Western Mustangs QB Evan Hillock: Healthy and hyped for CFL draft year

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Evan Hillock had one priority after a three-interception, five-sack outing in the U Sports football semifinal last fall at Montreal.

“Getting healthy,” the Western Mustangs starting quarterback said. “Last year was tough. It was an experience but I think I learned and grew from it.”

The 2021 Vanier Cup MVP injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the Yates Cup win over Wilfrid Laurier Nov. 11. He went under the knife in mid-March after a delay to see if he needed surgery on his right elbow.

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“We were able to just do physio (with the elbow) and everything was good there,” Hillock said. “Now, the shoulder is feeling good, the elbow is good, and it’s back to normal.”

He threw for just 123 yards and no scores in the season opener at Ottawa, but roared back to pass for 281 yards and four touchdowns in the blowout win over Waterloo at home last Sunday.

The nationally second-ranked Mustangs (2-0) face the Carleton Ravens (0-2) Saturday, 5 p.m. at Western Alumni Stadium.

“The first game is sometimes tough,” Hillock said. “It was very frustrating from a personal and team standpoint. But we have to look at the positives. We came away with a 27-point win against a really good Ottawa team. My footwork, I have to clean it up and keep working on it.”

The quarterback’s most trusted target, Savaughn Magnaye-Jones, graduated this past year. They had been teammates in high school and threw every summer – including this one – three times a week back home in Hamilton.

But Hillock also made trips to London several days a week to throw with the London crew, too. He built more chemistry with his current receiving corps.

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“Him and Seth (Robertson) are really good,” Western head coach Greg Marshall said. “Same with Mohsen (Jamal II). That takes time. For Evan to come down and throw with the receivers here was good productive work. He wasn’t active in spring camp (because of surgery recovery) and when he was cleared to come down here in May, it was good for him to throw with those guys.”

Hillock holds Magnaye-Jones in the highest regard. He called playing without him for the first time in many seasons a “different” situation.

“He’s been the best receiver in the country the past three years,” he said, “probably the best to ever come to Western – in my opinion. The rest have stepped up. Seth and Mohsen are our two main guys but we have a lot of depth and we’re getting it rolling.

“The offensive line has taken a step forward. They were good last year, but the first two games, they have shown dominance. I have all the trust in the world in them and it’s an honour to play behind them.”

Londoner Taylor Elgersma, the Laurier pivot, was named the top player in Ontario university football last year. Hillock, who has a 30-2 career record as a university starter, will once again battle him for that title.

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“I’m going to focus on playing well,” the Mustangs signal-caller said. “It’s my (CFL) draft year. All the personal stuff will come along if we keep winning.”

ON THE SIDELINES: Western scored 21 points to beat the Ravens 31-21 last year in Ottawa. The Mustangs have won six straight against Carleton after losing 38-31 Sept. 4, 2016, in the nation’s capital . . . This year’s edition has Hillock’s respect. “They’re a really good 0-2 football team,” he said . . . Carleton fifth-year defensive end Ife Onyeka is one of the best at his position in the country. “He’s a good pass rusher,” Marshall said. “It’ll be a battle, but it’s not like we’re changing anything for him. He’s usually into the boundary and we’re solid at (offensive) tackle. We’ve got Erik (Andersen) there and (6-foot-5, 304-pound) Reed Cloutier is playing really well at right tackle” . . . Mustangs right guard Keegan O’Neil suffered a knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament) in the Uteck Bowl against Montreal. It’s been repaired but he’s not in pads yet. “After our bye week, we’ll see how it feels,” Marshall said. “We’ll ease him back into it. Phil Cote, who was our backup centre last year, is doing a really good job there” . . . Sophomore defensive lineman Malcolm Fraser hurt his ankle the first day of training camp and missed the first two games. He was back at practice this week . . . Londoner Oliver Griffiths took over punting duties after AJ Williamson was injured in the lead-up to the opener at Ottawa. Williamson fielded a punt that dislocated a finger, which opened up and required five stitches. The stitches have been removed and both players will compete for the job. Griffiths previously red-shirted at Queen’s and was ineligible to play at Western last year while practising with the Mustangs.

rpyette@postmedia.com

OUA FOOTBALL

Western (2-0) vs. Carleton (0-2)

When: Saturday, 5 p.m. at Western Alumni Stadium.

The matchup: The Mustangs could put a huge dent in the Ravens’ playoff hopes already.

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