02-XX) DE John Bennett, McGill
03-XX) QB Brian Ashton, University of Toronto
04-XX) OL John Chisholm, University of Toronto
05-XX) DE Dan Nelson, University of Toronto
06-XX) DE Burt Kelloch, University of Toronto

1957
01-03) OG Russ Radchuk, Queen's
02-12) DE/P Peter Mitchell, McMaster
03-21) OL Peter Polecrone, University of Toronto

1956
01-01) DE Lou Bruce, Queen's
02-10) FB Ralph Simmons, Western Ontario
03-19) OT Vic Uzbalis, Queen's
04-28) HB Jack Rome, McMaster

1954
       HB Gino Fracas, Western Ontario
          Robert Pinkney, Toronto
          Pete Nicholson, Queen's
          George Stulac, Toronto
          Larry Henderson, Western Ontario
          Bob Turner, Western Ontario
          Fred Palermo, Toronto
          Joe O'Brien, Queen's
          Jack Rogers, Toronto
          Don Marston, Queen's
          John Hilts, McGill                

1953 (IRFU teams only)
01-02) OT Joe Harris, University of Toronto
02-06) OT Stu Kennedy, Queen's
03-10) DE Tony Arnoldi, Queen's
04-14) DE Hank Tamowski, University of Toronto
05-18) HB Ken Atwood, Queen's
06-22) HB Cameron Kenney, McGill
07-26) OG Clive Bynoe, McMaster
08-30) OG Pete Johnson, Queen's
09-34) HB Bill Gatfield, Queen's
10-38) OG W. Waddell, Queen's

In case you're wondering, and are something of a trivia buff, the big winner in terms of overall selections is actually Queen's University with 35 (not counting the 1954 draft).  Of course, it seems that only a handful of schools were "eligible" to be chosen from in the 50's and early 60's, but nonetheless.  Toronto and Western Ontario are next, followed by the two local schools.

2014 East West Bowl (capital region representation)

The blog is rather RedBlacks heavy at the moment, as that team actively builds, but anyone who came across my Capital Region Football website in the past knows that I have just as much interest in the amateur levels of the sport around the city as I do pro.  I've gotten in many an argument with people who claim that Ottawa is "not a football town", based on the quality and success of the amateur game, and my invitation for them to go to hell continues to be wide open. ;-)

So I took in the East-West bowl rosters with an increasing amount of glee last week as I was scrolling down the list and seeing more and more players with Ottawa connections.  Have a look:

QB  Dallon Kuprowski   McGill     5-9   168   Kanata, Ont.
QB  Jesse Mills        Carleton   6-4   230   Halifax, N.S.
OL  Danny Groulx       Laval      6-6   320   Gatineau, Que.
RB  Jesse Andrews      Queen’s    6-1   210   Arnprior, Ont.
RB  Ashton Dickson     StFX       5-9   193   Ottawa, Ont.
REC Nyjill Wilson      Bishop’s   6-1   190   Ottawa, Ont.
REC Ian Stewart        Ottawa     6-2   186   Burlington, Ont.
REC Randy Roseway      StFX       6-0   163   Ottawa, Ont.
                     

LB Ron Omara

LB  Drew Morris        Acadia     6-2   225   Ottawa, Ont.
LB  Ron Omara          StFX       6-2   241   Aylmer, Que.
DB  Sean Stoqua        Acadia     5-11  180   Ottawa, Ont.
DB  Dustin Wilson      Ottawa     6-1   195   Ottawa, Ont.

K/P Ryan Begin         Acadia     5-10  205   Orleans, Ont.

Now to be completely impartial, I have acknowledge that two of the guys playing IN Ottawa are not FROM Ottawa, just apparently excelling in the local university programs.

So technically I'm double-dipping.  But even removing Jesse Mills and Ian Stewart from the list (even Arnprior's Jesse Andrews is debatable), it's still plenty solid.  As was pointed out to me on Twitter, StFX is sending three guys, and all three are from Ottawa.

Also, this isn't an all-star team per se.  The point of the East West Bowl is for players becoming draft-eligible in 2015 to showcase their skills.  So a number of players don't qualify to be included.

That hardly diminishes the accomplishment.  As the announcement points outs, 13 of the guys on the list (West team included, of course) were named CIS all-stars at the conclusion of last season.

Though I wasn't quite as active in terms of direct support in 2013 as I had in previous years, it's great to see some of the guys that I've been watching for years reach this level.  There may be a couple in particular that I'll want to elaborate on but if so I'll do it in separate posts.  In the meantime, congratulations to all of the above for the prestigious invitation.

The game will be played May 10th at 1PM at the University of Western Ontario.

Carleton opens its Christmas presents early!

The Carleton Ravens announced the following recruiting commitments on December 23rd.

Steve Sumarah, Ravens’ head coach is pleased to announce the following student/athlete commitments for next season.

James McCallum, a 6’1”, 180 pound, defensive back from Mississauga, Ontario.

McCallum attends Champlain College in Lennoxville, Quebec and played Division 1 College football for the Cougars.

Michael Black is 6 feet tall and weighs 175 pounds. Black is also a DB and hails from Ottawa, Ontario.

McCallum and Black were teammates at Champlain College this past fall as the Cougars were crowned the 2013 Bol d’Or Champions.

...

The program would also like to announce the signing of Tevin Bowen a 6’1”, 260 pound defensive lineman from Robert Hall High School. Bowen is from Orangeville Ontario.

McCallum must be the same that James McCallum that earned an OVFL all-star nod for the Mississauga Warriors this past season.  He was credited with 24 solo tackles, 21 assists and three interceptions.

Black is a little harder to pin down.  He has played on both sides of the ball (receiver as well as DB) and in fact has played so much that you're concerned that you're confusing two people with the same name.  Assuming I have the right guy, he was also not only an all-star in NCAFA (in 2011) but also league MVP for the Midget-level Orleans Bengals and has played for St. Matthews high school.

I believe Bowen had originally committed to McMaster so seeing his name in this release is a bit of a surprise.  He played for the OVFL's Brampton Bulldogs recording 14 solo tackles, 21 assists and two sacks in 2012.

Two "Locals" on Junior National Team

Football Canada released the roster that will compete against Team USA at the International Bowl in February.  Two of the players on the team have local connections.

The first is Samuel Thomassin, seen at right (photo credit to Charles Daigneault).  He is an offensive linemen for the Cegep de l'Outaouais Griffons and was previously mentioned here for having been named to the all-star team in 2013.  He was on the Team Québec gold-medal winning squad at the 2012 Football Canada Cup.  The Junior National Team roster lists his home town as Gatineau, but I believe he's actually from the Québec City area.

The other is not a local product as such either; his home town is listed as being Dehli, Ontario.  But receiver Kyle Van Wynsberghe was a standout for the Carleton University Ravens in their first year back into the OUA.  He recorded 37 receptions for 501 yards and three scores, including the team's first. He was a nominee for the OUA's rookie of the year award.  Prior to joining the Ravens, Van Wynsberghe was a quarterback for the Dehli Raiders.

We'll track the results of both men when the Team Canada vs Team USA junior game kicks in February.

Meanwhile, across the river...

Missed during the RedBlacks recent flurry of activity was Cegep de l'Outaouais Head Coach Denis Piché's resignation from his position with the club.  He was replaced shortly thereafter by defensive coordinator, and former UOttawa Gee-Gee defensive lineman, Sébastien Tétreault.

Piché took over as the team's second Head Coach for the 2011 season, replacing Alexandre Mathieu.  During that time, he recorded 14 wins and 10 losses (including a 4-4 record this past fall).

Tétreault held the defensive coordinator position during the previous two seasons.  Perhaps not coincidentally, since Tétreault also played the position, the Griffons saw defensive lineman Jérémie Rioux honoured as the top player at the position in the RSEQ's seven-team South-West Division.  Rioux has since committed to the Carleton Ravens program.  The following were also named to the league's all-star team.

Samuel Thomassin, offensive line
Julien Choquette-Daigneault, running back (74 for 593, 5 tds)
Sébastien Chénier-Dionne, linebacker (43.5 tcks, 4 sacks)
Wassim Hayder, defensive back (9 tcks, 3 INTs)

Julien Larente was recognised for his academic achievements.       

Panda Game 2013: UOttawa 35, Carleton 10

I waited a bit before posting a recap of Saturday's Panda Game so that I could judge the reaction.  The abbreviated article below is from the Ottawa Citizen and seems to cover all the bases.

OTTAWA — The Carleton Ravens didn’t have much business being in the Panda Game, but they were.

A record-tying 129-yard touchdown by Tunde Adeleke on the return of a missed field goal attempt got the Ravens within four points of the Ottawa Gee-Gees, at 14-10, midway through the second quarter.

That was all the Gee-Gees were willing to grant the Ravens, though. A drive capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Colbon to Andrew Mullings extended that lead just before halftime, and Ottawa’s defence did the rest, shutting down Carleton’s offence in what turned out to be a 35-10 victory in the Ontario University Athletics game at U of O’s Lees Avenue stadium on Saturday.

“It’s awesome having this rivalry in the city back,” said Colbon, a quarterback in his fifth and final university football season, but, just like every other player on the field, a Panda Game novice because it was the first such contest since 1998. That was when Carleton dropped football for financial reasons, and it was only this year, following a $5-million fundraising effort, that the Ravens were back on the football field.

“It’s great for the city, it’s great for the fans, it’s great for the two teams, Ottawa and Carleton, to have this healthy rivalry back,” Colbon added. “There’s just so much tradition behind this game. I feel honoured to have a chance to play in it.”

Tradition was fine, but there was a touch of revenge in the voice of receiver Simon Le Marquand, too.

“There that was a lot of emotion in that game. It’s personal,” Le Marquand, another fifth-year player, said in reference to the Ravens’ hiring away former Gee-Gees head coach J.P. Asselin (as offensive co-ordinator), offensive co-ordinator Chris Coulson (offensive line coach), defensive co-ordinator Sean Hall (defensive backs), video and quality control coach Chris Brzozowski (running backs) and even a former Ottawa quarterback Josh Sacobie (receivers).

“They took our coaching staff, and we remember when they left and we were left behind by ourselves. That was our motivation (Saturday).”

Le Marquand used his motivation to turn his two catches into touchdowns of 18 and six yards on throws from Colbon, who also made the short, but key scoring toss to Mullings and also ran eight yards on a quarterback draw for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Ottawa’s other score came early on a one-yard plunge by Brendan Gillanders, whose biggest contribution on the drive was to pick up a fumble by Colbon, who had been sacked on the second play from scrimmage, and to rumble for 30 yards.

The Ravens got on the scoreboard following an interception by Nathaniel Hamlin. Their offence stalled at the 10-yard line, but Andrew Banerjee made a 17-yard field goal to make the score 14-3.

Then came the stunning touchdown by Adeleke, whose return on a miss by Lewis Ward tied the Canadian Interuniversity Sport record and was only the third such feat.

...

Adeleke’s interception came on what could only be described as a gadget play by the Gee-Gees. On second-and-goal from the one-yard line, Colbon took the snap, turned away from the line of scrimmage as if to hand the ball to a running back, but then flipped the ball back over his head and into the end-zone. It was easily caught by Adeleke.

Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi said it had been his call.

“I’ve seen it work,” he said, “and it was something I promised our players we would do.”

...

Ottawa racked up 356 yards rushing, including 164 by Gillanders on 17 carries, and another 316 yards passing. Colbon, playing with a bandaged right thumb that had been dislocated two weeks earlier, was 21-for-29 for 295 yards and those three touchdowns, but he was also sacked four times.

Carleton had just 91 yards net rushing, which was actually two yards less than the total produced by Kwasi Gyamfi-Adusei. Quarterback Jesse Mills passed 13-for-23 for 154 yards, and he was sacked twice.

The capacity crowd of approximately 4,200 included more than 20 former Gee-Gees and Ravens who played in the first Panda Game in 1955 — Carleton won that one 14-6 — and one streaker, who jumped over a barrier near the U of O student section and ran the length of the field before being caught by security personnel.

This was a great event. It was my first time at the new field and thought the facility was great and easy to find.

The Citizen had another article, by Don Campbell, which made the point that the Panda Game was about football and not the frenzy.  I couldn't agree more.  The crowd at my end (about the 25 yard line on the Gee-Gees side) was crazy loud but they weren't more preoccupied with displaying how wasted they were than with the game.

A year or two ago, I had a guy fall on me from a couple of rows up during the Gee-Gees home opener.  Police presence increased throughout the day because of fighting, etc.  There was none of that this time around.  This Panda crowd could have given lessons on how to have fun at a game without ruining it for anyone else.  A streaker?  Big damn deal.

On the field, Adeleke's field goal return alone was worth the price of admission.  Aside from how spectacular the play was in terms of effort, it kept the game close until the Gee-Gees score at the end of the first half made it seem like Carleton might struggle to get back into it.

As far as the blind backwards pass goes...wow.  Gee-Gees Head Coach Jamie Barresi says that it was not done for the sake of gamesmanship but it's difficult to imagine the Gee-Gees pulling a stunt like that against Western.  But then I read Le Marquand's comments about the players feeling left behind by departing coaches and I find it hard to not sympathise with their possible urge to raise a middle finger.  Ultimately, I'm a little torn.

What I do know is that this is the kind of thing that makes rivalries great.

History: The Panda Game

Hey, have you heard?  The Panda Game is this week!

As good a time as any to restore my previous Panda Game page. I believe all scores are accurate (obviously).  There was some confusion with certain resources because some years, Carleton and UOttawa would play twice, but only one match-up was considered the Panda Game.

Over time, I'll fill out the remaining years like I have the 50's and early 60's.  The problem there is with my own OCD.  I have an irrational need to do them in order and I was unable to find a recap of the 1962 game.  I'll probably get to the library at some point this winter and start filling gaps.

For those going to the game, Enjoy!  I certainly plan to.

From "Ottawa's Football Tradition": The friendly rivalry between Ottawa's two largest universities is at least 50 years old, and has it foundations in a little stuffed Panda bear...Pedro became a football ambassador.  He travelled to nine different universities across Canada and parts of the United States.  Pedro has been parachuted into Lansdowne Park, kidnapped and held hostage by Queen's University's PLO (Panda Liberation Front), buried in a soccer field, nominated for President of the Carleton University Students Association, formally mentionned in a debate in the House of Commons, appeared on "Hockey Night in Canada" and transported to the game in an armored Brinks truck.

1998- University of Ottawa 59, Carleton University 17
1997- University of Ottawa 22, Carleton University 19
1996- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 00
1995- University of Ottawa 35, Carleton University 08
1994- University of Ottawa 15, Carleton University 27
1993- University of Ottawa 21, Carleton University 03
1992- University of Ottawa 17, Carleton University 06
1991- University of Ottawa 34, Carleton University 15
1990- University of Ottawa 30, Carleton University 17
1989- University of Ottawa 23, Carleton University 11
1988- University of Ottawa 29, Carleton University 09
1987- University of Ottawa 04, Carleton University 08
1986- University of Ottawa 30, Carleton University 29
1985- University of Ottawa 27, Carleton University 34
1984- University of Ottawa 18, Carleton University 30
1983- University of Ottawa 23, Carleton University 28
1982- University of Ottawa 19, Carleton University 07
1981- University of Ottawa 29, Carleton University 00
1980- University of Ottawa 21, Carleton University 30
1979- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 16
1978- University of Ottawa 13, Carleton University 24
1977- University of Ottawa 16, Carleton University 36
1976- University of Ottawa 19, Carleton University 14
1975- University of Ottawa 55, Carleton University 22
1974- University of Ottawa 48, Carleton University 07
1973- University of Ottawa 21, Carleton University 14
1972- University of Ottawa 31, Carleton University 14
1971- University of Ottawa 14, Carleton University 28
1970- University of Ottawa 29, Carleton University 20
1969- University of Ottawa 20, Carleton University 21
1968- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 27
1967- University of Ottawa 36, Carleton University 20
1966- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 13
1965- University of Ottawa 27, Carleton University 19
1964- University of Ottawa 33, Carleton University 40
1963- University of Ottawa 41, Carleton University 21

1962- University of Ottawa 13, Carleton University 10
There were some concerns as to whether Pedro would be available.

1961- University of Ottawa 13, Carleton University 12
Ottawa Citizen - (Peter) Barnabe's third quarter single gave the Varsity Gee-Gee's a 13-12 decision...GeeGee's took the lead in the first quarter on a line plunge by speedy Derek Callan.  Carleton lost the game when the winners capitalized on a fumble with Mike blain going nine yards for their second touchdown.

1960- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 06
Ottawa Citizen (uncredited) - (Bill) McIntyre...figured in on all four majors picked up by the Gee-Gees and for the second  straight week scored three times.  He passes to Pete Barnabe for the fourth...Pilfering (Pedro) this time were a couple who posed as newshawks seeking a story."

Pedro was busy at both ends of the calendar in 1960.  He attended the opening of the U of O carnival in January and had to be rescued from McMaster university in December.

1959- University of Ottawa 42, Carleton University 00
Ross Peterkin, Ottawa Citizen - "Bill McIntyre...started the 1959 season in fine style with a three touchdown performance.  Mcintyre...managed to churn out 164 yards on 16 carries.  Pedro the Panda...met with defeat at the hands of eager Carleton supporters during the halftime intermission.  The panda, which enjoyed a tour of Canadian colleges and unversities last year, had its head removed by the roughians...Chris Nowakowski was easily Carleton's top ball player.  The Ashbury graduate was in on almost every tackle and was a tired boy when the game finished...U of O found holes through Carleton's line for 415 yards on the ground and added another 97 passing.  Carleton was held to 97 yards on the ground, 38 through the air."

1958- University of Ottawa 23, Carleton University 00
Ron McGrath, Ottawa Citizen - "(Bill) McIntyre scored two touchdowns, added a pair of converts, and Claude Lauriault scored an opening major as the Gee-Gees mesmerized the hapless Ravens...Carleton did not complete a single pass..."

1957- University of Ottawa 44, Carleton University 00
Ron McGrath, Ottawa Citizen - "(Dick) Barch and (Claude) Lauriault collected a pair of touchdowns apiece, while (Bill) McIntyre and Paul De Le Franier got the others...In the final analysis, weak and sometimes non-existent tackling hampered the Raven defence, while the Varsity defence were efficient to an extreme, forcing Carleton to give up the ball three times on third down gambles.

1956- University of Ottawa 10, Carleton University 14
Ottawa Journal (writer not identified) - "Carleton roared back with a converted touchdown in the second quarter to lead 7-2 at the half.  Connie Poulin...scored the major on a three-yard dive over centre....Varsity quarterback Jack Richardson capped a 59-yard march for the losers by skirting his own right end on an option play from 15 yards out...Poulin got that one back with a two-yard plunge for his second TD of the day."

1955- University of Ottawa 06, Carleton University 14
Bernie Nells, Ottawa Citizen -"Wally Lacosta, the Ravens' outstanding tackle, paced the Carleton scoring attack with pair of field goals and one convert, while Bobby Anderson scored a touchdown and Brian Turner booted two singles...The Ravens' only touchdown of the game came when they recovered a bad U of O snap and quarterback Gordon Johnston heaved a 25-yard pass to Anderson in the endzone."