HAMILTON (August 25, 2017) - The McMaster Marauders secured a 22-10 preseason non-conference U SPORTS football victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday night at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton.
McMaster's Jackson White threw for 131 yards and hit Brett Ledingham for the game's only passing touchdown in the second quarter. Second-year running back Jordan Lyons punched in a three-yard touchdown with 54 seconds remaining in the game.
Adam Preocanin was two for three in field goal attempts, registering his longest at 25 yards. Preocanin also missed a 47-yard attempt.
Saskatchewan's Colton Klassen had a game high 115 yards rushing (on 11 carries) while McMaster's Justice Allin posted 89 yards on 13 carries. Klassen scampered for 50 yards for the Huskies on the opening play of the game setting up an eventual eventual one-yard touchdown rush by Mason Nyus. That score put Saskatchewan on the board with a 7-0 score just minutes into the game.
McMaster scored 13 second-quarter points in a span of six minutes, which turned the game's momentum and ultimately handed the Marauders the win. After a Preocanin field goal from 25 yards out, McMaster's Nolan Putt intercepted a Saskatchewan pass with a short six-yard return. McMaster didn't waste any time in capitalizing, with White hitting Ledingham on a 28-yard strike to push the score to 10-7 in the second quarter. Preocanin hit his second field goal from 22 yards to make the game 13-7 with four minutes remaining in the second quarter.
McMaster's receiving core saw eight players contribute, with Tommy Nield leading the way with 44 yards receiving on three catches. Saskatchewan's David Solie was the game's top receiver with 96 yards on eight catches.
Huskies quarterbacks were a combined 23 for 44 with 256 passing yards. Fourth-year starter Kyle Siemen finished his two quarters of work throwing for 113 yards with 11 completions and one interception. Rookie Mason Nyhus was 12 for 25 with 143 yards passing and three interceptions.
Both teams will open the regular season next week. The Huskies travel to Winnipeg to meet the Manitoba Bisons to open the Canada West season on September 1, while the Marauders visit the Carleton Ravens in Ottawa on September 3 to open the OUA season.
Game Notes: This was the first time McMaster has hosted a preseason game at Ron Joyce Stadium. The last time the Marauders hosted a preseason tilt was in 1994 at the old Les Prince Field vs. Bishop's University. It was the first ever meeting between McMaster and Saskatchewan in exhibition or regular season play.