Guelph, ON - The Homecoming win over McMaster was nice. But the Gryphons did not have much time to celebrate because the next opponent should prove to be yet another tough test. For the second straight week the Gryphons welcome a Top 10 team to Alumni Stadium as they get set to face the No. 9-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees (2-1) on Saturday (Sept. 26). Kickoff at Alumni Stadium is set for 1pm and the game will be televised live on Rogers TV Cable 20 and can also be seen live online at OUA.tv.

Last week, the Gryphon defence had to deal with McMaster's sophomore sensation at quarterback in Asher Hastings. This week, the Gryphon D squares off against yet another talented pivot in Ottawa QB Derek Wendel.

Wendel ranks third in the country with 355.3 passing yards per game through three games in 2015. Even more impressive is his touchdown-to-interception ratio at 11-to-1. Last week, the Gryphons were able to intercept McMaster QB Asher Hastings twice - his only two interceptions on the season - and they will need another big performance from their secondary if they are going to improve to 5-0 on the season. As a team, the Gryphons rank 2nd in the CIS with 8 interceptions on the year. OUA All-Star Free Safety Tristan Doughlin leads the pack with 3 while Nick Parisotto has 2. What is even more impressive about Doughlin's 3 interceptions is that they have come essentially with one hand. The Toronto native suffered a broken bone in his hand in Week 2's game versus Laurier. After sitting out Guelph's Week 3 game, Doughlin returned to the Gryphon secondary for the matchup with McMaster playing with a cast on his right hand. Playing injured of course is nothing new for Doughlin, who last season played with a large brace on his arm as he was recovering from a dislocated elbow. Despite the injuries, Tristan has consistently performed at a high level at the back end of the Guelph defence and his incredible range will be something that Ottawa QB Derek Wendel will have to account for come Saturday afternoon.

While the Gryphon defence has been solid on the back end, it is the play of their talented linebackers that has set the tone for what has been yet another impressive season defensively for the Gryphons in 2015. Curtis Newton, a Second Team All-Canadian in 2014, has picked up right where he left off a year ago. Fifth year senior middle linebacker John Rush is coming off of a stellar performance against McMaster in which he earned the team's Defensive Player of the Game honours. Rounding out a talented linebacking corp is Andrew Graham who is the team's sack leader with 3. The Gryphon linebackers and defensive backs will work together on Saturday to try to slow a dangerous Ottawa passing game. If they are going to do that, they will need to contain Ottawa's fifth year receiver Ian Stewart. The Burlington native leads the OUA with 131.3 receiving yards per game. Stewart is complimented by fellow receiver Mitchell Baines, brother of Gryphon DB Riley Baines, who currently is tied T-2 in the CIS with 4 TD receptions in 2015. Rounding out the Gee-Gees offensive  attack is running back Bryce Vieira who is averaging just over 6 yards per carry and who can also make an impact as a receiver out of the backfield.

For the Gryphon offence, the challenge this week will be dealing with an extremely aggressive style of play from the Ottawa D. Although the Gee-Gees have lost their star player on defence from a year ago with Ettore Lattanzio now in the CFL (Ottawa Redblacks), the unit is still one which boasts plenty of talent at the back end. The Guelph offensive line will have to contend with a blitz-happy Ottawa approach. The good news for Guelph is that second year quarterback James Roberts is coming off one of his most impressive performances as a Gryphon. While his 178 yards passing last week may seem underwhelming at first glance, when you take into consideration the tough conditions as well as the opponent and bright lights of the Homecoming stage, his performance was certainly clutch. Roberts threw a pair of touchdowns and ran in another. More importantly, he was able to take care of the ball and did not throw a single interception after having been picked off a career-high five times in his previous game. Roberts looked sharp versus the Marauders and will look to continue that form Saturday against the Gee-Gees.

On Special Teams, the Gryphons received yet another solid performance from kicker/punter Gabriel Ferraro. The second year man made 4 field goals last week against McMaster despite difficult, wet conditions. Return specialist Ryan Nieuwesteeg is a name that the entire CIS is familiar with at this point, especially the Gee-Gees. Last season against Ottawa, Nieuwesteeg had 8 punt returns for 129 yards. This season, Nieuwesteeg is leading the CIS with 374 punt return yards, while averaging an impressive 16.3 yards per return.

Saturday's game at Alumni Stadium also marks the Gryphons annual "United Way Game." Portions from each ticket will go towards supporting the United Way, and donations will be accepted at the Gate as fans enter the stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Following this home game against the Gee-Gees, the Gryphons will travel to Kingston to face Queen's on Oct. 3rd. After that, they will enjoy their Bye Week during Thanksgiving before hosting the Windsor Lancers on Oct. 17 in what will be the last home game of the regular season schedule (Guelph closes out their regular season on the road against Carleton on Oct. 24).