A few years ago the OUA changed the schedule. There used to be a pre season game prior to a seven game schedule. After sitting through this one I'm thinking they should bring it back.

From the Western perspective, this game was not what we were expecting. Well into the third quarter the score was 10-1 in favour of Windsor. And they were looking good. Western was looking decidedly bad. But then things changed.

As expected the Mustangs came out running; or at least they tried to run. The much vaunted Mustang offensive line was completely ineffective against the Windsor defense. Knowing the Western passing game was suspect the Lancers stacked the middle with everyone in tight effectively daring the Mustangs to pass. Nobody's offensive line can block effectively against a ten man front. And without the line making holes, Fabian Rayne was unable to do anything. Even tailback Scott Crawley was generally unable to move, although he did have somewhat more success.

Part way through the third quarter the momentum began to change. With the running game continuing to founder, quarterback Mike O'Brien found receiver James Prescott with a 72 yard pass and run that left the Mustangs 1st and 10 on the Lancers 9 yard line. Two plays later Fabian Rayne fumbled the ball on the 1 and the score remained 10-1 for Windsor. But the series was important; it forced the Lancers to back off the line and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Mustang defence held and the Lancers chose to concede a safety rather than punt from the end zone. Score 10-3 Windsor. After the resulting kick off the Mustangs took only five plays and 96 seconds to even the score on a three yard Crawley touchdown run.

At 5:30 of the fourth quarter Mustang defensive back Adam McLeod intercepted a Windsor pass and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown. Score 17-10 Western. With the Lancer defence having backed off to protect the pass, the Mustang line was able to force some holes and allow Fabian Rayne to penetrate into the defensive back field. The result was four consecutive Rayne carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Score 24-10 Western. After a Mike O'Brien punt single, tailback Mike Laszlo carried five yards for the final score of the day with a minute left on the clock. Final score 32-10 Western.

Notes

The Windsor game plan was exactly what we can be expect this season if the passing game is an ineffective alternative to the run.

James Prescott looked good. Maybe the passing game will work out.

The defence looked good on all fronts. As expected, they are much improved over last season. They should only get stronger as the season progresses.

The opening day crowd was outstanding. The official number was 7500 but it looked like a lot more than that.

The mustangfootball.com player of the game is receiver James Prescott.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good - Western's defence.

The Bad - Western's sloppy and undiciplined play. Flags, several of them for rough play and conduct, took the Mustangs out of promising offensive drives.

The Ugly - The play call. With about 2 seconds left on the clock in the first half western was scrimmaging from the Windsor 2 yard line. With a back field consisting of Rayne, Crawley and Laszlo what would you have done? Coach Larry Haylor opted for a field goal attempt. It failed.