Laurier football team earns playoff bye after blowout against Western

CTV’s Karis Mapp finds out what’s next for Wilfrid Laurier University’s football team after an impressive performance against the Mustangs.

Wilfrid Laurier University’s football team is living up to its golden name. The Golden Hawks finished their regular season undefeated on Saturday after a dominant performance against the Western Mustangs.

Despite a slow first half, Laurier began a scoring frenzy in the second, with a blowout 60-13 final score.

“We didn’t expect to put up 60 points on Western,” said Laurier’s head coach Michael Fauls. “But [I’m] just so proud of our players. All three phases: offence, defence and special teams.”

A truly rewarding victory given that it was hosted by Western in London.

“Definitely a bit more of a hostile environment for us, but I think our team mentality is just about us. It’s about the 50 guys that we’re bringing, our coaches, our trainers and our fans,” Laurier quarterback Callum Wither said.

With the win, comes a bye in the first-round of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs. Time that Coach Faulds said they’ll use to rest before their next matchup.

“Having that extra week where we can get guys healthy, where we can work on some other things and get prepared for our long playoff run is what we’re going to do,” he said.

A stacked roster on and off the field with former Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma now back as an assistant coach.

Elgersma previously spent some time in the NFL.

“It just speaks to the character of the guy,” said Faulds.

“He went from throwing a touchdown pass at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, to now being an assistant quarterback coach with us.”

The perfect mentor for Laurier’s current quarterback.

“Being able to have someone that’s been in my position, [who] has done it all that I’m striving to do,” Wither explained. “I’m very grateful for it.”

The Golden Hawks are the reigning Yates Cup champions but players said they’re not feeling any additional pressure.

“You go to work every day, put your head down and let the scoreboard do its own thing,” said Laurier receiver Ryan Hughes, who scored two touchdowns on Saturday.

The Golden Hawks will have to wait until the first round of playoffs conclude. They will then host the lowest-ranked team at University Stadium for their semi-final matchup.