Saturday, October 13,
1pm
Alumni Stadium, Guelph
No. 10 Guelph Gryphons (3-3) vs Toronto Varsity Blues (0-6)
GUELPH, Ont. - With just two weeks remaining in the 2018 OUA football regular season, the playoff picture remains anyone's guess with a current log jam in the conference standings. In two weeks' time, the No. 10-ranked Guelph Gryphons (3-3) could be hosting a playoff game, or they could be out of the playoffs altogether. The good news for the Gryphons is that they still control their own destiny with regards to securing a spot in the postseason, which makes Saturday's game versus the visiting Varsity Blues that much more important.
"We're trying not to over stress the importance of this game, but in the end, it's essentially a playoff game for us," says Gryphons head coach
Todd Galloway.
"If we want to control our own fate, these next two games are really important. That makes this next game the most important game of the season for us."
The Gryphons should be well-rested following their bye week. The last time the Gryphons were on the field was on September 29 when they erased a 14-point halftime deficit to escape Waterloo with a crucial 27-24 road win over the then-No. 8-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks. In that game, the Gryphon defence stole the show, racking up six interceptions and two defensive scores. It was just the latest performance for what has been a standout defensive unit the entire season, with the Gryphons currently ranking 2nd in the conference in points per game, limiting opponents to just 20.5 per game.
Fifth-year middle linebacker
Luke Korol is the centre piece in that dominant defence.
The senior linebacker leads the country in tackles (74) and will look to cause some headaches for a young Varsity Blues offence that enters Saturday's contest last in the league in points scored (99). The 2018 season marks the beginning of a new era for U of T fooball, with longtime CFL coach Greg Marshall taking over the head coaching duties for the Varsity Blues. Marshall, a longtime defensive coordinator and linebacker coach in the CFL, joined U of T in the offseason after spending the previous four years as the defensive coordinator at Queen's. His impact has resulted in a marked improvement according to Gryphon head coach Todd Galloway.
"This is a much-improved U of T football team," notes Galloway. "Their defence has given a lot of teams trouble this year, so our job is going to be to try to tire them out on that side of the ball a bit. We want to keep our offence on the field as long as possible and try to control the clock."
Saturday's game also marks the Gryphons' annual "Think Pink" game in support of breast cancer awareness. Gryphon football players made their way to the University Centre during the week and set up a donation and awareness table. The first 400 fans to enter the gates on Saturday will receive a complimentary pink Gryphon scarf. The first 1,000 fans will receive pink thundersticks, while family and friends of Gryphon football currently effected or battling breast cancer will join the captains at midfield for the ceremonial coin toss. U of G alum Dana Warren, a breast cancer survivor, will also be honoured by the Gryphon football team on Saturday.
The Gryphons will host Waterloo next Saturday (Oct. 20) in the regular season finale.
Gates open at 11am.
For tickets, visit gryphons.ca/tickets.
