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Slow start It was a long afternoon at Concordia’s new million dollar stadium, as the Bishop’s Gaiters struggled from pillar to post against the Stinger’s, ultimately losing 46-3. Concordia’s Jean-Michel Paquette led the way for the Stinger assault, returning an Alex Dyer punt 73 yards to pay dirt and well as turning a screen pass into another 51 yard touchdown return. “Special teams are very important and can really get a game going in our direction,” said Paquette after the contest. “But the offensive line played great and when they make holes it gives me a chance to do something.” For the Gaiters the game was definitely a learning
experience. Many of the Gaiters new recruits saw playing time and a trio
of defensive rookies, Matt Chown, Ryan Sansom and Dan McCullough left the
game with their first ever CIS sacks.
“We started off slow, but I think as a team we picked it up at the end of the first half,” said rookie defensive tackle Matt Chown. “Personally, for my first game at the CIS level I think I played well. The Laval scrimmage really helped and our coaches have brought me to the point where I know I can play at this level.” Wide receiver Gilles Colon continued where he left off in 2002 when he set the single season record for total kick return yardage with five punt returns for 75 yards and six receptions for 102 yards. Colon also ran the ball twice for 37 yards. “I think we were a little unorganized today,” said Colon after the game. “It’s about the little things that we just aren’t doing at this stage of the season.” Quarterback Sylvain Desrochers was under pressure for most of the afternoon before being replaced by Pat Nadeau in the fourth quarter. Desrochers was 10-23 with two interceptions and was understandably disappointed with the performance. “We need to find a solution, we have to get things done,” Desrochers commented with fervour at a post game press conference. “It’s nobody’s individual fault, but we can’t as a team miss assignments and make mistakes. We were a little surprised by how much pressure they were bringing and every time that they made a big play, we needed to respond and it just didn’t happen.” This is the second year in a row that the Gaiters have lost in the early weeks to Concordia and the script for Stinger Head Coach Gerry McGrath appeared the same. Get the ball in the hands of Jean-Michel Paquette and let him run with it. “This is his fifth year and its Jean-Mi’s team,” said coach McGrath. “He is an explosive player and gets our players attention in the locker room; he is a leader on this squad.” Michel and the Stinger defence were dominant out of the gate and the Gaiters could simply not respond. “This was something that we had addressed before the game,” said Gaiter head coach Larry Legault. “Our team has to realise that every play counts and we have to stop getting hit in the mouth. We are playing against a team that has good team speed and therefore we have to be quick in our decision making. We have to get better and look at things that we didn’t do well and make them better.” The Gaiters will now host the expansion Sherbrooke Vert et Or next weekend at Coulter Field on Saturday, September 13. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m |
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