A touchdown pass from Will Finch to receiver Harry McMaster only 49 seconds into the game got the Western Mustangs started and they never looked back, cruising to a 74-10 win over the York Lions Monday night at TD Stadium.
Playing in front of a packed house of 11,832 fans for the team’s annual Orientation Week Game, the Mustangs recorded their second straight big win to start the season after last week’s 76-7 victory over Windsor.
The Mustangs scored on their first four possessions in the first quarter and were up 33-0 after only 15 minutes of play. In only two quarters of play Finch had another stellar performance, finishing a perfect 14 for 14 for 304 yards and three touchdowns, while adding another on the ground before making way for backup Josh Beach for the second half.
McMaster was Finch’s favorite target finishing with seven catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns, the first two of his CIS career.
The dominance of the pass game opened the running game wide open as the four-headed monster of Alex Taylor, Adam Sinclair, Yannick Harou and rookie Cedric Joseph were given space and time once again courtesy of a dominating offensive line. The ball was spread evenly throughout the four backs, with none getting more than eight or less than four touches each. Taylor led the group going for 94 yards on only four carries with two touchdowns.
The Western offensive unit was virtually unstoppable all night, recording 744 yards of total offence. In fact, the Mustangs finished each of their first five drives with either a touchdown or a field goal, with their first non-scoring drive only coming in the second quarter.
Defensively, the Mustangs capitalized on the small amount of time being allowed the York quarterbacks. Two rushed throws from Lions quarterback Eric Kimmerly were picked off and converted for touchdowns on the ensuing drives. Jesse McNair led the Mustangs defence with 9.5 tackles and one interception that he returned for 21 yards.
Fans can watch Saturday’s game on OUA.tv and listen on CHRW Radio 94.9 FM or on Newstalk 1290 CJBK with Tom McConnell and former Mustangs coach Larry Haylor calling all the action.