ConU Gold Shines Brighter

Stingers Defeat Golden Gaels in Pre-Season Game

SportsJulian McKenzie — Published August 24, 2015

Stingers players acknowledged that they lacked energy in the first half, as they only scored five points. However, the team rebounded, scoring 16 of their 21 points in the final two quarters, while also providing better play offensively and defensively.

“It wasn’t perfect,” said Stingers quarterback Jahlani Gilbert-Knorren. “It was good to see that we came out in the second half and just fought for something.

“We came out a little flat and that was [partly because] of nerves, but in that second half it was good to see the team come together,”

ConU used four different quarterbacks as they search for a starter for their season opener on Sept. 4 against Sherbrooke. During the game, it was first-year players Trenton Miller and Gilbert-Knorren who stood out the most.

“Obviously, I’d love to be the starter,” said Miller, who threw 21 completions for 142 yards, including the game-winning touchdown pass to James Ohayon to end a nine-play, 85-yard drive with minutes left in the game. “I just try to focus on what I can control and let the rest just handle itself.”

While Gilbert-Knorren only threw ten completions for 78 yards, he used his feet to get himself 54 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Despite his play, he feels he hasn’t done enough to earn the starting job.

“Trenton came in and had a great game,” he said. “I came in, did some things. I don’t know. I couldn’t say who is the clear-cut starter. I think whoever goes in [as starting quarterback] against Sherbrooke is going to give us the best chance and whatever happens I’m good with it,”

Meanwhile, the Queen’s Golden Gaels, who play in the Ontario University Association, have been doing everything they can to prepare for their season opener on Aug. 30 against Carleton University.

Star receiver Doug Corby thought his team looked good despite the loss, and is already looking forward to the coming season.

“We’re going to be good,” said Corby. “We’ve got a new quarterback this year, we’ve got a returning [offensive] line, bunch of receivers ready to step up.”

“We just got to work out some kinks.”

“Last year was a rebuilding year for all of us,” said Queen’s linebacker Nelkas Kwemo. “We had a very young team that came through. It was the first time for a lot of the guys. But we’re returning and [winning the OUA division] is always the objective, and we’re aiming for [the Vanier Cup] and nothing less.”

In a previous edition of this article, it was written that Trenton Miller threw 21 completions while Jahlani Gilbert-Knorren threw ten completions. Instead, Miller threw 13 completions, Gilbert-Knorren threw only seven. The Link regrets the error.