Stephenson grabs CIS record in Lancer loss
By Michal Tellos
Sports Editor
September 17, 2008
 It was a bittersweet Saturday night for Lancer football, as Daryl Stephenson became the number one running-back in CIS history in a rainy night-game that was ultimately a mop up by the visiting Guelph Gryphons, who won 34-8.
Stephenson, who went into the night with 4,625 yards, needed 113 to break Manitoba running-back Dominic Zagari’s all-time CIS rushing record. He accomplished the feat on a short run toward the end of the fourth quarter, ultimately ending the game with 115 yards, 4,740 all-time.
Following the game, his long time coach, Coach Mike Morencie, heaped congratulations onto him.
“As disappointed as we always are when things happen this way, we can’t overlook a tremendous effort by Daryl tonight, in horrific conditions, and a team not playing well – still able to get 115 yards and get the all-time CIS rushing record,” he said.
“He’s a fabulous running back who still has a tremendous career ahead of him. I think he’ll play football for a long time, possibly at the CFL level, maybe even in the NFL. I think he’ll play in the NFL because he’s that kind of back,” he added, citing Stephenson’s unique playing style.
Morencie repeatedly commented on the strong character and leadership skills that Stephenson possesses, which, coupled with his outstanding level of talent, make him a rare asset for any team.
The president of the University of Windsor, Dr. Alan Wildeman, echoed Morencie’s sentiments.
“On behalf of the university, congratulations – this is an extraordinary accomplishment,” he said.
“The very best of luck for a long career after this,” he added.
Stephenson himself, showing no feeling of achievement, could not have been less pleased with how things turned out.
“It’s tough doing this on a loss, but the only thing we can do is turn it back around for next week, and put this and the record and all that behind us,” he said.
He thanked those who have been around him for the last few years, specifically his offensive line.
“I just want to say thanks to the coaches, coach Morencie for giving me the opportunity to get a career,” he said.
“I’d like to thank my o-line (offensive line) for the last four and a half years – this is their record. After every game, there’s no way of telling what they did, the only way to see it is through my yards. It’s just as much their record as mine,” he added.
In an effort to promote the event, the athletics department distributed Daryl Stephenson bobble-head dolls to the first 500 people who purchased tickets. Wildeman himself bought a bobble head which will immortalize Stephenson’s accomplishment forever.
“It will be on display for everyone that comes in. They’ll flip its little head and they’ll all look at it and say that’s Daryl,” he joked.
Stephenson’s performance was, however, a diamond in the rough that night, as the rest of the team struggled in all aspects of the game – a game which should have been an easy win over the winless Gryphons.
The Lancers seemed to hold together for the first few minutes of the first quarter, before giving up a field goal.
The game was still in reach when the Gryphons passed for their first touchdown in the second quarter, ending the half with a 10-0 score.
The third quarter opened up with some promise, too, as the Lancers immediately registered 1-point on a touchback, and showed some promising drives early. However, critical mistakes led to their collapse as Guelph ended the quarter with another touchdown, ultimately adding two more with a field goal in the fourth to ice the game, 34-8.
The lone Lancer touchdown came in the final few minutes on a 48-yard pass from rookie quarterback Sam Malian to veteran receiver Mike Harrington. It was much too little much too late.
Aside from Stephenson’s performance, Morencie couldn’t think of much that went well for the team that night.
“We had problems all over the place. We are really disappointed,” he said.
“Defensively we didn’t keep our lanes of support and that’s something that we’ve talked about a great deal that we just didn’t do and we gotta keep working on it. Offensively we were grab-bag all night, we just didn’t have any continuity and we didn’t put any long drives together. Special teams was my biggest concern – we drew blank. I mean we were awful,” he added.
Little mention was made of the fact that the night was supposed to be a celebration, as it was the Lancers’ homecoming game. A special ceremony took place before the game started as well, as the field was dedicated to the alumni who raised the money to pay for it.
The Lancers will hit the road this weekend against a team that has struggled so far this season, the Laurier Golden Hawks. Morencie stresses that there is no time to waste in rebuilding.
“We gotta pick the pieces up real quick for Laurier next week. They’ll be smarting too; they lost two in a row,” he said.
The game will, in all likelihood, have major playoff implications for the Lancers, who will have their hardest two weeks after that, first hosting the Ottawa Gee-Gees, then visiting the Western Mustangs.
“Oh, it’s huge. We screwed up tonight by not taking care of this one, so now it makes next week real, real important,” said Morencie.
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