The Guelph Gryphon football team takes on the Toronto Varsity Blues on Wednesday, September 1 at Alumni Stadium to open their 2010 campaign.  Kick off is at 3:00 p.m. 
 

The Gryphons enter the 2010 season with a new look.  First year head coach, Stu Lang takes over the reigns of the program, after moving up from his former position as receivers coach last season.  He will be joined by a pair of new full-time coordinators in Perry Marchese as the offensive coordinator and Kevin MacNeill as the defensive coordinator. 
 

With a number of key returners on both sides of the ball back in the fold, the Gryphons are looking to move up from their 3-5 record and sixth place finish last season. Last season, they were defeated by the OUA runner-up Western Mustangs (37-18) in the quarter-finals.  Of the five league losses, four were by a total of 15 points. 
 

Toronto went 1-7 in 2009. Their lone win came in a 45-27 victory over the York Lions. With new leadership emerging and a strong recruiting class, head coach Greg DeLaval will turn to fourth-year quarterback Andrew Gillis to lead the team. Also watch for receiver Michael Prempeh, who returns to the field after an injury-riddled 2009 season, and Josh Gibbs, who will be called upon to lead a much improved offensive line. Three-time OUA all-star, Derek Batchelor led the team and was ranked seventh in the province with a career-high 50 solo tackles last season. Batchelor, Mark Evens, Kyle Kennedy, Willie Sharpe and Wilkerson DeSouza, who had a breakout year in 2009, lead a veteran crew on the defensive side of the ball.  The Varsity Blues recently fell 40-17 in an exhibition match to the McGill Redmen last week.  
 

For Guelph, the departure of fifth-year starting quarterback, Justin Dunk will be a blow to the Gryphons.  After a summer of hard work and preparation,Chris Rossetti (Mississauga) (Mississuaga, Ont.), Luke Nangle (London) (London, Ont.) and Brian Chris (Waterloo) (Waterloo, Ont.) look to take control of the offence from the quarterback position.  Third-year Chris Rossetti (Mississauga)gained a little experience last season, helping to lead the Gryphons to a 34-24 victory over Waterloo.   
 

The Gryphons will return five starters on offence, including two of the most dynamic football players in the country including receiverJedd Gardner (Niagara Falls) (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and running back Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch) (Puslinch, Ont.).  Look for both to be significant components of the 2010 offence. Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch) returns for his fifth and final season. He was named a first team OUA all-star and second team All-Canadian last year after leading the Gryphons in scoring with 14 touchdowns and a total of 84 points. He finished with a total of 752 yards in rushing.
 

With a veteran defence that returns 10 starters, the Gryphons are expecting to dictate the tempo of games this year with their aggressiveness and speed.  Last season the defence fought hard each week however failed to reach its expectations and under performed to the level of its very talented personal.  Expect to see several changes for the Gryphons this season in their attempt to stop opposing team's offensive outputs.
 

The defensive front returns veteran leadersGrant MacDonald (London) (London, Ont.) and Scott Eggleton (Belleville) (Belleville, Ont.) who both are returning to the program for their final year of eligibility. Team captain Adam Dunk (Guelph) (Guelph, Ont.) returns to finish off his distinguished University career.  Playing besideAdam Dunk (Guelph) again will be Matthew Rossetti (Mississauga) (Mississauga, Ont.) who led the Gryphon's in tackles with a total of 60 and added two sacks.  
 

In the secondary all five starters return, with two-time first team All-Canadian James Savoie (Niagara Falls)(Niagara Falls, Ont.) leading the way. 
 

Last season the Gryphons defeated the Varsity Blues in Toronto 53-25.Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch) led the way with four touchdowns. 
 

Kick off is at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1 at Alumni Stadium. Tickets can be purchased in advance by visiting our online box office at www.gryphons.ca or phoning 519-82-GRYPH