Guelph 24 – Windsor 9

Windsor, Ont. (October 4, 2014) – In cool, windy conditions in Windsor, the No. 6 ranked Guelph Gryphons football team picked up a crucial 24-9 road win over the previously undefeated Lancers. Both teams now sit at 4-1 in the standings. 

Gryphons kicker Daniel Ferraro was outstanding converted on five of his six field goal attempts despite the windy conditions, scoring 16 of the Gryphon's 24 points. Jazz Lindsey spread the ball around, completing passes to seven different receivers and finished teh day with 162 yards on 17-of-21. His top target of the day was A'dre Fraser with three catches for 49 yards. 
 
It is hard to believe that the Gryphons defence could actually improve after posting a shutout two weeks ago in their homecoming win over Queen's, but they did just that. The focus for the Gryphons defence coming into this one, not surprisingly, was finding a way to contain the Lancers potent quarterback-receiver tandem of Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.) and Evan Pszczonak (Amherstburg, Ont.).  In the first half, Pszczonak was limited to one catch while Kennedy was sacked three times and threw two interceptions.
 
For the Gryphons, the return of starting free safety Tristan Doughlin (Toronto, Ont.) could not have come at a better time.  The third year defensive back suffered a dislocated elbow in the Gryphons home opener versus U of T on Sept. 6, but just three weeks later was back on the field making an impact. In the first quarter, Doughlin announced his return by picking off Kennedy on the Guelph goaline. The Gryphons offense would concede a safety on the ensuing play – resulting in Windsor's only points of the entire first half.
 
The Gryphons led 3-2 after the first quarter of play and in the second would get a spark from the special teams unit. A blocked punt by Fraser Speakman (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) gave Guelph a short field and would lead to a Daniel Ferraro (Mississauga, Ont.) field goal to make it 6-2 Gryphons. 
 
The Guelph defence, which recorded 10 sacks in their last outing, would then continue to get pressure in the backfield.  A sack from Curtis Newton (London, Ont.) forced the Lancers to once again punt it away.  That's when the Gryphons were able to put together their first solid drive on offence. Johnny Augustine (Welland, Ont.) and Robert Farquharson (Niagara Falls, Ont.) powered their way for a few first downs on the ground.  Once inside the red zone, a completed pass from Jazz Lindsey (Markham, Ont.) to Lucas Spagnuolo (Grimsby, Ont.) put the ball at the Lancers one yard line.  Farquharson would punch it in from there for the only touchdown of the opening half to make it 13-2 Gryphons. 
 
Austin Kennedy had the Lancers on the move late in the second, but a great leaping interception by Colin Mandich (London, Ont.) in the endzone helped the Gryphons take an 18-2 lead into the locker room.
 
Windsor would finally find the endzone in the 3^rd quarter, but not through the air.  Lancers running back Tarrence Crawford (Windsor, Ont.) would score his first CIS touchdown and trim the deficit to 18-9.
 
It would stay that way until the fourth, where the Gryphons would get another big play from the special teams unit.  A 43-yard punt return by Spagnuolo led to Ferraro's fourth field goal of the day giving Guelph a 21-9 lead.
 
Windsor fans in attendance anticipating an Austin Kennedy-led comeback would leave disappointed as the Gryphons defence continued to come up with big plays.  With the ball on Guelph's 32 yard line, Kennedy was pressured and in desperation would try to shovel an ill-advised pass to avoid the sack. Instead, he was picked off for the third time on the day, this one by Nicholas Parisotto (Guelph, Ont.).

Kennedy, who came in averaging over 320 yards passing per game, finished the day with 166 yards passing.  Evan Pszczonak, who came into the game averaging just over 160 yards receiving per game, finished the day with just 4 catches for 56 yards. 
 
The Gryphons will next take the field under the lights at Alumni Stadium on Friday, October 10 when they take on the Carleton Ravens.  Kickoff is set for 7pm and will be webcast on oua.tv