Marauders lock up fourth place with win at Toronto

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[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/archibald2.jpg” caption=”Quarterback Adam Archibald “]The McMaster Marauders survived through tough weather and a sloppy Varsity Stadium field to defeat the Varsity Blues, 63-13, and clinch a home-playoff date this Saturday.

Fifth-year receiver Vaughan Swart put the exclamation point on his fine career with five catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns. His fifth and final catch was the 151st of his career, making him the career leader in that category at McMaster, passing receivers coach Ryan Janzen (1996-2000). With his two touchdown scores, Swart also set the new school record for career receiving touchdowns. With 19 touchdowns, Swart passed Clorindo Grilli's (1981-1985) mark of 17. Swart finished the season with 39 catches for 804 yards (3rd in CIS) and four touchdowns. His 804 receiving yards was the second highest single-season total in McMaster history, behind Janzen's 1,034 yards in 2000.

Also setting school records on Saturday was rookie running back Jordan Kozina. Kozina rushed 20 times for 283 yards and two touchdowns against Toronto and finished the season with 1,188 yards on 157 carries with seven touchdowns. His final yardage put him second in the country (Daryl Stephenson, Windsor, 1,306 yards) and was the second highest rushing total by a rookie in the CIS (Daryl Stephenson, Windsor 2004 – 1,192 yards). Even though he did not win the country rushing title, Kozina's 7.6 average yards per carry is higher than any other runner in the country with over 100 carries.

McMaster ends the 2005 campaign with a 5-3 record, good for fourth place in the OUA. The Marauders will now host the Windsor Lancers in OUA quarterfinal action this weekend. Back in week one, McMaster defeated the Lancers 29-22 in Windsor in a closely-fought contest. Windsor is led by the country's leading rusher, 232-pound Daryl Stephenson, who draws comparisons to former McMaster runner Jesse Lumsden.

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