A shutout in the third quarter powered the University of Guelph Gryphons past the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 26-21 Friday night (Aug. 24) in a non-conference football game at Griffiths Stadium in PotashCorp Park, in Saskatchewan.
 
Gryphon quarterback Matthew Carney led the his team down the field on a six play, 27-yard drive to the end zone at 13:12 in the third quarter. Guelph then added a two-point convert on the drive and managed to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard in the quarter. The touchdown provided the final lead change of the game.
 
The Gryphons continued to play strong in the second half winning the battle on the ground. The Huskies managed just 30 rushing yards in the second half, while Guelph's tailbacks Corey Davidson and Marc Rutledge combined for 111 yards in the game.
 
Saskatchewan opened the scoring in the game with a Cole Samson 45-yard field goal at 6:05. The Gryphons answered back on the next drive with Robert Farquharson finding the end zone at 9:26 on a one-yard run.
 
The two teams traded touchdowns in the second frame. Drew Burko connected with Kit Hillis on a 63-yard touchdown at the end of the quarter, while Lucas Nangle found A'dre Fraser on a 23-yard play at 7:01. The Huskies added a rouge in the second to lead 15-14 at halftime.
 
Guelph added a rouge and a field goal in the fourth, while Samson hit another field goal, this time from 28-yards out, and Chase Bradshaw added a touchdown in the dying seconds of the game for Saskatchewan.
 
Three different quarterbacks played at pivot for the Huskies including rookies Drew Burko and Matthew Bonaca, as well as CJFL transfer Chase Bradshaw. The three combined to complete 24-of-43 passes for 348 yards. Guelph also played three at pivot with Nangle playing the majority of the game completing 10-of-14 passes for 142 yards.
 
Hillis had a strong performance pulling in eight catches for 117 yards and one touchdown, while Garrett Burgess added another three snags for 66 yards for the Huskies. Guelph spread the ball around the receiving corps with nine different players making a catch in the game. Carl Trivieri led the way with 77 yards on three catches.
 
Jake Reinhart led the way on defence for the Gryphons recording five tackles and one sack, while Jacques Geyer led the way for the Huskies with 7.5 tackles.
 
Guelph opens their OUA season September 3, against the reigning Vanier Cup champion McMaster University Marauders at Ron Joyce Stadium. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. and tickets are available online at www.marauders.ca.

- with files from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies -