HAMILTON, Ont. – Saturday afternoon (Sept. 20, 2025) from Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, the Gryphon football team fell to the McMaster Marauders, 25-15. With the loss, the Gryphons record drops to 1-4 on the season, while the McMaster Marauders with their first win of the season and move to 1-3.
 
Wind played a major factor throughout the afternoon, and it was the Gryphons who got off to a good start in the game with the wind at their back. With Guelph leading 2-0 in the 1st quarter, Tristan Aboud found Trenten Dobson open downfield for a long 48-yard reception down to the 5-yard line, setting up a rushing touchdown from third-year QB Marshall McCray, his 4th rushing touchdown of the season, to give the visitors an early 9-0 lead. The Gryphon defence impressed early on, holding the Marauders to only two-and-outs in the opening quarter with some strong open field tackling. The 2nd quarter would see the hosts take advantage of the wind as they were able to flip field position, forcing the Gryphons to start deep in their own end as the Marauders answered back, scoring 12 straight points with the wind to take a 12-9 lead at halftime.
 
The Gryphon defence was doing their part to keep team in the game as they continued to get stops in the 3rd quarter and keeping the deficit to within one score. With the Marauders leading 13-9 early in the 4th quarter and both defences taking over the game, it would be a big play from the host Marauders that would break the game open. With the ball at their 29-yard line and the wind at their back, McMaster quarterback Luke Thalman would connect with Aidan Nemeth for an 81-yard touchdown to give the hosts a 20-9 lead. The Gryphon offence were unable to contain the Marauder pass rush down the stretch, as Gryphons QB Tristan Aboud was under pressure throughout the afternoon. Guelph had their chances in the 4th quarter to cut into the deficit but were ultimately unable to solve the McMaster defence. After McMaster tacked on a field goal and two single points to extend their lead to 16 points, the Gryphons, trailing 25-9 late in the fourth, would drive downfield and find the end zone on a reception from Willem Arseneau. The comeback attempt would come to an end on the two-point conversion as the Marauder pass rush would get to Tristan Aboud, forcing him to release the ball early for the incompletion as McMaster secured the 25-15 win.
 
The Gryphons (1-4) will look to bounce back next week, as they make a trip up north to Ottawa for their final road game of the season to face the Carleton Ravens (2-2) on Saturday, September 27 at 4pm from TAAG Park. Following next week's trip to the nation's capital, the Gryphons return home on Saturday, October 4 to host the Queen's Gaels in the University of Guelph's annual Homecoming football game. Tickets for the October 4 Homecoming game are still available online at www.gryphons.ca/tickets.