GUELPH, ON – One week after having their homecoming party spoiled by the Western Mustangs, the Gryphons now find themselves swapping roles as they look to play spoiler at McMaster's 2016 homecoming game this weekend in Hamilton. Kickoff at Ron Joyce Stadium between the Gryphons and Marauders is set for 1pm on Saturday, October 1st.
 
It would be a huge understatement to say that the Gryphons are currently in the midst of a difficult stretch of their schedule. For Guelph, Saturday's game versus McMaster will mark the third of four consecutive games in which they will face teams ranked inside the CIS Top 10. The Gryphons come into this Week 6 encounter following a pair of losses against the No. 7-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees and No. 3-ranked Western Mustangs. And now, it is the well-rested, No. 8-ranked McMaster Marauders, who await. McMaster is coming off of their bye week and have been preparing for their shot at the defending Yates Cup champs for the past two weeks. After this game, the Gryphons will use their bye week to prepare for a tough road game against the undefeated and No. 6-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks on October 14th. It's not just a difficult stretch of schedule. It's murderer's row.
 
With a win-loss record of 2-3, the Gryphons currently find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they are currently looking up at five other teams ahead of them in the 11-team OUA standings. If they are to escape Hamilton with a victory on Saturday, the Gryphons will need a strong defensive performance against what is a potent offensive attack for the Marauders.
 
McMaster is led on offence by their CIS record-holder at quarterback in Asher Hastings. Hastings, who is now in his final year of eligibility, set the CIS single-season record for touchdown passes with 31 in 2015. He averaged 323.3 yards per game as well last season. Through four games this season, Hasting's numbers are a little more modest, as he's averaged 258 yards per game while boasting a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 7-to-2. The offence surrounding Hastings is stacked with skill and experience, as CIS First Team All-Canadian Danny Vandervoort leads a receiving corps including last year's OUA leader in receptions, Dan Petermann, and veterans Josh Vandeweerd and Max Cameron. Returning for his own fifth season is running back Chris Pezzetta who is a powerful runner in the Marauder backfield. 
 
The Gryphons will head to Hamilton this weekend with some confidence after having defeated McMaster in their most recent meeting. Last year, these two teams met during Guelph's 2015 homecoming game, which the Gryphons won 33-23. Finding a way to win at Mac, however, has proved to be a difficult task for the Gryphons in recent years as McMaster has won each of the last six head-to-head matchups played in Hamilton. The last time the Gryphons won on the road versus the Marauders was during the 2007 playoffs. While the 2016 OUA playoffs are still a month away, it will certainly feel like playoff-like football from here on out for the Gryphons who will look to get back to their winning ways on Saturday.