Hawks battling for playoff berth
Mike Kostoff

This Saturday's football contest at University Stadium sees the #10 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks take on #7 McMaster Marauders. The winner of this matchup is guaranteed a third place finish in the OUA. Here is how the teams match up going into the contest.

The most potent offence vs. the stingiest defense

When looking for a reason why the Marauders have surprised so many people by their performance so far this season, one need not look farther then MacMaster starting quarterback Ben Chapdelaine. On pace for over 2000 yards passing this season, Chapdelaine has lead the MacMaster offence to a league leading 225 points in six games.

Chapdelaine's 1806 passing yards is tops in the league by over 650 yards, having completed 108 passes in 198 attempts.

Complementing Chapdelaine, MacMaster has three receivers among the top five in the league to date. 1997 OUA second team all-star Ryan Janzen leads the Mac receiving corps with Mike Linton and Chris Dorrigton also making significant contributions thus far this season.

To combat this potent air attack, the Hawks will look to their league leading pass defense to carry the day. Defensive backs Donnie Ruiz and Kevin Johnson are first and second in the league in interceptions and will look to further pad those numbers this weekend. The defensive line, headlined by Eric Schwab, Kojo Millington, and Tom Longhurst will look to put pressure on Chapdelaine throughout the afternoon.

Can Mac stop the Hawk ground attack?

For the first time since 1991, the Hawks offence is highlighted by a punishing ground attack.

Running backs Justin Praamsma and Justin Dillon have racked up 515 and 502 yards respectively this season and, with the help of several large gentlemen on the offensive line, have picked apart defenses for big gains all season.

The Mac defense will have to step up their effort if they hope to keep the Hawks from racking up substantial rushing yardage. Mac has proven vulnerable against the run this season, surrendering a whopping 56 points to the ground oriented Waterloo Warriors earlier this season.

Who will make the fewest mistakes?

In a game as close as this one is likely to be, it is often the team that makes the fewest mistakes that emerges victorious.

One area the Hawks will have to improve is in their kick protection; the Hawks had two blocked punts against them in last weeks game against Guelph.

For McMaster, Chapdelaine will have to ensure he is very careful with his throws as he encounters a defensive secondary with an appetite for ill advised pass attempts.