CIS Roundup: McMaster wins 2nd straight Yates Cup, sets consecutive wins record
The No. 1 McMaster Marauders rolled to their second straight Yates Cup victory Saturday by defeating the No. 5 Guelph Gryphons 30-13 in the OUA final.
The Marauders also secured their 20th consecutive victory in Canadian university football play to break the previous record of 19 held by the Laval Rouge et Or set in 2004-05.
Kyle Quinlan tossed two touchdowns for the defending Vanier Cup champions, including a 21-yard strike to Tyler Loveday early in the second quarter, to take a 19-3 lead that the Marauders wouldn't relinquish.
McMaster will host the winner of the Canada West final between the No. 3 Calgary Dinos and the No. 7 Regina Rams in next weekend's Mitchell Bowl for a spot in the Vanier Cup. Calgary took on Regina later Saturday for the Hardy Cup.
Meanwhile, the other two national semifinalists are set after No. 2 Laval defeated the No. 10 Sherbrooke Vert et Or 40-17 in the Dunsmore Cup and the No. 9 Acadia Axemen topped the Saint Mary's Huskies 17-9 in the Loney Bowl.
Laval will host Acadia next weekend in the Uteck Bowl.
At Hamilton, Quinlan finished the day 16-of-20 passing with one interception. Michael Dicroc was his top receiving target, pulling down seven catches for 114 yards.
Guelph quarterback Jazz Lindsey, who finished 29-of-47 for 319 yards, scored the Gryphons' lone touchdown before the half on a one-yard run on third-and-goal.
McMaster, which secured its sixth Yates Cup in school history, hasn't lost since Sept., 10, 2011, against the Western Mustangs.
No. 2 Rouge et Or 40, No. 10 Vert et Or 17
At Quebec City, Tristan Grenon threw for two touchdowns and ran in two more scores as Laval topped Sherbrooke to win the Dunsmore Cup.
Grenon finished 10-of-20 passing for 131 yards and an interception for the Quebec champions.
Laval had a big day on the ground, rushing for 309 yards, including 119 from Maxime Boutin. Guillaume G. Bourassa added 112 yards and a TD.
Jeremi Roch and Sebastien Blanchard put up impressive numbers in the losing cause for Sherbrooke. Roch was 28-of-48 passing for 306 yards, one score and two interceptions, while Blanchard caught 12 balls for 182 yards.
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No. 9 Axeman 17, Huskies 9
At Wolfville, N.S., Kyle Graves hooked up with Taylor Renaud for the game's only touchdown as Acadia defeated Saint Mary's to win the Loney Bowl.
Graves finished 10-of-24 for 110 yards and an interception for the Axemen, while Thomas Troop rushed for 181 yards on 28 carries for the AUS champions.
Michael Dawes was one of the lone bright spots for Saint Mary's, rushing for 94 yards on 18 carries in a losing effort.
