It was late October, sunny with the temperature near 20 degrees. Not a cloud in the sky. A bit of wind. Absolutely perfect conditions for football. It all hid the storm brewing underneath.

The Mustangs played an almost perfect game on the field this week amid turmoil off. The Western football program has been placed on probation for two years. Head coach Larry Haylor has removed himself as coach for the last two regular season games (including this game) but will coach the playoffs. Rookie Preston Haynes, facing hit-and-run criminal charges, has been suspended from the football team. And, if this isn't enough so far, all upper class players will be ineligible for athletic awards this season.

On the field, however, it was a great day. The Mustang offence clicked on all fronts while the defence didn't allow a touchdown all game. Mix in a little razzle dazzle by both teams and it was a good day to be a Western fan. Western's first drive ended in a touchdown. On Guelph's next drive, their second of the game they lined up to punt in what appeared to be typical three and out scenario. But the Gryphons had other things in mind. It tuned out to be a fake and Guelph kept the ball. The drive ended with a field goal.

Western's next drive ended quickly and Guelph came back with another field goal. Seconds into the second quarter the score was Western 7, Guelph 6. At this point it looked like it was going to be a close one. But then the Mustang offense really got going scoring 39 unanswered points. And they used a little razzle dazzle of their own. With the score 21-6 after a TD by Jim Meldrum, kicker Jeff Proctor executed a perfect on-side kick that the Mustangs recovered on the Guelph 51. On the very next play quarterback Mike O'Brien completed a perfect pass to Ray Krumme who took the ball into the end zone for another Western touchdown.

As usual, Scott Crawley led the way rushing gaining 96 yards on 17 carries. Also as usual, Fabian Rayne was the go-to guy near the end zone. He rushed 11 times for 68 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mike O'Brien ran 3 times for 30 yards. For Guelph, Gerrit Stam carried 24 times for 206 yards. In the passing department O'Brien completed 11 of 17 attempts for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ray Krumme caught three of those for 104 yards and one touchdown. Dan Disley caught 4 balls for 99 yards.

Notes

• In Larry Haylor's absence, Defensive Co-ordinator Bob LaRose was interim head coach while Steve Samways called the offense.

• The mustangfootball.com player of the game is Ray Krumme.

• Mike O'Brien's passing is improving. But there were a few broken plays due to miscommunication with receivers.

• O'Brien did a good job running the ball when receivers were too well covered. But he got a little too into being a running back in the second half when he seemed to bail out on plays too soon in favour of running it himself.

• Western receiver Dan Disley broke the Mustang single season receiving record in the second quarter. The record was previously held by Tyrone Williams.

• Guelph running back Gerrit Stam broke the Gryphon single season rushing record during the game.

• American patriotism can be sickening. At half time a marching band from an Ohio university performed. The dancing girls waved red, white and blue flags while the first three songs were America, American Pie and Battle Hymn of the Republic. Is there a message here?