Running backs give Western reason to believe in title hopes

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A close bond had already developed between Western's two best running backs.

Then Keon Edwards and Keanu Yazbeck broke their ankles late last season, and their bond only grew stronger through their shared experience of crutches, protective boots and doctor visits.

“We went through the entire recovery phase the same way,” said Edwards, the Toronto veteran. “It was our right ankles, the same spot and everything. We were close and motivated each other throughout the whole process.”

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In their comeback to Ontario university football last Sunday in Ottawa, Edwards rushed for 104 yards on 14 attempts. Yazbeck, from the Montreal suburb of Kirkland, Que., added 103 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts to crush the Gee-Gees.

They have been consistent and reliable despite the chaos that usually characterizes a season opener. They next face the Waterloo Warriors in their home opener at 7 p.m. Sunday at Western Alumni Stadium.

“It was great to have those two guys back,” Western head coach Greg Marshall said. “It was just a coincidence that they lost in the last two games last season. The guys that played – Troy Thompson and Ethan Dolby – did a good job for us in the playoffs. But they don't have the same experience that Keon and Keanu have.”

“They know what they are doing and calm the boys down in the fray.”

Could they have made the difference in the 29-3 loss to eventual Vanier Cup winners Montreal Carabins last November?

No doubt.

“Honestly, I don't like to disagree with these things,” Edwards said, “but I think at that point in the year, we were probably two of the best running backs (in the country). If we had that opportunity, yeah, sure.”

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“But for me, the season break is long right now. It was just a great feeling to be back out there with the guys.”

Marshall pushed hard to get Edwards, who won the 2022 Larry Haylor Award as OUA football MVP, accepted into the teachers college at Western, giving him further incentive to stay for one final season and be reunited with Yazbeck.

“They're definitely game-changing,” Marshall said. “They both do different things. Keon can hit and has some good moves. Keanu has tremendous speed. It's good to have that one-two punch. That's the story of our running backs here. There's nobody saying I have to do my runs. Both of them got 100 yards. The guys run unselfishly and that's been the case for a long time.

“We move the ball around a lot, so it's good to keep our guys fresh and not let them get tired.”

Edwards wants to use this final chance to give back to the Mustangs program he has been involved with for more than half a decade.

“I would probably say I want to win and that would be the best way to quit,” he said, “but honestly I'm just about having the best time with these guys. Hopefully that opens up more doors for us at the end. Personally, I can say that (Ottawa) game wasn't our best. I think in the coming weeks we're really going to find ourselves. I think we have the pieces and how we can use them will determine how far we get.”

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ON THE EDGE: Ben Cottrell, another Western running back, scored an early special teams touchdown and Marshall was eager to get him to play a few more times against Ottawa. Unfortunately, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound player from Rockwood, Ontario, suffered a knee injury on his chance. “I wanted to bring in Keon, Keanu, back and forth, and then bring in Ben,” the coach said. “He's big, physical and can fly. It makes me sick to think that on that play I wanted to bring in Ben and he's hurt. It doesn't look good. There wasn't much swelling, but the doctors thought he had injured his anterior cruciate ligament. He's young and will recover, but it could take (several weeks).” … The Mustangs' use of quarterback Jerome Rancourt in low-yardage situations was worth the price of admission in Ottawa. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound engineering student from Quebec City is already a valuable offensive weapon, especially in the red zone. “When he comes in, it takes the pressure off the run game,” Marshall said. “He had a good training camp. He played well for us last year, he can run and be physical. We need to win games. I know Evan (Hillock) wants to stay, but Evan has a different skill set than him. Evan can throw the ball, but it's good to have Jerome come in and do what he does.” … Hillock is finding chemistry with the other receivers. Last year, he had his old Hamilton High School teammate Savaughn Magnaye-Jones as his first choice. “We were a little off (in the air),” Marshall said. “You have to give that to Ottawa's defense. Two or three of those guys are going to be CFL candidates. We just missed a couple.” There were a couple in the red zone where it was time to get Jerome in, run and attack harder. We have an experienced team and we didn't work live in training camp. All of a sudden it's serious, there's a rush and it takes some time. Evan will be OK. We've got some new receivers and we've got to work on the timing.” … Who will challenge Western this time, which is riding a 21-game winning streak in the OUA regular season? Laurier, of course, with reigning standout Taylor Elgersma at quarterback. The Mustangs-Golden Hawks meet Sept. 14 in Waterloo. Queen's (Sept. 28) and Windsor (Oct. 19) are the must-see home games in London. The goal, of course, is first place and a bye to the provincial semifinals … Western Alumni Stadium will unveil its much-anticipated new video board at home games this season. That should enhance the fan experience. “We've been waiting a couple of years for this,” Marshall said. “It's going to look good. We've had this scoreboard for a long time. It really completes our field and we're excited about it.”

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HOME PLAYER OPENER

Western (1:0) against Waterloo (0:1)

When: Sunday, 7 p.m. at Western Alumni Stadium

The duel: The Mustangs beat Waterloo 66-3 in their last home game on September 24, 2022. The Warriors lost their opening game last weekend 31-29 to Toronto.

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