Hamilton, Ont. (Oct. 19, 2025) - The Carleton Ravens football season came to a painful end on Saturday afternoon as the Ravens lost 41-39 to McMaster and failed to get help on the road.
The Ravens' first half was a shootout, exchanging big plays for touchdowns as Elijah Barnes and Frederick Hachey connected for three touchdowns, including a 77-yard catch and run touchdown to get the Ravens on the board in the first quarter.
McMaster would lead 22-7 in the first half before Hachey and Barnes connected twice in the second quarter to enter halftime tied. Between Hachey touchdowns, Barnes connect with Nash McDonald for a global catch of the year candidate. Rolling to his left, Barnes pointed to the sideline before sailing a ball above McDonald's head along the sideline. McDonald climbed the ladder and hauled in the soaring pass with one hand, pinning it to his body as he did a backwards somersault after making contact with the ground.
The Ravens would turn that circus catch into a field goal attempt, which sailed inches wide above the upright, but earned Carleton a rouge.
The two teams opened the third trading field goals before Mac ran out to a 35-25 lead. Unphased, Carleton again charged back with Barnes finding Tristan Ready for a pair of second-half touchdowns. The second, coming with only 1:18 left on the clock, to put Carleton ahead by 1.
Trailing for the first time all game, McMaster would drive 80 yards on 8 plays, setting up a game-winning field goal opportunity. Michael Horvat would miss his first attempt at the win, but a tumbling Raven would bowl into the Marauders' kicker, giving him another chance at the win. Given the second chance, Horvat would make no mistake driving his kick right down the middle for the victory.
With the loss, the Ravens needed a York Lions win to make the playoffs. However, waiting for help from others rarely works out, and despite driving the length of the field in the final minute, the Lions would be stopped on the one-yard line, ending both their season and that of the Ravens in the process.
Despite capturing the 56th Panda Game, the Ravens finish 3-5 and fail to make the OUA playoffs for the second consecutive season.
