Photo by Valerie Wutti
OTTAWA – The Carleton Ravens head on the road looking for their first road playoff win since October 31, 2015. If the 2-4 Ravens need any inspiration heading into Saturday afternoon’s matchup they can look no further than that win just over 6 years ago. In 2015 the Ravens started off their season with a loss to the Gaelss before picking up a 39-8 victory two months later. Now, after an 0-2 season against the Gaels the Ravens look to repeat history at Richardson Stadium.
GoRavens.ca looks ahead at Saturday’s matchup with your keys to the game.
Gaels quarterback James Keenan is 16th in U SPORTS passing with 183.2 yards per game but has been dangerous against the Ravens averaging 213 yards per game while passing for 4 touchdowns. The Ravens were only able to get to Keenan twice, recording one sack and one interception in the two games.
Reid Vankoughnett had a day full of career highs in week 7, completing 16 of 26 for 220 yards while also running for his first career rushing touchdown. It was a great bounce-back effort after being picked off four times in week 5 at Queen’s and the Ravens will need their rookie quarterback to take yet another step in his return to Richardson Stadium.
If James Keenan wasn’t enough of a threat under centre, Rasheed Tucker has been an absolute game-breaker for the Gaels. Tucker has averaged 116.2 yards per game, despite being held to only 76.5 yards per game by the Ravens defense. Just shy of 700 yards in 6 games this season, the Ravens will need to contain Tucker for a third time if they want to cool off the Gaels back who had 8 touchdowns in October.
The Ravens and Gaels are both top-five teams in U SPORTS football when it comes to red zone conversions at 93% and 95% respectively. The Ravens will want to make more trips to the red zone, having only made 14 through 6 games, while slowing down the Gaels who averaged 3.67 a game throughout the regular season.
The Ravens and Gaels remain one of the oldest rivalries in Canadian university football, with a spot in the OUA East final on the line you can expect both teams to bring their best on Saturday afternoon. Don’t miss a minute of the action, tune in to OUA.tv and catch every play as the Ravens look to party on the road like it’s 2015.
