The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees claimed the Pedro the Panda trophy for the sixth consecutive year on Sunday, defeating the Carleton Ravens 35-32 in the annual Panda Game.
The Gee-Gees rallied from a 24-11 deficit, thanks to second-half touchdowns from Charles Asselin, Noah Avery, and Daniel Briere.
Briere’s effort may have been the highlight of the game, as the linebacker recovered a Carleton fumble before running 40 yards to the end zone, giving the Gee-Gees the lead late in the third quarter in front of a packed house of 23,499 people at TD Place.
A late Carleton touchdown and two-point conversion cut the deficit to three with 44 seconds left, but, after a successful onside kick, the Ravens were unable to tie the game, missing a 54-yard field goal in the dying seconds.
Should Carleton kicker Brandon Forcier have made the last-ditch effort, it would have been a complete reversal of last year’s Panda Game, when the Gee-Gees converted a 55-yarder for a walk-off victory.
Gee-Gees quarterback Josh Janssen went 23-30, while throwing for 295 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. While Carleton’s Elijah Barnes threw for four touchdowns and 329 yards, but was also picked off twice.
It’s the first time the University of Ottawa has won six consecutive Panda Games since the early 1990s. The record for most consecutive victories is seven, accomplished by the Gee-Gees more than sixty years ago.
Coming into the game, both Ottawa schools were tied in the standings of the Ontario conference, as the Gee-Gees move to 3-4 on the year, while the Ravens fall to 2-5.
With the loss, the Ravens appear unlikely to make the postseason, as they currently sit in ninth place with one game remaining. The top seven teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs.
Carleton has not been mathematically eliminated, as they could still win their final game and receive help from other teams, though it will be a tall task, especially considering their last game is against an undefeated Laurier squad.
Meanwhile, the Gee-Gees now occupy sixth spot and have a good chance to make the postseason, as their final game is against the University of Toronto, which has only won one game all season.
Both schools are off for Thanksgiving weekend and will play their respective final regular season games on Oct. 19.
