Queen’s Gaels leapfrog Western Mustangs in U Sports football rankings

Photo: Ian MacAlpine/Queen's Athletics

The Queen’s Gaels have reached the top-three in the U Sports national football rankings after beating the Western Mustangs for the first time since 2012.

Alex Vreeken threw for 404 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception to win 41-30 on Saturday. His favourite target on the day was fifth-year Russell Weir, who caught seven passes for 138 yards and two scores. The win improved Queen’s record to 5-0.

Jérôme Rancourt threw two touchdown passes for the Mustangs, but also tossed three interceptions and lost one fumble. Hec Crighton Trophy hopeful Ethan Dolby rushed 14 times for 96 yards in the loss, which moved Western into a tie for second place in the OUA standings alongside the McMaster Marauders at 4-1.

Western fell to No. 5 in the rankings, falling beneath the Saskatchewan Huskies.

The Huskies moved up from No. 5 to No. 4 after beating the UBC Thunderbirds by a score of 34-24, as Aulain Penner and Javin Boynton combined for three rushing touchdowns. The loss knocked UBC off the rankings after the program ranked No. 7 last week.

The Laurier Golden Hawks and Regina Rams also fell off the rankings after suffering losses to the Waterloo Warriors and Calgary Dinos, respectively.

The Windsor Lancers moved up from No. 8 to No. 7 after crushing the York Lions by a score of 51-2. Windsor’s defence was absolutely dominant, as the Lions managed only two first downs and 38 net yards of offence.

The McMaster Marauders, McGill Redbirds, and Guelph Gryphons have filled the bottom-three spots after previously being unranked. McMaster was on bye this past week, while the Redbirds beat the Bishop’s Gaiters, and the Gryphons smashed the Toronto Varsity Blues.

The Laval Rouge et Or (No. 1), Montreal Carabins (No. 2), and Saint Mary’s Huskies (No. 6) were the only three teams whose rankings remained unchanged.

The national rankings are made using a balance of media votes and ELO rankings, the latter of which are derived mathematically based on statistics and strength of schedule.

1) Laval — 160 points (80 media/80 ELO)

2) Montreal — 142 points (70 media/72 ELO)

3) Queen’s — 128 points (64 media/64 ELO)

4) Saskatchewan — 108 points (52 media/56 ELO)

5) Western — 90 points (50 media/40 ELO)

6) Saint Mary’s — 73 points (25 media/48 ELO)

7) Windsor — 53 points (21 media/32 ELO)

8) McMaster — 36 points (28 media/8 ELO)

9) McGill — 26 points (10 media/16 ELO)

10) Guelph — 25 points (1 media/24 ELO)

For a full recap of U Sports action this past week, click here.