Marauders claim Yates Cup, set national record for consecutive wins

Spurred on by booming chants of “Go Mac Go,” the McMaster Marauders defeated the Guelph Gryphons 30-13 Saturday afternoon, in front of a packed house at Ron Joyce Stadium.

The victory earned the team their second Yates Cup title in as many years, and a ticket to Saturday’s Mitchell Bowl against the University of Calgary Dinos. The Marauders will host the game at 4 p.m. at Ron Joyce Stadium.

The team also set a national record for consecutive wins, with 20 victories stretching back to the 2011 season.

McMaster linebacker Shane Beaton, of Brampton, Ont., took the Dalt White Trophy as MVP of the Yates Cup game, claiming 10 solo tackles, including three tackles for a loss, and one pass breakup.

Last week, three Marauders and one outstanding head coach were honoured with major awards at an OUA press conference in Hamilton.

Kyle Quinlan – a key figure in last year’s Vanier Cup title run and a CFL prospect – was named OUA league MVP. The South Woodslee, Ont. native passed for passed for 2,457 yards en route to a perfect season. He’s already been pegged as a contender for the 2012 Hec Crighton Trophy, which honours the top player in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

Other winners included Aram Eisho, who was awarded the President’s Trophy (Stand-up Defensive Player) and Ben D’Aguilar, who took home the J.P. Metras Trophy as Lineman of the Year. Head coach Stefan Ptaszek was recognized as Coach of the Year with the Dave “Tuffy” Knight Award.

Quinlan was also named an OUA first team all-star for 2012, along with nine other Marauders: Elliott Montag, Jason Medeiros, Matt Sewell, Robert Babic, Tyler Crapigna, Ben D’Aguilar, Aram Eisho, Joey Cupido and Mike Daly.

Ptaszek’s pre-game speech to the team is below.