GUELPH, ON – Chances are, if you are a first or second year player on the Gryphons football roster, you weren't even born the last time this happened. But on Sunday, August 28, for the first time in two decades, the Gryphon football team will embark on an OUA season as defending Yates Cup champions. The Gryphons play host to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at Alumni Stadium Sunday afternoon at 1pm in what will be the regular season opener for both teams. Tickets are available online at gryphons.ca.
 
Last November, an unforgettable 2015 season culminated with the Gryphons hoisting the Yates Cup for the first time since 1996 following their dramatic 23-17 victory over the Western Mustangs in London. Since that victory, there has been some significant changes around the Gryphon football program, none bigger than the one at head coach. Former head coach Stu Lang stepped aside from his coaching duties following the Yates Cup victory, paving the way for long time U of G defensive coordinator Kevin MacNeill to assume the head coaching duties. MacNeill will lead the Gryphons into the 2016 campaign with a talented roster that features a long list of returning, impact players.
 
Quarterback James Roberts returns for his third year under centre after setting a single-season school record for touchdown passes (18) a year ago, in what was his first full season as the starter. Roberts will distribute the ball to a receiving core that boasts some incredible depth and features one of the top playmakers in the country in fifth year wide out A'dre Fraser. Leading the way on the ground is fourth year running back Johnny Augustine who himself set a single-season school record in 2015 with 12 rushing touchdowns. Like the receiving core, the Gryphons also have some terrific depth at the running back position which should allow them to once again produce one of the most explosive and balanced offensive attacks in the conference.
 
Putting up points on Sunday will be a challenge as U of T boast a tough defence coached by former CFL All-Star and now Varsity Blues defensive coordinator Kevin Eiben. Leading the way on the field for the Blues defence is linebacker Adrian Bernard who returns for his senior year. Bernard, who transferred from NCAA Division-III Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, was named the Varsity Blues' team MVP a season ago after racking up 39 tackles.
 
When it comes to U of T's offensive attack, the Gryphons will have a bit of the unknown to deal with during their weekly preparation. The 2016 season will mark the first season in charge of playcalling for U of T offensive coordinator Nate Weiss. One thing the Gryphons do know is that they will have to contend with a pair of dangerous third year running backs from U of T, in Alex Malone and Divante Smith, who last year combined to rush for nearly 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. The projected starting quarterback for the Varsity Blues is fifth year senior Marcus Hobbs who enters into his first season as a starter.
 
The Gryphons and Varsity Blues did not face each other last season, with their most recent meeting coming in Week 2 of 2014, which the Gryphons won 50-18. And while it has been a long time since the Gryphons last entered a season as defending Yates Cup champions, they now look to take the first steps towards accomplishing something that has never been done in school history: repeating as conference champions. The Gryphons and Varsity Blues kickoff at 1pm Sunday at Alumni Stadium. Viewers in the Guelph area can watch the game live on Rogers TV Cable 20, while viewers anywhere can stream the game live online at oua.tv.