Yates Cup 2025 Preview: Laurier vs. Queen’s — The Battle for Ontario
Two historic programs. Two different eras colliding.
Queen’s — a program built on legacy — has lifted the Yates Cup 23 times, though their last came in 2009. Laurier, meanwhile, is the defending champion, are back in the Yates Cup for the 3rd consecutive season. The Golden Hawks have won nine Yates Cups in total and are chasing back-to-back titles under head coach Michael Faulds.
The winner won’t just be crowned OUA champion — they’ll carry Ontario’s hopes into the national semifinal where they’ll take on the winners of the Canada West with a shot at going to Regina for the 60th Vanier Cup.
The last OUA team to win the Vanier Cup was Western in 2021. The Last OUA team to win the Vanier Cup, that wasn’t Western, was McMaster in 2011.
🧠 Quarterback Comparison
This matchup features two quarterbacks at completely different stages of their careers.
Cal Wither — Laurier Golden Hawks
A Waterloo native and first-year U SPORTS athlete, Cal Wither has been a revelation. Transferring from Ohio University, Wither stepped into an uphill situation — replacing Taylor Elgersma, the reigning OUA MVP and Hec Crighton winner, on a team that’s looking to win a National Championship — and not only matched expectations, but exceeded them.
Wither has been statistically dominant:
2,472 passing yards (2nd in U SPORTS)
26 passing touchdowns (1st in U SPORTS)
Only 4 interceptions
72.7% completion rate (3rd in U SPORTS)
Wither didn’t just steady the ship. He helped Laurier continue to dominate through the air - a standard that was set by the aforementioned Taylor Elgersma. He’s been poised, accurate, and dangerous at every level of the field.
Alex Vreeken — Queen’s Gaels
On the other sideline stands a veteran. Years ago, Queen’s head coach Steve Snyder said Alex Vreeken could become the next great Canadian QB. And while he may not have reached the national spotlight yet, Vreeken has given the Gaels everything a championship-caliber pivot should: consistency, leadership, and grit.
This season, Vreeken threw for:
2,315 passing yards
18 touchdowns
6 interceptions
He’s steady, confident, and battle-tested — the definition of a veteran presence in a championship moment.
⚙️ Offensive Breakdown
Laurier’s passing attack has been nearly unstoppable this year, ranking among the top units in the nation.
2,542 passing yards (3rd in U SPORTS)
28 passing TDs (1st in U SPORTS)
This pass game through an elite receiving corps that has become the standard in Canadian university football — Ethan Jordan, Layomi Ojutalayo, Ryan Hughes, Jackson Stebbings, and Jace Atkinson headline a group that have become known for shredding secondaries.
Let’s Take a Moment to Talk About Ethan Jordan
This season, Ethan Jordan delivered another historic campaign and was named the conferences Most Valuable Player on Thursday:
1,066 receiving yards (1st in U SPORTS)
10 touchdowns (2nd in U SPORTS)
Jordan becomes the first receiver since Legendary Golden Hawk Kurleigh Gittens Jr. (2017) to win OUA MVP.
It’s also the third consecutive season that a Laurier player has been named OUA MVP— an OUA first.
Jordan didn’t play in Laurier’s semifinal-win last week vs. Guelph and his status for the Yates Cup remains unknown, but what’s definitely known is his legacy in this game.
Make no mistake about it…
Ethan Jordan is one of the greatest receivers in Laurier history.
Ethan Jordan is one of the greatest receivers in OUA history.
Ethan Jordan is one of the greatest receivers in U SPORTS history.
Period.
Thank you for everything, EJ
Back to offensive comparions
Laurier’s offence isn’t one-dimensional either. Their rushing attack ranks 4th in U SPORTS (191.1 YPG), powered by OUA All-Star Tayshaun Jackson (724 yards, 5 TDs) and the returning Quinten Scott (335 yards, 1 TD). Few teams can balance the run and pass with such precision like Laurier does.
Queen’s, meanwhile, has quietly built an offensive identity of its own — balanced and efficient.
Their passing game ranks 7th in U SPORTS (2,499 total yards produced), and the ground game remains among the most consistent in the OUA.
OUA All-Star Nathan Falconi has emerged as Vreeken’s top target, posting 720 receiving yards (6th in U SPORTS) and 9 TDs — a true deep threat with elite route-running ability.
OUA All-Star Jared Chisari, the engine of the Gaels’ offence, rushed for 954 yards (3rd in U SPORTS) and 9 touchdowns, continuing Queen’s tradition of field elite running backs.
When Queen’s is at its best, it’s through control — time of possession, physicality, and rhythm. While Laurier wins with explosiveness.
🧱 Defensive Breakdown — Two Units Built Differently
Laurier’s defence has been elite against the run but occasionally vulnerable through the air.
294.1 passing yards allowed per game — 5th most in U SPORTS
117.0 rushing yards allowed per game — 5th fewest in U SPORTS
19.8 points allowed per game — 8th fewest nationally, 2nd in the OUA behind Windsor
That balance — or imbalance — makes them an intriguing opponent for Queen’s, whose offence is built around establishing the run to open up play action. But against an efficient passer like Vreeken, their secondary will need its best performance of the season
Queen’s defence, on the other hand, thrives on disrupting passing lanes and shutting down deep threats.
195.8 passing yards allowed per game — 2nd fewest in U SPORTS
155.5 rushing yards allowed per game — 11th highest in U SPORTS
21.6 points allowed per game — 10th fewest nationally
The Gaels’ secondary is also arguably the best in the OUA — physical, disciplined, and opportunistic - leading the country in interceptions with 13.
When it comes to putting points on the board, both programs sit comfortably among the most explosive in the country.
🔢 Scoring Breakdown
Laurier’s offence has been relentless all year long, averaging 44.4 points per game, the second-highest mark in all of U SPORTS, trailing only Western. The Golden Hawks have found the end zone 43 times this season, complemented by nine field goals — proof of how efficiently they finish drives once they cross midfield.
Queen’s isn’t far behind. The Gaels have averaged 40.8 points per game, ranking third nationally and right on Laurier’s heels within the OUA. They’ve scored 37 total touchdowns and added 16 field goals, showing a balanced approach that blends explosive plays with disciplined execution in the red zone.
🧩 The Final Word
The 2025 Yates Cup isn’t just a battle for a banner — it’s a clash of identities.
Laurier represents the future of the OUA — a modern, high-octane program redefining how Canadian college football looks, sounds, and feels. Queen’s represents the foundation — a legacy program built on discipline, culture, and decades of dominance.
One is chasing history. The other is trying to defend it.
For Laurier, a win means validation — that last year’s championship wasn’t lightning in a bottle, but the start of an era.
For Queen’s, it’s a shot at redemption — a chance to return to national prominence after a 15-year drought.
