The Guelph Gryphon football team opened the 2010 season with a 15-13 win over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.

Under new head coach, Stu Lang, the Gryphons were hoping to open the season on a positive note.  With a new starting quarterback and a number of departures and arrivals to the squad for the 2010 season, the Gryphons put on an excellent show for the 800-plus fans who made it out to Alumni Stadium. 

Both the Gryphons and Blues fought hard, leaving the deciding play to the final seconds of the game, in which stand-in kicker, Mike Fortino (Niagara Falls), nailed a 16-yard field goal to give Guelph the 2-point lead and the victory.

"We won things ugly at the end, but the guys are very excited, which is positive," said head coach Stu Lang.  "We were always on the other end last year, so it's nice to kick the field goal to win. I hope we can build on that.  I told the guys to be happy it was a great game but don't get over confident with the win, because there's lots of work to do."

Taking over as the Gryphon starter for the 2010 campaign, quarterback Chris Rossetti (Mississauga) had a strong opening performance completing 15 of 27 pass attempts for 212 yards with a touchdown, an interception and over 40 yards in rushing.  Running back Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch), though starting a little slow, finished the game with 122 yards on 26 attempts and leading receivers for the Gryphons were Dave Honig (Sarnia) and Dillon Dimitroff (Burlington) with 66 and 54 yards, respectively.

On defence the Gryphons were a brickwall, allowing only 53 yards of rushing against.  Scott Eggleton (Belleville) and Cameron Thorn (Midhurst) both picked up sacks for the Gryphons and Mark Durigon (Rockwood) hauled in an interception.

"The defence played really great with the goal-line stand, interception and they just overall played a great game. Nick Fitzgibbon played great too, he was a horse. He kept us in the game," continued Lang.

For Toronto, quarterback Andrew Gillis went 12 for 25 picking up 158 yards through the air and giving up a single interception, while also leading the team in rushing with 31 yards. Sebastian Magalas was the Blues' top receiver, pulling in two passes for 37 yards.

The Gryphons started off the scoring in the first quarter.  After sending out a defense that shut down the Blues' first drive, the Gryphons put the first points on the board on a 30-yard play.  As Chris Rossetti was falling to the ground, a quick flip-pass was gathered up by running back Nick FitzGibbon.  Powering his way across the field and shedding a few tackles, Nick FitzGibbon  would find the end zone putting the home team up 6-0, with first-year kicker, Evan Short, chipping in the single point afterword.

The Varisty Blues responded in the second quarter, scoring 10 unanswered points after conceding a safety.  The Blues started by putting 19-yard field goal through the uprights to tighten the score to 9-3.  Under two minutes later, the Gryphons would attempt to punt the ball out of danger, but the quick, penetrating special teams squad of the Blues blocked the kick and the recovery was smothered by Walter Cariazo in the end zone. This was the second punt block of the game for the Varsity Blues.

Guelph would regain the lead in the third when Evan Short knocked a 20-yard field goal through to put the Gryphons up 12-10 and picking up the only points of the quarter.  Putting Evan Short in position for the attempt, Chris Rossetti strung together back-to-back throws to move the ball 57 yards down the field, connecting with Dillon Dimitroff for 39 yards and Dave Honig on an 18-yard toss.  On the ensuing Toronto drive, Mark Durigon would carefully time his attack on the ball, picking off Gillies and getting the offense back on the field.  Guelph would switch up their quarterbacks for a few series late in the quarter, hoping backup, Luke Nangle (London), would help recharge the offense, but after going 0 for 2 and giving up an interception to Toronto's Adam Fehler, Chris Rossetti was once again at the reins.

Nearing the end of the fourth, Toronto came up big on a deep pass along the sideline, but after being stuffed twice on the goal line, would have to settle for a field goal, leaving just under two minutes left on the clock.  The Gryphons responded however, setting up a brilliant drive, marching down the field to set up for a final field goal attempt and with just seconds left on the clock, Mike Fortino pounded a 16-yarder between the uprights to claim the victory for the Gryphons.

The Guelph Gryphons are on the road next week to take on the York Lions on Monday (Sept. 6), where they will look to add on another win before coming back home to face the Queen's Gaels.  Kickoff on Monday in York is at 1:00pm.