Mustangs eyeing return to Vanier — on home turf
A 34-11 season-opening win over Guelph has Western’s football team as the early No. 1-ranked team in the nation. Can the Mustangs ‘run it back’ and defend their title at home?
The Mustangs opened the 2022 season with a 34-11 win over the Guelph Gryphons Aug. 27 at Western Alumni Stadium. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
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They’re the defending champs, and they’re looking to ‘run it back’ this fall. All the way back to the Vanier Cup, in fact – and this time on home turf.
Western University will host the prestigious national championship this November – a first for the institution and the city of London. And the Mustangs? Well, they’re hoping to be playing in that game and defending their title from a year ago.
Last December, head coach Greg Marshall led his troops to a 27-21 win over the Saskatchewan Huskies in the 2021 Vanier Cup in Quebec City. It was the eighth national title in Western’s storied football history, and, impressively, the second win (and third appearance) for the Mustangs in the last four Vanier events (prior to 2017, Western hadn’t won since 1994).
The good news for this year’s hosts? They’ve returned several key players from that championship-winning team – and they’re off to a good start in 2022.
The Mustangs perhaps solidified their status as the team to beat this season in their opener last weekend, as they ran past the visiting Guelph Gryphons, 34-11, at Western Alumni Stadium. Yes, they shook off some rust in the contest, as witnessed by a mere four-point lead (10-6) at halftime. But their perpetually strong ground game took over in the second half, and quarterback Evan Hillock, last year’s Vanier Cup MVP, also delivered a couple of touchdown throws.
They may not admit their primary motivation is playing for a Vanier on home turf. You know, take it one game at a time sort of thing. But it’s most definitely in the back of the minds of all returnees. Just ask Marshall.
“They’ve been there. They felt the excitement of what last season created,” the coach said. “They want to get back to it. They want to do it again.”
It starts with Hillock, the sophomore quarterback who didn’t even begin last season as the starter but took over in short order and led the Mustangs to that 2021 national title (he threw for 274 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the big game). He entered 2022 a perfect 8-0 as a starter, and offensive coordinator Gaetan Richard believes he’s only continued to progress in understanding the team’s system.
“He was very good at coming in and understanding everything. He’s an ultimate competitor who’s looking to make exceptional plays at times,” Richard said. “Understanding the situation when we’re in the red zone … We want to come out with points and not turn the ball over, stuff like that. I think he’s improved in those areas.”
If Hillock is the driver, it’s his offensive line and running backs who are the engine, churning out yards on the ground and putting immense pressure on defenses to slow down Western’s offensive attack. That was on display for much of the second half last weekend.
(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
Keon Edwards is the top back, and he’s looking to build off a stellar 2021 season in which he led the OUA in rushing with 1,146 yards (390 more than second-place Rasheed Tucker of Queen’s). Edwards averaged 127.3 yards per game (and 7.1 yards per carry) while rushing for 13 touchdowns in nine games.
As is Western’s custom, they’ve got a very strong second back in Edouard Wanadi, who returns to the Western backfield with a larger role with the graduation of Trey Humes. Even in 2021, with a ‘three-headed monster’ running back corps, Wanadi managed 528 yards on 56 carries (an impressive 9.4 yards per attempt). And he improved as the season went along, highlighted by a spectacular performance in the Mitchell Bowl, where he rushed for 238 yards and three touchdowns in Western’s 61-6 blowout win over St. Francis Xavier.
“Last year, we had three guys at the beginning of the year that we wanted to give carries to, and I think we did a good job of mixing it up,” said Marshall. “With Trey gone, we got Keon and Edouard. Edouard will have a larger role early in the season.”
In Week 1, Wanadi racked up 105 yards on nine carries, while Edwards compiled 118 yards on 12 attempts (with two touchdowns), as the Mustangs alternated series with the backs in an effort to keep both fresh. It also gives the competition more to handle with two bigtime backs.
“We’ll try to get our 12 best guys on the field and find ways to create mismatches for opposing defences,” said Marshall.
The aforementioned offensive line may just be the Mustangs’ greatest advantage this season.
“I think it’s one of our strengths. That’s a position we’re pretty deep at,” Marshall said. “It will take a lot for a freshman offensive lineman to come and make a contribution.”
That’s because the returning starters come with so much talent and skill on the line. Veteran centre Elliot Beamer, for instance, and right guard Phillip Grahovac, who are joined by London locals Zach Fry and Matt Adams. Second-year linemen Alex Berwick and Keegan O’Neil will be relied on as well.
At wide receiver, the Mustangs return Savaughn Magnaye-Jones and Griffin Campbell, the team’s top two targets in 2021 (the third, Brett Ellerman, has graduated). Magnaye-Jones was tops in the OUA with 656 receiving yards last season (his 82 yard per-game average was fourth). Campbell, meanwhile, tied for third in total yards (472) while securing five touchdown catches (Magnaye-Jones had four). Campbell was also the recipient of both Hillock touchdown throws in Western’s Vanier Cup win.
Neither had a big game last Saturday, as Hillock was just 13-for-23 for 155 yards in the win over the Gryphons, and his completions were spread out along six different receivers – including Wanadi, who hauled in two passes for 55 yards and a touchdown (Magnaye-Jones had Western’s other receiving touchdown, a nine-yard catch in the fourth quarter).
If the offense is a pretty safe bet to fire on all cylinders this season (assuming everyone is healthy), the defense does have some question marks. There are some holes – although that wasn’t apparent in Week 1, as the Mustangs allowed just 11 points and 199 yards in total.
Western lost four key components of their defensive line from last season – most notably, Deionte Knight, who was a dominant force for the Mustangs and has since moved on to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
Mustangs players during training camp. (Photo: Josh Mailloux).
“That’s obviously our biggest concern, and it’ll be our biggest focus,” said Marshall. “We’re hoping some freshmen coming up can fill those voids.”
Newcomer Conner Fransizi, who spent last season playing with Alabama A&M, and Londoner Nate Gonzalez, a transfer from Simon Fraser University, should have big impacts on the defence. Per Marshall: “Those are two transfers we hope that can come in and give us a little bit of a spark.”
Zach Lindley is now playing with the Montreal Alouettes at the linebacker position. This year’s Mustangs linebacker corps is the youngest on the team – and, not surprisingly, the position Western most lacks depth. Louren Bowers-Kane and Riley McLeod are back for their second seasons, though, and while both players had little experience last year, they performed well down the stretch.
Daniel Valente Jr.’s return from the Ottawa Redblacks is definitely a nice treat for the Mustangs. The defensive back, who was a major award winner at last year’s Vanier Cup, had four interceptions in nine games last season. Last Saturday alone, he nearly matched that mark, intercepting three passes – one for a 44-yard return.
“We are happy with Danny,” said Marshall. “Through the spring, we were planning on him not being there, so it’s a pleasant surprise with Danny back.”
Valente’s presence means Rob Panabaker returns to his position at halfback (Panabaker also recorded an interception in Western’s season opener).
Undoubtedly, Western will be the team other schools are looking to take down this season. They’re the defending champs, after all, and they earned the No.1 spot in the first edition of USport’s football rankings, which were released midweek (Saskatchewan was No. 2, with Montreal, Laval and Queen’s rounding out the top five. Other OUA teams included Waterloo at No. 8 and Guelph at No. 9).
The Mustangs will see both Queen’s (Sept. 10, 7pm, at home) and Waterloo (Sept. 24, 1pm, at home) in September. Before that, though, it’s Laurier this Saturday (7pm on the road). October will feature games against McMaster, Toronto, Windsor and Ottawa, before the OUA playoffs begin in late October. When the dust settles, Western is hoping to capture another Yates Cup and a trip to the national semi-final before – hopefully – getting the opportunity to defend their Vanier Cup title at home Nov. 26.
“Hosting the Vanier Cup gives a good buzz to the team,” Marshall said. “Our players are excited about the opportunity to compete for the Vanier Cup, [especially] having it in London. With the great season we had last year, and the way it finished … and for a lot of young players, it’s their opportunity to step up. I know that they’re excited to play.”
The defending champion London Lightning begin their title defense Nov. 23 on the road vs. Sudbury, the first of a 34-game schedule that runs thru March. Home opener happens Nov. 28 vs. Newfoundland.