GUELPH, Ont. – The Gryphon football homecoming game is always a marquee event on the University of Guelph calendar. And the 2019 edition has all the makings of a memorable homecoming matchup at Alumni Stadium with plenty of playoff implications on the line as the No. 6-ranked Gryphons (3-2) get set to host the No. 8-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees (3-1). Kickoff at Alumni Stadium is set for 1pm on Saturday (Sept. 28) with tickets for the game still available online. The game will also be broadcast live online at OUA.tv.
"We have our work cutout for us because it is such a significant game in terms of the standings," says Gryphon head coach
Ryan Sheahan, with the winner of Saturday afternoon's matchup in Guelph taking a big step closer to securing homefield advantage in the OUA playoffs with the stretch run of the regular season schedule still remaining.
The Reklaws perform at halftime of the Gryphons 2018 Homecoming
"Ottawa is one of the most athletic teams we'll see this season. They have a very athletic front and are very aggressive defensively. I've been impressed with what I've seen from them on film."
The Gryphons (3-2) are coming off a hard-fought
9-3 loss to the No. 1-ranked Western Mustangs, a game in which Guelph became the first team in six years to hold the high-powered Mustangs without a touchdown. The Gee-Gees meanwhile started the season 0-1 with a road loss versus McMaster on September 1 but have followed that up with three straight wins over Queen's, Laurier and York. Saturday's meeting between the Gryphons and Gee-Gees will mark their first head-to-head meeting since last year's OUA semi-final in Ottawa where
Guelph erased an 18-point deficit to book a spot in the Yates Cup.
In 2019, the Gryphons and Gee-Gees share some similar traits, with both teams riding outstanding play on defence and special teams to get off to strong starts to the season.
Ottawa Gee-Gees DT Tramayne Stephen
Ottawa boasts the top-ranked pass defence in the OUA, limiting opponents to just 210.8 yards per game through the air. A proven Gee-Gees secondary is complimented by a tough front seven, led by defensive tackle Tramayne Stephen, a 6-1, 300 lbs 2019 East-West Bowl participant who is currently tied for second in the OUA in tackles-for-loss this season with 7, and ninth in the OUA with 3 sacks.
Offensively for Ottawa, the Gee-Gees have been forced to use several bodies at quarterback after starter Sawyer Buettner was injured in the season opener versus McMaster. Freshman Ben Maracle has stepped into the starter's role, with fifth-year receiver Carter Matheson proving to be his most reliable target (3rd in OUA in receiving yards with 96.3 YPG). The Gee-Gees also have a solid running back in fourth-year Toronto native Jordan Burgher who is tied for 2nd in the OUA in rushing touchdowns with 3 in four games.
The Gee-Gees special teams were the difference in Ottawa's come-from-behind win over Laurier on Sept. 14. That day, the Gee-Gees overcame a 22-3 deficit in the 4th quarter, using a pair of special teams touchdowns to shock the Golden Hawks in a 25-22 victory. Headlining the Gee-Gees special teams units is one of the most elusive punt returners in the conference in fifth-year man Kalem Beaver.
The Gryphons meanwhile will look to build off of their incredible defensive performance a week ago versus Western. The Guelph defence rank 2nd in the OUA in scoring defence, holding opponents to just 17. 2 PPG. The Gryphons also lead the sacks (19) and defensive touchdowns (3).
Saturday's game will mark the final home game of the regular season schedule for the Gryphons, who will enjoy a bye week next weekend before closing out their regular season schedule with road games at Queen's (Oct. 10) and Toronto (Oct. 19). In the 2018 edition of the Gryphon homecoming game, the host Gryphons saw their furious comeback attempt versus Queen's, which saw them score 25 straight points, fall just short as the Gaels escaped Guelph with a thrilling 33-32 win. On Saturday afternoon, the Gryphons will look to snap a mini three-game homecoming losing streak, with Guelph's last homecoming win coming in 2015 versus McMaster.
But for first-year head coach Ryan Sheahan, the excitement that comes along with the Gryphons annual homecoming game has been something that has been palpable throughout the week. "There's definitely a buzz in the air," says Sheahan. "There's something you just can't quite put your finger on right now, but the guys are pumped up. We have a unique challenge as we're coming off an emotional contest a week ago versus the No. 1-ranked team in the country. And now we have to dig deep to make sure that we don't dip with our next performance. But homecoming is helping us rise to the occasion. It's a special time of year and we're excited to play."
