SEASON PREVIEW: Gee-Gees football returns to action for 2024 campaign
With the 2024 Gee-Gees football season set to kick off on Sunday, Aug. 25 against the defending Yates Cup champion Western Mustangs, it is time to look ahead at what the season has in store.
Last year's injury hampered season is in the rearview mirror for the Gee-Gees, as they set their sights on a year full of new opportunities.
With a fresh crop of talent and key returning pieces back in the fold, expectations are high for the Garnet and Grey to return to the conversation of OUA contenders.
After week one's test against Western, Ottawa will take to the road in consecutive weeks to take on York and Waterloo, two teams looking to improve on their records from a year ago.
Ottawa will return to Gee-Gees Field (200 Lees Ave.) on Sept. 14 to take on a familiar rival in the Queen's Gaels. As always, the eyes of the OUA will be fixed to the clash of Eastern Ontario rivals as the Gee-Gees look to avenge two narrow losses to close the regular season and OUA quarterfinals last fall.
The most intense stretch of the season sees Ottawa visit Windsor and Laurier in consecutive weeks (Sept. 21 & 28) to take on two of the top squads in the OUA. The Gee-Gees return to the Nation's Capital for the 55th Panda Game against Carleton at TD Place on Oct. 6. Tickets for the 2024 matchup will go on sale on Sept. 10 as the Gee-Gees look to secure Pedro for the sixth consecutive time.
A timely bye week follows for Thanksgiving, before the Gee-Gees host historic foes in Toronto at Gee-Gees Field on Oct. 19 to close the regular season.
On defence, the Gee-Gees return a host of familiar faces, including All-Canadian defensive backs Eric Cumberbatch and Kevin Victome. A new-look linebacking corps brings a fast and physical identity to the table to replace key graduating talent. Meanwhile, Kevin Anderson and Riley Hildebrandt anchor a hungry group on the line.
On the offensive side of the ball, five returning starters on the offensive line will be key security for veteran quarterback Ben Maracle's return after his 2023 season ended in the first quarter of week one. In the backfield, an opportunity has emerged for Charles Asselin and Souleymane Camara to step into the spotlight. A mix of veteran receivers and young talent has had competition fierce through training camp.
On special teams, while surefooted kicker Campbell Fair has graduated out, Zachary Copeland is ready for his chance, while Carleton transfer Denny Ferdinand is ready to once again make his mark in the OUA returning kicks.
What They're Saying:
"For us our identity is to be a physical team that executes at a high level. If we can accomplish those two things we can win a lot of football games. We're focusing on being the best we can be, we need to go into week one and every week measuring ourselves versus ourselves." – Marcel Bellefeuille, Head Coach.
"Last year showed us that everyone has to be ready, and I think the rookies have seen that, they know that they could get a shot. It creates competition and pushes everyone to get better." – Ben Maracle on lessons taken away from last season.
"All the puzzle pieces are back, we've got the best DB group we've had in the past couple of years, everyone's here and healthy. So, all we have to do is get out there, play our best and show we can compete with the best in the nation." – Eric Cumberbatch, 2023 First Team All-Canadian, DB.
How to Watch:
Season tickets are still available HERE. Single game tickets are now available at tickets.geegees.ca. All games will be streaming live on OUA.tv.