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Evan Hillock wasn’t completely sure how this Ontario university football season would turn out.
There were a lot of variables after shoulder surgery.
“I wasn’t really throwing until the end of May,” the Western veteran quarterback said. “Usually, I’m throwing fully by January. I feel like I started really slow and in training camp, we were being really careful with my arm so I lost some reps there.”
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But he tried to stay patient with the process. The Mustangs’ loss to rival Wilfrid Laurier last month cost them first place in the conference, but they have rallied by scoring 161 points in their past three games.
Western (6-1) can clinch second spot with a win over defensively sound Windsor (5-2) Saturday, 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
“That’s our fate now,” Hillock said. “We’re not going to get a (first-round playoff) break. Hopefully, we’re in this for another 5-6 games and this is the healthiest I’ve been heading into a playoff run since 2021 (the Vanier Cup win in his first season as starter). I feel like I’m in midseason form.
“Now, we’ll really see what we’re made of. We’re treating it like the playoffs start this week.”
The numbers have come around. Hillock leads the country with 17 touchdown passes and favourite target Seth Robertson is tied for first in U Sports with nine end zone receptions.
Robertson has scored at least one major in all seven Mustangs games this season.
“We came in together in ’21 and have grown over these last four seasons,” Robertson, the Cambridge native, said. “Evan has good confidence in me. When he’s on, we always have a chance to go win a big one. We have a lot of guys in that room that can make plays and it’s great to have those options.
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“It makes it easier for me out there.”
The throws Hillock made in Toronto last Friday showed his head coach he was getting his confidence back. The bond with Robertson is strong and it is still developing with Mohsen Jamal II, Brayden Misseri and Dasani McIntosh.
“We saved his arm, were easy in training camp and managed it throughout,” Western boss Greg Marshall said of his quarterback. “The same trust he had with Savvy (graduated slotback Savaughn Magnaye-Jones), he has with Seth – who has been consistent. He just catches the ball – easy, hard, impossible – and always lands on his feet to finish the play. Evan knows he’ll get open and he’s playing at a high level now.
“They’re all working at blocking, which is important. When we’re running the football, the receivers have to block. We ask them to do a lot here.”
The expectation, as always, is to win the Yates Cup and the national title. Only Quebec powerhouses Laval and Montreal have denied them the latter the past two years.
“It was big to start with a Vanier Cup (three years ago) and win it,” Robertson said. “You appreciate it. Two weeks later, we were already talking about the next one. I remember the mentality in ’22 and ’23, we were close to getting back to our goal. Now, this is one of our last shots.
“We have a good roster and we’re making steps in the right direction.”
OUA FOOTBALL
Western (6-1) vs. Windsor (5-2)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Western Alumni Stadium.
The matchup: The Mustangs finish second in the conference if they win, but fall to third if they lose.
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