Winnipeg, MB – The Gryphons football team played to a 33-33 tie on Saturday (Aug. 22) in a preseason meeting with the Manitoba Bisons.  The game took over five hours to complete after multiple weather delays as a wicked weather system blew through the city of Winnipeg.  The Gryphons got off to a slow start and found themselves trailing 18-0 at the half.  The second half was all the Gryphons as they would outscore the Bisons 33-15. 

Last year, Gryphons kicker Daniel Ferraro set the CIS single-season record with 26 made field goals.  This season, Daniel moves into the role of kicking coach for the Gryphons, and he will be working with his younger brother, Gabriel, who is entering into his second year at U of G.  Overall, it was a bit of a shaky start for Gabe who finished the day 1-for-3 on field goals, but he also impressed with his punting in the difficult conditions, finishing the day with three punts inside-the-20 and a long of 66 yards.  In the third quarter, shortly after Gabe split the uprights on a 15-yard chip shot field goal, the Gryphons offence would find the endzone.  Second year quarterback James Roberts would connect with All-Star receiver A'Dre Fraser for a seven-yard major to trim the deficit to 18-11.  While the Roberts-to-Fraser connection was a welcomed sight for the Gryphon offence, it was some big plays from the Gryphon defence that turned the tide in the second half.
 
Early in the fourth quarter, first year linebacker Job Reinhart (Guelph, ON) picked off a pass to and took it all the way back for a 53-yard pick-six. Shortly after that, the Gryphon offence would come up with a big play through the air as rookie quarterback Theo Landers (Maple Ridge, BC) would hook up with receiver Colin Booth for a  34-yard touchdown that made it a two point game as the Bisons led 27-25.
 
With 3:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Gryphon defence would once again steal the spotlight with their second pick-six of the game.  This time, it was highly touted freshman defensive back Elijah Walker (Brampton, ON) who would get his hands on a pass and 45-yards the other way to give Guelph a 32-30 lead.  After a rouge extended the Gryphons lead to three, Manitoba kicker Ryan Jones was good on the final play of the game from 22-yards out.  His fifth field goal of the day ensured that the entertaining preseason affair ended in a 33-33 tie.
 
Gryphons quarterback James Roberts finished the day 14 of 27 for 147 yards while also recording one touchdown and one interception.  A pair of incoming rookie quarterbacks for the Gryphons, Theo Landers and David Luke, also were given some valuable playing time.  Running the ball was always going to be a challenge against a big, tough Manitoba front seven.  Leading the way on the ground for the Gryphons was Brandon Gordon who had 40 yards on five carries.  In total, six different Gryphon running backs had the opportunity to carry the ball, including incoming rookie Kyle Sinden (Tillsonburg, ON) who picked up 28 yards on just three carries (9.3 yards per carry).  A'Dre Fraser was clearly James Roberts' No. 1 option as the fourth year man hauled in a team high six receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, second year linebacker Luke Korol led the team with 12 total tackles.  Close behind was rookie linebacker Job Reinhart with seven tackles to go with his interception returned for a touchdown.  Reinhart also combined with Reza Shayani for a sack, while incoming rookie Chris Larsen (Toronto, ON) was the other Gryphon player to get to the quarterback.

Guelph's All-Canadian returner Ryan Nieuwesteeg stepped aside to allow several rookies to get their opportunities to be involved on special teams.  First year players Kyle Sinden, Kade Belyk (Regina, SK), Mike Ciaverella (Hamilton, ON) and Akeem Knowles (Brampton, ON) all factored into the return game. 
 
The Gryphons will now prepare for their regular season opener against the Waterloo Warriors on Sunday, August 30.  The game will be played at Warrior Field and is set to kickoff at 7pm.  The game can be seen live on OUA.tv.  Following their Week 1 meeting with U of W, the Gryphons will return home on Labour Day (Monday, Sept. 7) to host the Laurier Golden Hawks in their 2015 Home Opener.  Tickets for that game can be purchased at gryphons.ca/tickets.  The Gryphons/Golden Hawks game will also be streamed live online (OUA.tv) and will also be televised live on Rogers TV Cable 20 for viewers in the Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo areas.