GUELPH, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons football program has shown the unique ability to bounce back from adversity in recent years. They did it again last week at Alumni Stadium when the Gryphons produced their first win of the season with some smashmouth football against the York Lions. But that Labour Day victory means Guelph has had a short week as a date with the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the nation's capital looms (Saturday, Sept. 8, 1pm at Gee-Gees Field).
 
The meeting between the No. 8 Gryphons (1-1) and No. 9 Gee-Gees (1-1) is a rematch of last season's OUA quarter-final, when Guelph advanced with a strong 30-8 win. Head coach Todd Galloway said that last week's 33-18 victory over York was an important day for the team to get that first win of the year and feel good about the their performance – but it's already behind them.

"We have another big game ahead and know that Ottawa is a tough team," said Galloway, who registered his first W as a head coach against York. "They will definitely remember our playoff game last fall and will be motivated to defend their own field."
 
Guelph rebounded well from a disappointing opening week loss to McMaster in which they couldn't hang in the fourth quarter. But the team looked replenished and ready last Monday, running the ball with conviction and playing excellent defence. The Gryphons amassed 43 rushing attempts for 255 net yards, a game-high 129 of which came from first-year player Juwan Jeffrey.

 
And the defence was sound. York registered 359 yards of total offence but had to punt nine times and was held off the scoreboard for all of the second half until scoring a consolation touchdown with four seconds left in the fourth quarter. Guelph manufactured two interceptions, one of which was a momentum-changing pick-six by Job Reinhart in the third quarter. 

The kicking game also stood out as All-Canadian Gabe Ferraro earned U SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week after hitting all four of his field goal attempts, one of which came from 47 yards out. Reproducing that kind of overall effort is key for the Gryphons against Ottawa, and beyond.
 
"I was really pleased with what we were able to accomplish on the defensive side of the ball," Galloway said of the unit's work on Labour Day. "We can cause problems for teams in a variety of ways and you saw that last week when we came up with some really important turnovers. Those plays had a huge impact on the game."
 
"And our running game was outstanding. When you're able to rack up that many attempts and yards, it gives all of us a tremendous amount of confidence. You can control the game and wear the defence down. The challenge is to be consistent and do those same things on a weekly basis."
 
Quarterback Theo Landers (145 passing yards, 35 rushing yards, with both a passing touchdown and one on the ground last week) will want to lead his offence to a similar advantage in time of possession. The Gee-Gees' dual-threat running back Bryce Vieira can make life tough on opposing defences, evidenced by a standout performance in Ottawa's 18-11 win over McMaster last week. Vieira rushed the ball 17 times for 92 yards and caught four passes for 106 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown reception late in fourth quarter to lift the Gee-Gees to victory.
 
"We'll have to play close attention to him," said Galloway. "He's a talented veteran player, who can hurt you on the ground or in the passing game. It will be important for us to limit his opportunities and contain him when he does get touches."
 

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