September 11, 2008

Download the full game notes here (pdf)

THIS WEEK: The Bishop’s Gaiters (0-1) host the #3 Saint Mary’s Huskies (1-0) in the Gaiters’ 2008 home-opener.

GRAND OPENING: Today’s game will mark the official opening of the new FieldTurf® surface at Coulter Field. Prior to Saturday’s game, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate the new field. Dignitaries in attendance will include Jean Perrault, the Mayor of Sherbrooke, and Michael Goldbloom, the new Principal of Bishop's University.

THE RECORDS: The Gaiters are 0-1, having lost their first game at Concordia, while Saint Mary’s is 1-0, after recording a 14-12 victory over Acadia last week.

LAST MEETING: The teams last met on September 20, 2003, with the then-No. 1 Huskies downing Bishop’s 54-17. The top-ranked Huskies took a 19-10 first half lead, and pulled away late in the game to romp the victory. The Huskies outgained Bishop’s 451 yards to 317 in the game. Les Mullings led the Huskies with 164 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Steve Panella was 13-of-20 for 148 yards with two touchdowns. The Gaiters were led by Sylvain Desrochers, who threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, while Gilles Colon caught seven passes for 130 yards.

THE SERIES: The Gaiters and Huskies have only met twice previously, with Saint Mary’s winning both times. The first meeting between the teams came in the 1988 Atlantic Bowl, when the top-ranked Huskies downed the OQIFC champion Gaiters by a score of 44-10. Saturday’s game marks the first meeting between the teams where Saint Mary’s when not been ranked #1.

LAST WEEK: The Gaiters fell 30-15 to Concordia in the season-opening game for both teams. Jesse Andrews passed for a career-high 333 yards, and Keith Godding made seven catches for 133 yards, but those efforts were for nought as the Gaiters committed six turnovers, allowing the Stingers to take a 25-15 halftime lead. Jamall Lee ran for 56 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Josh Maveety added the Gaiters’ other point on an 85-yard kickoff single.