RECAP: #8 Gee-Gees improve to 4-1 after road thriller at Laurier

The Ottawa Gee-Gees football team played spoiler to the homecoming festivities at University Stadium in Waterloo, downing Laurier 21-18 on Saturday.

Fourth-year kicker Campbell Fair was the hero once again for Ottawa, as he tied an OUA record with a stunning 55-yard field goal at the end of regulation to hand the Gee-Gees the walk off win. In week one at Windsor, the Gee-Gees also called on Fair's number to win the game. 

Prior to the end of game heroics, running back J-P Cimankinda was the story offensively for the Gee-Gees. Cimankinda racked up 147 yards on the ground to go along with 61 yards receiving including a touchdown. 

Ottawa came back from being down 11-1 at halftime to score 17 unanswered points through second to lead 18-11 with two minutes remaining. Laurier responded by marching the field to even the score with 29 seconds remaining.

Ben Maracle and the Gee-Gees worked quickly to get within Fair's range, and head coach Marcel Bellefeuille trusted his kicker to secure the win.

"Coach [Bellefeuille] has been drilling in that you have to practice like you play," said Fair. "I was just trying to keep my mind as calm as possible. Obviously, there's still some nerves kicking in, I could feel my legs shaking a bit, but I just kicked like I do in practice."

Maracle finished the game with 209 yards and two touchdowns, also connecting with Amlicar Polk for a 41-yard major in the fourth quarter. Defensively, Harnoor Dhaliwal led the way with six total tackles, while defensive end Kevin Anderson had the game's only turnover with an interception.

"I'm extremely proud of the resilience we've showed," said Bellefeuille. "We're starting to understand that you play the game one play at a time, they didn't react, they responded, so I'm happy with that."

When asked about Campbell Fair and his performance to win the game, Bellefeuille's face lit up. 

"He's great. He told me he'd make it and he did it. I was just smart enough to trust him," he said laughing. 

Ottawa's win is their first on the road at Laurier since 2007, marking the second time this season, following a win at McMaster, that they have overcome droughts of more than a decade at a road stadium.

Up next, the Gee-Gees will take on the Carleton Ravens (3-2) in the 53^rd edition of the Panda Game on Saturday, Oct. 1 at TD Place with kickoff set for noon. With all seated tickets sold out, there are limited standing room only tickets available on Ticketmaster.