BURLINGTON, Ont. - Third-year defensive back
Jason Richards from the Gryphon football team was named the OUA's Special Teams Player of the Week on Tuesday following standout performance versus Ottawa on Saturday (Nov. 3) in his team's come-from-behind 27-22 victory over the Gee-Gees in the OUA semi-final. It marks the fourth week in a row, and the seventh time this season, that a Gryphon football player has garnered conference-wide honours.
OUA Players of the Week - OUA Semi-finals
Offence: Alex Taylor (Western Mustangs)
Defence: Mackenzie Ferguson (Western Mustangs)
Special Teams: Jason Richards (Defensive Back, Guelph)
Special teams heroics are nothing new for Richards, a third-year defensive back from Thornhill, ON. Just two weeks ago, he ignited the Gryphons by blocking a Waterloo punt and running it in for Guelph's first touchdown in a 47-44 double overtime thriller that locked up a playoff spot. Richards showcased that game-changing ability again Saturday with a play that may have not gotten all the notoriety of Bresciani's touchdown but was equally critical. Ottawa was set to take a commanding 24-10 lead on the Gryphons late in the third quarter with what looked like a routine short field goal. But Richards showed the heart that has defined Guelph throughout its playoff run by blocking Raphael's Cote's kick to dramatically swing the momentum of the game. The offence took over in the fourth quarter and the rest is history. Richards also chipped in two assisted tackles and a fumble recovery while on specials teams duty.
For more information on the OUA Football Players of the Week, visit
oua.ca.
The Gryphons are now preparing to head to London for the
111th Yates Cup (Nov. 10 - 1pm).
Tickets for the game are on sale now.
Gryphon Football Players Named OUA Players of the Week in 2018:
