Guelph, Ont. – Dillon Campbell.  The best player in Canadian university football.  That is what many around the country are saying at the moment about Wilfrid Laurier's star running back.  If the Gryphons are to improve to 7-1 and finish their regular season on a high note, they will need to find a way to contain Laurier's super star in the backfield when the Gryphons and Golden Hawks clash on Saturday afternoon in Waterloo.
 
One week after having to contend with the OUA's reigning MVP in Western quarterback Will Finch, the Gryphon defence will now face another tough task as they match up against a player who many feel could take home OUA MVP honours in 2014.  Laurier's fourth year running back Dillon Campbell (Whitby, Ont.) currently leads the CIS in rushing yards (1,255), rushing touchdowns (11), rushing yards per game (179.3) and carries (150).  He has rushed for over 200 yards twice this season (falling just seven yards short of 300 in week one).  He has fumbled just once all year.  This Saturday, Campbell and the Golden Hawks (4-3) will be fighting for their playoff lives when they welcome the Gryphons to University Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1pm.
 
Defensively, the Gryphons are led by fourth year middle linebacker John Rush (Niagara Falls, Ont.).  He will be leaned on heavily this weekend as the Gryphons attempt to slow down Dillon Campbell and that Laurier offensive attack.  Rush, a second team OUA All-Star in 2012, has fully recovered from a torn knee ligament suffered a year ago, and has established himself as one of the top linebackers in the OUA.  His patented style on the field (with his jersey tucked under his shoulder pads) makes him easily identifiable from the stands; his natural instincts and ability to read plays on the field make him easily identifiable to coaches during film sessions.  Rush is flanked by MacKenzie Myers (Guelph, Ont.) and Curtis Newton (London, Ont.) who round out a linebacking core that has provided the Gryphons with consistent, strong play all season long.  Complementing that group is a hard-working defensive line unit that is led by two-time All-Star defensive end Cameron Walker (London, Ont.).  Walker's athleticism and tremendous pursuit off the edge has been on display all season long.  All eyes will be on this Gryphons talented front seven on Saturday as they attempt to slow down Laurier's ground game.  Aside from Campbell, the Golden Hawks feature a dual-threat quarterback in James Fracas (Waterloo, Ont.) who completes a high percentage of his passes and spreads the ball around to a balanced receiving core.  
 
Last week, it was not a balanced receiving core for the Gryphons.  It was more of a two man show.  Receivers Alexander Charette (St. Catherine's, Ont.) and A'dre Fraser (Halifax, NS) were Jazz Lindsey's favourite targets against Western, combining for 24 catches, 398 yards and two touchdowns in a thrilling 49-46 victory.  This weekend, the Gryphons will face a Laurier defense that features talented athletes at every level.  At 6-2, 205 pounds, defensive back Chris Ackie (Cambridge, Ont.) has garnered some attention from CFL scouts and will pose a difficult matchup for Charette and the other Gryphon receivers who line up in front of him.  The strength of Laurier's defense lies in the defensive line, which is anchored by All-Star calibre players in Kwaku Boateng (Milton, Ont.) and Ese Mrabure-Ajufo (Mississauga, Ont.).  

Saturday's matchup at Knight-Newbrough Field will be a tough test for the Gryphons, who will look to finish with a 7-1 regular season record for the third straight year.