The Concordia Stingers clinched at least a second place playoff spot with a thrilling 31-28 triumph over the McGill Redmen before 2,052 spectators last Saturday afternoon in the 33rd annual Shaughnessy Cup at Molson Stadium.
Things were going well early on for the Stingers as they recovered a McGill fumble off the opening kickoff by punter/receiver Burke Dales. Two plays later, Pat Donovan took the ball into the end zone on a two-yard run, putting the Stingers up by seven less than a minute into the game.
The Stingers added to their lead late in the opening quarter when quarterback Jon Kronemeyer threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to receiver Matt MacDonald, putting the Stingers ahead 14-0.
The Redmen came to life in the second quarter and put their first points on the scoreboard with 9:41 remaining on a seven-yard touchdown run by Nicholas Hoffman, cutting the Stingers lead in half. Only twenty four seconds later, Alain Rousseau fumbled a pass from Kronemeyer, resulting in a 24-yard touchdown run for the Redmen that tied the game at 14.
Concordia regained the lead before the end of the second half when Kronemeyer moved deep out of the pocket and found receiver Ricky Martin in the end zone, making the score 21-14 Concordia at the half.
McGill tied the game midway through the third quarter on a 65-yard punt return touchdown, leaving Concordia’s special teams unit wondering what hit them. Concordia regained the lead near the end of the quarter on an 18-yard field goal by Rob McCallum.
In the fourth quarter, the Redmen took a 28-24 lead with 5:32 remaining on Hoffman’s second rushing touchdown of the afternoon.
Despite the four point deficit, the Stingers had plenty of time to march down the field and they did so with poise. On second-and-9 from the Redmen 30-yard line, Kronemeyer threw a 20-yard pass up the middle to Chris Cvetkovic, who bobbled the ball but managed to make an impressive catch to keep the drive alive. The winning play came with 1:53 remaining, on an 11-yard pass by Kronemeyer to Dales, putting the Stingers ahead 31-28.
Kronemeyer, who went 24 for 33, with three touchdown passes and 339 yards passing, liked what he saw on the field. “Good things happened out there today. The first play of the game gave us some immediate momentum,” Kronemeyer said. Kronemeyer threw to seven different receivers in the game.
Dales, who demonstrated kicking and receiving versatility, caught three passes for 52 yards, including the game winning reception. “That was a hard fought game, but I am definitely happy with the win.”
Stingers coach Gerry McGrath was happy to see his team bounce back from an embarrassing loss the week before against the powerful Laval Rouge et Or. “That was one of the best games I’ve seen in years, especially with the great coaching on both sides. It was a true mental test to see how we would play after losing big last week,” McGrath said.
Runningback Mike Lynch carried most of the load for the Stingers ground game. He gained 94 yards on 21 carries.
The Stingers (5-2) now stand even with Laval for top spot in the QIFC, heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Concordia will host Bishop’s this Saturday and still have a chance to claim first place. Kickoff at Concordia Stadium is 1 p.m.
Things were going well early on for the Stingers as they recovered a McGill fumble off the opening kickoff by punter/receiver Burke Dales. Two plays later, Pat Donovan took the ball into the end zone on a two-yard run, putting the Stingers up by seven less than a minute into the game.
The Stingers added to their lead late in the opening quarter when quarterback Jon Kronemeyer threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to receiver Matt MacDonald, putting the Stingers ahead 14-0.
The Redmen came to life in the second quarter and put their first points on the scoreboard with 9:41 remaining on a seven-yard touchdown run by Nicholas Hoffman, cutting the Stingers lead in half. Only twenty four seconds later, Alain Rousseau fumbled a pass from Kronemeyer, resulting in a 24-yard touchdown run for the Redmen that tied the game at 14.
Concordia regained the lead before the end of the second half when Kronemeyer moved deep out of the pocket and found receiver Ricky Martin in the end zone, making the score 21-14 Concordia at the half.
McGill tied the game midway through the third quarter on a 65-yard punt return touchdown, leaving Concordia’s special teams unit wondering what hit them. Concordia regained the lead near the end of the quarter on an 18-yard field goal by Rob McCallum.
In the fourth quarter, the Redmen took a 28-24 lead with 5:32 remaining on Hoffman’s second rushing touchdown of the afternoon.
Despite the four point deficit, the Stingers had plenty of time to march down the field and they did so with poise. On second-and-9 from the Redmen 30-yard line, Kronemeyer threw a 20-yard pass up the middle to Chris Cvetkovic, who bobbled the ball but managed to make an impressive catch to keep the drive alive. The winning play came with 1:53 remaining, on an 11-yard pass by Kronemeyer to Dales, putting the Stingers ahead 31-28.
Kronemeyer, who went 24 for 33, with three touchdown passes and 339 yards passing, liked what he saw on the field. “Good things happened out there today. The first play of the game gave us some immediate momentum,” Kronemeyer said. Kronemeyer threw to seven different receivers in the game.
Dales, who demonstrated kicking and receiving versatility, caught three passes for 52 yards, including the game winning reception. “That was a hard fought game, but I am definitely happy with the win.”
Stingers coach Gerry McGrath was happy to see his team bounce back from an embarrassing loss the week before against the powerful Laval Rouge et Or. “That was one of the best games I’ve seen in years, especially with the great coaching on both sides. It was a true mental test to see how we would play after losing big last week,” McGrath said.
Runningback Mike Lynch carried most of the load for the Stingers ground game. He gained 94 yards on 21 carries.
The Stingers (5-2) now stand even with Laval for top spot in the QIFC, heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Concordia will host Bishop’s this Saturday and still have a chance to claim first place. Kickoff at Concordia Stadium is 1 p.m.
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