Canisius Relies on Rushing Attack, Defense to Earn Victory

Ryan Hunter (left) and Tyler Mascio (right)

            The Canisius Crusaders continued their perfect season Thursday night, dominating St. Francis to advance to the Monsignor Martin Championship game.

            Canisius beat the Red Raiders 44-20 in a game that was even more lopsided than the score would indicate.

            Standout running back Qadree Ollison continued his breakout season with 230 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. His performance gave him the Canisius single-season rushing record. His 1681 yards on the season eclipses the previous record of 1560 yards that Mercer Timmis set last year.

            “We’re playing great,” Ollison said after the game. “We’re playing our best football we’ve played all year.”

            Ollison’s two touchdowns also tied him with Timmis for the single-season rushing touchdown record, which stands at 22.
            Quarterback Tyler Mascio chipped in as well, throwing for 190 yards and a touchdown on 8-11 passing. He also ran the ball 8 times for 23 yards and two touchdowns.

            The Crusader defense once again played physically Thursday, just as they have done all season. After the game, head coach Rich Robbins was noticeably pleased by his defense’s performance

            “I’m the most proud of my defense,” Robbins said. “Very physical tonight. We knew playing a Jerry Smith St. Francis team, you better be physical, because they will be, and we were. I was proud of some of those big hits and tackles and stops that we got in the first half to get us going.”

            Senior lineman Ryan Hunter agreed with his coach’s assessment of the game.

            “We were real physical on defense,” he said.

            Physicality seemed to be the word on everyone’s mind after the win. Both Hunter and Robbins talked about the need for Canisius to be physical when they play Timon next week for the league title.

            “They’re tough kids,” said Robbins. “We had a hell of a game with them Friday night a couple weeks ago out at Tift, and I expect nothing different on Saturday.”

Ollison celebrates a fourth quarter TD with his teamates

            Hunter agreed, adding that he was eager to play another physical team that also boasts playmakers like Canisius.

            “I’m excited to play them. Timon is a really good team, they’re really physical up front," he said. "They have some great weapons, DiMillo, Jackson Brown, players like that. It should be a really good, physical game.”

            Canisius and Timon will square off next Saturday at noon at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Canisius won the first matchup between the two schools 26-14 on Oct. 19. That game came down to the fourth quarter before the Crusaders could secure the victory.

            Not only will the league title be on the line next Saturday, but various other records will be sought after as well. Canisius will look to complete their first perfect season since 1975. That team went 8-0. If the Crusaders win, they will finish 11-0.

            Ollison will look to become the single-season rushing touchdown record holder. He only needs one touchdown for that. Two touchdowns would make him the team’s overall single-season touchdowns record holder.

            Timon will also be looking to make history. A Tiger victory would give Timon its first ever Monsignor Martin playoff championship.

            “Timon is a great team,” said a focused Ollison after the game. “They showed up tonight against St. Joe’s. We just have to go back next week and go to work, just like we’ve been doing all season.”