The Western Mustangs begin a series of three games over 11 days with a difficult test against a veteran-laden Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks squad Wednesday night (Sept. 1, 7 p.m.) at TD Waterhouse Stadium.
Western, who also faces the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the nation’s capital on Sept. 6 (1 p.m.) and returns home to host McMaster on Sept. 11 (1 p.m.), knows it’s arguably the toughest start any CIS team faces in 2010.
Head coach Greg Marshall hopes to defeat the highly touted Golden Hawks and will need a great game to do so. He believes a productive training camp has helped in preparations.
“We’ve been progressing pretty well. We had a good camp, lots of practices,” says Marshall, now in his fourth season. “I thought (the Saskatchewan exhibition game) was a good experience. Our starters got a few reps in. And I think if anything some of our younger players who we may very well need to play this year got some of their nerves out playing their first university game.”
Marshall adds the young Mustangs needed the opportunity to adapt to the university game, which has a higher speed and more physicality than high school or club football.
“Training camp was good and we’re kind of winding down and getting ready to focus on Wilfrid Laurier,” he says.
For tickets, got to westernmustangs.ca or call 519-661-3090.