WATERLOO, Ont. - Saturday afternoon (Sept. 7) at University Stadium on the campus of the Wilfrid Laurier University, the Gryphons football team fell just short in a tightly-contested matchup versus the U SPORTS No. 4-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks, with Laurier holding off a determined Guelph team and winning 33-24. It marks the first loss of the 2024 season for the Gryphons (2-1), while Laurier improves to 2-0.

The Gryphons finished the game with 35 first downs (to 21 for Laurier), 396 total yards of offence (to Laurier's 365), and a 34:02 time of possession (compared to Laurier's 25:58). But in the end, the host Golden Hawks were able to come up with just enough to hold off the Gryphons, in an entertaining matchup played in front of just under 3,000 fans at Laurier's Knight-Newbrough Field.

Perhaps the biggest turning point in the game came in the final moments of the 2nd quarter. With under a minute to go before the half, it was the Gryphons who seemed to have all the momentum, with Guelph putting together a 9-play, 77-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a 29-yard touchdown pass from Tristan Aboud to Jarod Tessier with :45 seconds remaining to trim Laurier's lead to 16-14. However, the Gryphon celebration would be short-lived, as the Golden Hawks responded on the ensuing kickoff, with Laurier's standout rookie returner, Tayshaun Jackson, returning the kickoff 108-yards for a touchdown, to put Laurier up 23-14 at halftime.

The Gryphons would continue to fight back, with Aboud's 3-yard rushing touchdown midway through the 3rd quarter once again trimming the deficit to two, with Guelph trailing 23-21. But the Golden Hawks would answer before the end of the 3rd quarter, with reigning OUA MVP quarterback, Taylor Elgersma, picking up a 1-yard touchdown run to cap off a 10-play, 70-yard touchdown drive by the Golden Hawks to put them back up 30-21. Both teams would exchange field goals in the final quarter, with Laurier ultimately coming away with the 33-24 victory.

Gryphons second-year quarterback, Tristan Aboud, once again impressed, finishing the day 19-29, 201 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT. Aboud also added 63 yards rushing on 6 carries (10.5 avg), including the 3-yard touchdown run. The Gryphons leading rusher on the day was second-year running back, Caleb Sargeant, who eclipsed the 100-yard mark on just 11 carries (101 yards, 9.2 avg). A familiar face returned to the Gryphon backfield on Saturday, with Isaiah Smith returning to action for the first time in over a year. Smith, the OUA's Rookie of the Year in 2022, saw his 2023 season cut short after suffering a season-ending injury on the opening series of Week 1 during the 2023 season. Smith was used sparingly in his first game back, finishing the day with 9 carries and 18 yards rushing, but nevertheless a welcomed sight for Gryphon fans. Sargeant and Smith's presence in the backfield speaks to the Gryphons depth at running back, with the breakout star of the 2023 OUA football season, Donavin Milloy, missing his second consecutive game due to injury.

Seven different Gryphon receivers caught passes, with Vyshonne Janusas leading the way with 7 receptions for 80 yards. Marshall McCray, the Gryphons electic, dual-threat quarterback, added yet another rushing touchdown on Saturday, with the standout sophomore diving inside the pilon for Guelph's first touchdown of the day in the 2nd quarter. Defensively, the Gryphons more than held their own against one of the top offensive attacks in the country. Laurier's Taylor Elgersma, a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian last season, was held in check, going 18 of 23 for 241 yds with a touchdown pass and interception. The interception coming in the 2nd quarter on a great play from Gryphons defensive back, Anthony Moretuzzo, who picked up his second INT in as many weeks. The Gryphon defensive effort was led by Yunus Larry, Nathaniel Slawter and Kyle Simon-Guerin. Larry totaled a team-high 7.5 tackles including one that resulted in a 5-yard loss while both Slawter and Simon-Guerin recorded 5 solo tackles. 

The Gryphons (2-1) will look to bounce back next week as they return home to Alumni Stadium to face the McMaster Maruaders. Kickoff is set for 1 pm on Saturday, September 14. 
 

---