Box Score
GUELPH, Ont. - The University of Guelph Gryphon's opened their 2011 regular season on the wrong end of a 35-8 score to the Ottawa Gee Gee's Monday afternoon in front of 6,500 fans at Alumni Stadium. With the loss, Guelph opens the season with a 0-1 record while the Gee Gees advance to 1-0.
Aaron Colbon (Orleants, Ont.) led the Gee Gee's with 298 passing yards and two touchdowns to leading receiver Bogdan Raic (Ottawa), who accumulated 138 yards to go with his two touchdowns. Colbon was an efficient 23-for-32 on passing attempts on the day. Brendan Gillanders (Orleans) gained an impressive 186 yards on 16 carries for an 11.6 rushing average to go with his scoring touchdown. Gillanders performance was the main reason the Gee Gees earned a total of 296 rushing yards, compared to Guelph's 59 yards in rushing.
Gryphon's quarterback Chris Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.) completed 18-for-33 passes for 201 yards with a touchdown and an interception on the day. Rossetti also led the Gryphons with 36 rushing yards on five carries. David Honig led the Gryphon receivers with four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. In total the Gryphons only generated 294 yards in offense compared to Ottawa's 692 yards.
"I think its more mental than physical and the guys were rudely awakened with the outcome," said Guelph head coach Stu Lang. "Despite the outcome though our special teams were a positive in this game. I think Alex Charette was a real weapon returning the ball and our kicker Daniel Ferraro, once he got his legs, showed promise. So I think our special teams was a big focus."
The Gryphon's tough loss overshadowed a career day by fifth year receiver Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.), who set the Gryphon's all-time receiving mark with his catch early in the third quarter. With his 15-yard reception, Gardner became Guelph's all-time leader in receiving yards, a mark that he will add to as the season carries forth. For the day, Gardner had two receptions for 25 yards.
Both teams struggled to find their offense early in the game. The Gryphon's defence was able to hold the potent GeeGee's offense to a pair of rouges and a field goal as they trailed 5-0 after the first quarter.
After adding another field goal early in the second quarter, the GeeGee's finally got into the endzone as Colbon hooked up with Raic for the game's first touchdown, capping off an eight play drive. The two would hit pay dirt once again before halftime on a 22-yard reception. At the half the GeeGee's led 22-0.
While the Gryphon's offense wasstagnate for most of the game, the Guelph defence was able to keep them in the game for much of the first half. Linebacker Jake Reinhart (Guelph, Ont.) led all defenders with 11 total tackles, while defensive back Jordan Duncan (Grimsby, Ont.) accumulated 10.5 tackles on the day.
The second half opened with an impressive defensive stand by Guelph. Gardner returned the Gee Gee's punt 33-yards setting up his record setting catch.
On their second play of the half, Gardner made his record breaking catch for 15 yards, taking a big hit in the process. Gardner is now the sole owner of the Gryphon's receiving record and was awarded the game ball in front of a packed stadium of 6500.
After Guelph was forced to punt shortly after, Gillanders rumbled for a four yard touchdown run, capping a six play, 88 yard drive. Gillanders also had a big 22-yard reception during the drive that kept the Gryphon's defence off balance.
It wasn't until the 13 minute mark of the third quarter that Guelph was able to get on the scoreboard, with Honig and Rossetti hooking up for a three yard touchdown pass. Rossetti completed a short throw to Saxon Lindsey (Markham, Ont.) for the two-point conversion.
The fourth quarter saw the Gee Gee's score on two more field goals to close out the scoring. The Gryphon's used the opportunity to get some of their rookies some valuable game time experience.
Guelph held a slight advantage in possession time, but ultimately saw a number of penalties hold them back. The Gryphon's had 10 penalties accounting for 66 yards, with many negating some impressive plays. The Gee Gee's held the advantage in terms of turnovers, accumulating three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Guelph on the other hand had two fumble recoveries on the day.
The Gryphon's will be looking to avenge their season opening loss when they hit the road to take on the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday, September 10th in Waterloo. Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm.
