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21_V1_WAT_Oct26 Th ursday, October 26, 2017 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • 21Serving your community since 1856 SPORTS WATERLOO CHRONICLE By Adam Jackson Chronicle Sta� Tristan Arndt knew just days before the big-gest game of the Golden Hawks' season that he would get the ball. � e second-string quarterback found out early in the week that Michael Knevel would not be able to make his next scheduled start against the McMaster Marauders -- a game where the win- ner gets a � rst-round bye in the playo� s. "It felt good. It took a little bit to settle in there, but once I got into a rhythm, it was good," said Arndt, a London native, after the game. "It was good" is a bit of an understatement. The second-year quarterback with only one 10-yard pass to his name led the Golden Hawks to a 40-15 win over McMaster, while going 18-for-23 for a total of 213 passing yards and three touch- downs. Arndt also added a 53-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. For head coach Michael Faulds and his 6-2 Golden Hawks, both sides of the game -- o� ence and defence -- � nally clicked together. "This is the first time both O and D came together in the same game and this game proves what we can do if we do that," said Faulds after the game. "� at's why we recruited Tristan out of Lon- don. We knew that he was very calm out there and we've groomed him for a couple years," said Faulds. Faulds added that during summer meetings, he reminded players to be prepared, because they never know when their opportunity will come. When it was con� rmed that Knevel's injury was too bad for him to make the next game, Faulds reminded Arndt of that conversation. "He kind of chuckled. But, sure enough, he played amazingly," said Faulds, who expects Knevel to make the semi� nal round, two weeks from Saturday. While Arndt's performance was to be noted, there are other o� ensive players who made their mark. Receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. had 10 catches -- some of which were highlight worthy -- for a total of 114 yards and one touchdown. With that, Git- tens Jr. became the USports single-season recep- tions leader with 75 and Laurier's single-season receiving yards leader with 953. "I don't know what to say right now. It's an honour, but our � rst goal is to get the win and we got it," said Gittens Jr., who committed the barrage against the second-ranked defence in the country. On the defensive side of the ball, one more record fell. Defensive lineman Robbie Smith � n- ished the game with 3.5 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. His two sacks gave him 10.5 on the year, breaking the Hawks' single-season record of 9.5. � e Yates Cup semi� nal game, which will be hosted by Laurier at University Stadium, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4. Laurier will play the winner of the McMaster vs. Queen's quarter-� nal game, scheduled for Oct. 28 at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton. Queen's plays spoiler to Warriors With a 4-4 record and a bye in the last week of the season, the Waterloo Warriors football team had to do a lot of hoping and waiting. � e War- riors had playoff potential, needing losses from both the University of Ottawa and Queen's Uni- versity on Saturday. While the Western Mustangs handily took care of Ottawa 63-10, the struggling Toronto Varsity Blues fell 59-38 to Queen's, dash- ing the Warriors' playo� hopes. Regardless of missing the playoffs, the War- riors seem poised to become a strong team in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) group. The core of young players won the first four games of the season, putting an end to their 0-16 run and leading Waterloo to its best football record in more than a decade. Chris Bertoia, head coach and manager of football operations at the University of Waterloo (UW), was in Toronto scouting on Saturday, but often checked his phone to see the results of the two teams the Warriors needed to lose. "Knowing you were so close to playing in the quarter-� nals, it stings a bit and it is disappoint- ing," said Bertoia, known for his optimism. "But, no one expected us to be 4-4." � e Warriors started the season with a blister- ing 4-0, but in the Battle of Waterloo game, Laurier handed it to the Warriors, bringing them down to earth. From there, the black and yellow had their chances to tack on another win, but couldn't fol- low through. While missing the playo� s stings, Bertoia said the youth on the team gives him something to look forward to for the new few years. Young tal- ent like brothers Tre and Tyrell Ford were leaders on the young team that is bound to get better as players develop. During the last game of the season, Bertoia said, 39 of the 47 dressed players were either third- year or less. "We're going to keep working our asses off with a smile on our face," said Bertoia. ADAM JACKSON PHOTO Tristan Arndt, the Laurier Golden Hawks backup quarterback, was called on during the � nal game of the regular season and he delivered. Second string success Laurier's backup quarterback leads team to big win, � rst-round bye Two Ways to Connect with Customers For details about our print and online advertising packages, contact your media consultant or call 519.623.3050 ext 232