Box Score

GUELPH, ON - The weather was perfect. A soldout crowd was on hand at Alumni Stadium. But the result was a disappointing one for the Gryphons. On Saturday afternoon in Guelph, the No. 4-ranked Western Mustangs spoiled the Gryphons 2016 Homecoming with a 50-16 victory. With the loss, the Gryphons fall to 2-3 on the season while Western improves to 4-1. For the Gryphons, it marks the first time in five years that they have lost back-to-back games following last Saturday's double overtime loss in Ottawa.

The Yates Cup re-match started off with a bang from a Guelph perspective as the Gryphons were able to electrify the Homecoming crowd on their very first offensive possession of the game. Third year quarterback James Roberts connected with second year receiver Colton Jones on a 66-yard pass play to give the Gryphons an early 7-0 lead. Roberts finished the day with some big numbers, going 30-of-46 for 375 yards while Jones was the game's leading receiver with 8 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Despite an early spark from the offence, the rest of the quarter would see the Mustangs respond with 17 unanswered points.

Western's first touchdown of the day came on a 13-yard pass from the Mustangs rookie QB Chris Merchant to fullback Tom Marshall. The 4-play, 52-yard scoring drive was aided by a pair of Gryphon penalties, which were an issue most of the day for the home team. After Western had taken a 14-7 lead, Roberts would be intercepted by Western linebacker Philippe Dion who would return it to the Guelph 20-yard line. The Gryphons committed a total of five turnovers on the day, three of which came in the first half. The Dion INT led to a Western field goal as the Mustangs led 17-7 after one quarter of play.

After putting up some impressive numbers a week ago against the Gee-Gees, Gryphons fourth year running back Johnny Augustine was held in check by a tough Western front seven. Augustine finished the day with 73 yards on 14 carries as the Gryphons were held to a season-low 93 yards on the ground. It marked the first time since October 18 of 2014 that the Gryphons were held to under 100-yard rushing.
 
Trailing 26-13 late in the first half, the Gryphons came agonizingly close to making it a one-score game. Roberts aired out a long pass intended for rookie Kian Schaffer-Baker, who went up for a 50-50 jump ball with Western defensive back Mackenzie Ferguson. With both players having their hands on the ball as they fell to the turf, it was ruled that Western had possession of the ball, not the Guelph receiver. Instead of a touchdown reception and a six point game, it was Roberts' second INT of the game and a 13-point deficit at the half.

The Mustangs would extend their lead in the second half with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Merchant to George Johnson. In the fourth quarter, Western defensive back Jordan Beaulieu would provide the exclamation mark by ripping the ball out of the hands of Gryphons receiver Thomas Bresciani before racing 70-yards the other way for a defensive touchdown.
 
Western quarterback Chris Merchant finished the day 19-of-33, for 322 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Gryphon defence stood tall against the country's leading rusher, as Western's star running back Alex Taylor finished the day with 21 carries for 128 yards, his second-lowest rushing total this season. The third year running back came into the game averaging over nine yards per carry in his career. Saturday afternoon the Gryphons limited him to 5.7 yards per carry.

Standout performances on the defensive side of the ball for the Gryphons include linebackers Luke Koral and Riley Baines who each finished with 11 tackles. Free safety Tristan Doughlin impressed in his returned to the Gryphons lineup by playing through an injury and recording an interception to go along with 8 tackles. Offensively, eight different receivers caught passes for the Gryphons on the day.
 
The Gryphons will now turn their attention to playing the role of Homecoming spoilers themselves as they travel to Hamilton next Saturday (Oct. 1st) for a matchup with McMaster during the Marauders homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 1pm and can be seen live online at www.oua.tv.