McMaster Marauders quarterback Kyle Quinlan throws a pass during the first half of their Vanier Cup college football game against Laval Rouge et Or at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, November 25, 2011.BEN NELMS/Reuters
A rematch of last year's Yates Cup final ended with the same result.
The top-ranked McMaster Marauders defeated the No. 6 University of Western Ontario Mustangs 33-27 on Saturday in Canadian university football action.
McMaster defeated Western 41-19 last season to win the Ontario conference championship.
On Saturday, the Marauders (5-0) built up a big first-half lead and counted on their defence to protect it in front of the Mustangs' homecoming crowd in excess of 10,000 fans.
Western took an early 9-0 lead on a safety and a first-quarter touchdown from Garrett Sanvido. But before the end of the quarter a pass from quarterback Kyle Quinlan to Brad Fochesato brought McMaster into the red-zone and Quinlan scored on a one-yard plunge to get within two points.
The second quarter belonged to McMaster as it scored 21 unanswered points that included TD passes from Quinlan to Tyler Loveday and Dahlin Brooks to build the lead to 28-9.
A late Mustangs field-goal made the score 28-12 at the half.
Elsewhere in CIS, it was: Saint Mary's 32 St. F-X 9; Mount Allison 6 Acadia 30; McGill 18 Bishop's 24; Laval 48 Sherbrooke 10; Guelph 22 Laurier 19; Toronto 40 Waterloo 26; Ottawa 25 Queen's 32 and UBC 29 Alberta 10.
Later Saturday, York visited Windsor and No. 10 Saskatchewan was at No. 2 Calgary.
At London, Ont., the second half saw the defences from both side take over and scoring was hard to come by. Another TD from Sanvido on the last play of the third quarter brought Western closer at 30-18, after missing on an attempted two-point conversion.
In the fourth, some well placed punting from Tyler Crapigna left the Mustangs (3-2) with some long fields to navigate.
Crapigna added a field goal in the quarter and the scoring was completed when Mac conceded a safety and Western got a late TD pass from Will Finch to Matt Uren, making the final 33-27.
Quinlan was the top rusher in the contest gaining 145 yards on 10 carries and scoring one touchdown. He also completed 18-of-32 passes for 247 yards and two scoring strikes.
Quinlan now has 53 career touchdown passes, and is only six behind Ben Chapdelaine, who holds the McMaster career record with 59.
No. 4 Rouge et Or 48, No. 9 Vert et Or 10
At Sherbrooke, Que., Tristan Grenon threw for 360 yards and three TDs as undefeated Laval (5-0) easily disposed of the Vert et Or (2-3).
No. 5 Gaels 32, Gee Gees 25
At Kingston, Ont., the No. 5-ranked Queen's (4-1) built up a 32-7 lead after three quarters and held off a fourth-quarter rally by Ottawa (0-5).
Huskies 32, X-Men 9
At Antigonish, N.S., Michael Dawes rushed for 212 yards and a touchdown as Saint Mary's (1-3) scored 23 unanswered points in the second half to earn a win over St. FX (1-3) at the X-Men's homecoming.
Axemen 30, Mounties 6
At Wolfville, N.S., quarterback Kyle Graves passed for 259 yards and two touchdowns as Acadia (3-1) routed Mount Allison (1-3).
Bishop's 24, McGill 18
At Lennoxville, Que., Matthew Burke ran for two touchdowns as the Gaiters (2-3) overcame the Redmen (1-4).
Gryphons 22, Golden Hawks 19
At Waterloo, Ont., kicker Daniel Ferraro made a nine-yard field goal with just 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as the Gryphons (4-1) defeated Wilfrid Laurier (2-3) at the Golden Hawks' homecoming game.
Varsity Blues 40, Warriors 26
At Waterloo, Simon Nassar led Toronto (2-3) past the Warriors (1-4), completing 22 of 29 passes for 291 yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing score in the win.
Thunderbirds 29, Golden Bears 10
At Edmonton, quarterback Billy Greene rushed for one touchdown and 148 yards while passing for a TD and 187 yards to give UBC (1-4) its first victory of the season over winless Alberta (0-5).