The Queen’s Gaels have won the Yates Cup for the first time since 2009, doing so in upset fashion over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks by a score of 30-27.
Queen’s held a commanding 27-3 lead at halftime thanks to four interceptions from their defence, one of which was returned 33 yards for a touchdown by Justin Pace. Alex Vreeken also threw a touchdown pass to Cedric Smith, while rushing for another score himself.
The Golden Hawks came storming back in the second half, getting touchdowns from Quentin Scott, Jesulayomi Ojutalayo, and William Russell, but Queen’s got the last of three field goals from Tyler Mullan, which proved to be the game-winning points.
“It’s a great group of human beings all the way through the entire department, the entire football program,” Queen’s head coach Steve Snyder told the school’s website. “They care so much. They have been through a lot. Everybody’s got their own story and they stay committed. The commitment and resiliency and emotional toughness of this group is unlike any group I’ve ever been around.
“I’m happy for Kingston, Ont. and all of our alumni and all of our students, all of our supporters. This is for everyone that’s ever put on the Tricolour, and that’s ever laid a brick to the foundation to what is now the 2025 team. We’ve got a lot of amazing supporters, great alumni. The guys that I’ve coached since 2019, this is for them, because they helped build this. This team finished it off but there is a lot of people that built this thing up.”
Vreeken finished the game completing 16-of-27 pass attempts for 169 yards and one score, while Jared Chisari rushed 15 times for 61 yards. Jared Siewe led the Gaels with 10.5 tackles, while Jacob Baldwin made two interceptions.
Cal Wither, Laurier’s starting quarterback, completed 26-of-40 pass attempts for 288 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. Quentin Scott ran the ball 14 times for 88 yards and one score, while Dawson Hodge went two-for-two on field goals.
The Golden Hawks entered the Yates Cup as the heavy favourite with an undefeated record of 9-0, including a playoff win over the Guelph Gryphons last week. Queen’s entered the game 6-3 after knocking off the Windsor Lancers in one of two OUA semifinals.
The Gaels will now visit the Saskatchewan Huskies in the Hardy Cup after they defeated the Regina Rams by a score of 25-24 on Saturday.
