Gaels looking forward to a full house under the lights

The Gaels host top-ranked Laurier this Friday night.

The Queen's Gaels football team are expecting a huge crowd and a tough opponent at Richardson Stadium.

The Gaels are hosting the defending Yates Cup champions the Laurier Golden Hawks this Friday night.

Queen's (1-1) is coming off a victory, their first of the season, on the road last Saturday in Hamilton against the McMaster Marauders.

Head coach Steve Snyder says they were able to rebound after a heartbreaking season-opening loss at home to Western on Aug. 23.

The Golden Hawks (2-0) are tied with Laval at the top of the USPORTS football rankings after beating Guelph and Windsor to start the season. Queen's is in the Top-10 at number five.

Cal Wither took over as the Golden Hawks' starting quarterback from OUA MVP Taylor Algersma who tried out for the NFL's Green Bay Packers this summer and was released last week at the end of training camp.

Snyder says the Golden Hawks have a lot of talent and it will be a good test for the Gaels to stop their momentum.

Fourth-year receiver/quarterback Russell Weir returned five punts for 73 yards and one kickoff for 26 yards for the Gaels in Saturday's win.

He feels the game against the Golden Hawks will be an important one for his team.

Friday's game will be the first and only night game of the regular season for the Gaels. It is also the first game at home since the students returned to the university for the fall semester.

Snyder expects a full house at Richardson.

Weir says the home crowd has been a factor when they play and hopes that will continue for their game on Friday.

Kick off at Richardson Stadium on Friday is set for 6:30 pm.

Story by Ken Hashizume