Saturday, September 30
1pm
Warrior Field, University of Waterloo
Guelph Gryphons vs Waterloo Warriors
TV:Â Live on Rogers Cable 20 (for viewers in Waterloo Region, Guelph, Brantford & Stratford)
Online: Â
www.oua.tv
Tickets:Â available online
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WATERLOO – The Guelph Gryphons football team is getting to know just how volatile the OUA season can be. Dramatic overtime losses, blowout victories, and a stinging Homecoming defeat have all been a part of the Gryphons' 2-3 start.
Guelph's players and coaching staff enter week 6 knowing they need a strong finish to be part of the OUA postseason. That critical stretch run begins this week as the Gryphons travel to Warrior Field to take on an upstart Waterloo team sitting comfortably in third place with a 4-1 record.
"Waterloo has been playing great football," says head coach
Kevin MacNeill, impressed with the growing parity in the OUA. "We've shown what we're capable of as a team this year and will to need to continue to remove distractions and focus on playing good football."
The Gryphons will need to put last Saturday's 29-9 Homecoming loss to the McMaster Marauders behind them against the Warriors, who are dealing with their own demons. Waterloo suffered a 71-24 defeat to rival Laurier immediately after making an appearance in the U SPORTS Top 10 for the first time since 2007.
Both teams will be desperate for the win to get back on track.
"We're definitely a little bitter about last week but you just have to move on to the next one," says third-year linebacker
Riley Baines. "We've got our game plan about what we're going to do against Waterloo. We're optimistic about how we'll execute it.
"We just need people to step up. Every single position has to step up and be better in all phases of the game. That's pretty much been our attitude."
Third-year quarterback
Theodore Landers came in to last week's game after
James Roberts left in the first half. Landers didn't have much operating room against the Marauders' tenacious defence, which has allowed an OUA-low 13.5 points per game through four outings.
Waterloo's unit hasn't been as stingy. Leaving out the 71 points allowed against the Golden Hawks, the Warriors have still given up almost 27 points a game. Guelph, regardless of who is under centre, will look to utilize their deep arsenal of offensive weapons and a tough offensive line to put pressure on the Waterloo D. The offence was humming while outscoring Windsor and Toronto by a combined 124-16 in the two weeks prior to meeting Mac. And the potential for big plays is always there.
The Gryphons have been able to rely on a consistent defensive effort throughout the first five games. It's tough to throw on Guelph – and they are relentless getting after the ball. Guelph's defence has allowed just 214.2 passing yards per game (third best in the OUA). The veteran unit also ranks third in the conference in tackles (73.4 per game), is tied for second in fumble recoveries (six), and ranks fourth in the OUA in sacks (14).
The Warriors' offence, led by fourth-year quarterback
Lucas McConell, will have to solve the many problems that Guelph's aggressive defence presents. McConnell has been excellent this season and was named the OUA Offensive Player of the Week two weeks ago after leading his team to an improbable 45-43 comeback at Carleton, with 477 passing yards and three total touchdowns. He has completed 76 of 120 passes for 1,111 yards and 10 touchdowns, while showing poise with just two interceptions. He's spreads the ball around to a deep group of receivers, though the favourite target is
Richmond Nketiah, who has 20 catches for 225 yards and a team-high five touchdown receptions.
But McConell isn't the only threat in Waterloo's unique two-QB system. Backup
Tre Ford has completed 16 of 22 passes for 157 yards and three touchdown passes but he also leads the team with 415 rushing yards on only 42 carries (103.8 yards per game, 9.9 yards per carry), with two more scores on the ground.
Dion Pellerin and
Brandon Metz have 53 rushes each, for 367 yards and 226 yards respectively, with a combined five rushing touchdowns. McConnell will keep the ball, too, having rushed 17 times this season for 77 yards and two of Waterloo's nine rushing touchdown.
"We have to contain the quarterbacks and make them make mistakes," says Baines, aware of the pair's ability to execute counters and designed runs. "That's how we'll have to stop the run. It will be up to the D linemen and linebackers to stay in our lanes and keep them in the pocket."
 "We all have the mindset. And we'll do everything in our power to win this week."
The Gryphons' veterans will be relied on heavily this week. MacNeill has been happy with his leaders, noting that they have set the bar as high as possible every game.
"One of the things I'm most proud of with this group of players is how hard they work and focus on the small details," MacNeill says.
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Gryphons' Individual Statistics
Gryphons' Team Statistics
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