Marauders QB sets national record in season finale

McMaster quarterback Asher Hastings of Regina broke the CIS single-season touchdown record, tossing two touchdowns in a 46-24 loss against the Western Mustangs at Ron Joyce Stadium on Saturday.

Hastings connected with Danny Vandervoort of Barrie, Ont., on a five-yard strike for his 31st touchdown of the season, setting the new CIS mark with just 1:54remaining in the fourth quarter.

With that pass, he broke the previous CIS mark of 30 touchdown passes set by Chris Flynn of Saint Mary’s University in 1989.

Hastings tied Flynn’s record early in the fourth quarter, on a short, one-yard pass to Dan Petermann of Stoney Creek, Ont.

“He’s had a whale of a regular season,” said head coach Stefan Ptaszek of Hastings’ performance this year. “Thirty-one touchdown passes, when you consider that it has rained in six of our eight weeks of this season, is something goofy.

“He is one of the very best pocket passers that the CIS has ever seen, and I hope that people talk about him in CIS corners for many years to come.”

Western soured Hastings’ record-breaking day by scoring six touchdowns, including a back-breaking, 111-yard interception return by Malcolm Brown of London, Ont., which tipped the momentum in favour of the Mustangs.

Mustang running back Yannick Harou, of Gatinau, Que., rushed for three touchdowns in the win, while Will Finch and Tom Marshall each added a rushing touchdown of their own.

Penalties were a major factor in the loss, with McMaster being called 26 times for 234 yards.

McMaster finishes the regular season with a 6-2 record and will host the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks next week in an OUA quarterfinal game. The Golden Hawks steam rolled the Queen’s Gaels 49-26 in their regular-season finale to finish 4-4.

With the win, Western finished the OUA regular season with an 8-0 record and secured home-field advantage throughout the OUA playoffs.