Sabercats suffer first defeat

GUELPH -- The Sault Sabercats couldn't withstand a second half collapse for the second straight week as the Guelph Bears battled back from a 19 point half time deficit to hand the Sabercats their first loss.

Unable to control talented Bears quarterback Justin Dunk over the last 30 minutes, the Sabercats fell 29-26 here at Alumni Stadium on the University of Guelph campus on Saturday to fall to 3-1 at the midpoint of the Ontario Varsity Football League season.

In their home opener a week ago, the Sabercats nearly blew a 20 point half time lead to the Lambton Lions before turning in some big plays down the stretch to hang on for the win.

This week, the Sabercats had a chance to win on the game's final play but quarterback John Mullin's pass with the Sabercats on the Bears 10 yard line fell incomplete as time expired.

The final capped an interesting final minute of play. With 55 seconds remaining, Guelph decided to take a knee at midfield to run out the clock but the Sabercats had two time outs remaining to stop the clock.

On fourth down with 12 seconds left and needing only to scramble back into his end zone to concede a safety and force a kick off, Dunk mistakenly took a knee on his own 10 yard line with 5.5 seconds left giving the Sabercats two shots at a win or a tie to send the game into overtime.

The Cats took two shots at the end zone and both passing attempts fell incomplete.

The Sabercats dominated the first half of play and scored four touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 26-7 lead into the half.

Kofi Osei, who rushed for 100 yards on 15 carries, scored from four yards out before Tommy Reville caught an eight yard pass, Tysen Vanderloo blocked a punt and recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a major and Noah Rushon hauled in a 28 yard pass.

After Adam Lowe rushed for a 57 yard touchdown for Guelph on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, Dunk used his speed, agility and ability to throw on the run to escape the Sault's pressure defense and lead his team to the comeback win.

Mullin completed 15 of 33 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns to go with five interceptions. Rushon hauled in nine catches for 123 yards while Matt Premo caught four passes for 74 yards.

Defensively, Dan Swystun made 7.5 tackles while Mike Jurich added 5.5 and Marc Palumbo recorded two interceptions.

The Sabercats return to action next Saturday at Rocky DiPietro Field against the Brantford Bisons beginning at 2 p.m.