Saturday, October 14
1pm
Alumni Stadium, University of Guelph
Guelph Gryphons vs Laurier Golden Hawks
TV:  Live on Rogers Cable 20 (for viewers in Waterloo Region, Guelph, Brantford & Stratford)
Online:  www.oua.tv
 

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GUELPH – Recharged and focused. That's a good description of the Guelph Gryphons football team two weeks after an inspirational comeback victory in Waterloo and a bye that came at the perfect time. The rest and added opportunity to prepare will be needed when the Gryphons face one of their biggest tests of the OUA season, a date with the defending Yates Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks at the annual Think Pink and Senior Day game at Alumni Stadium Saturday, Oct. 14.
 
Guelph, ranked 10^th in the most recent U SPORTS national poll, defeated the Waterloo Warriors 53-49 on a last-minute Johnny Augustine touchdown back on Sept. 30, celebrated the official opening of their beautiful new Pavilion a couple days later, and then used their bye to recover, rest and prep for No. 5 Laurier.
 
"The big thing for us was keeping focused over the bye week," said head coach Kevin MacNeill. "We've settled into our new normal. Our process is definitely more efficient. It's nice to establish our new routine and get into those good habits that we need to be successful."
 

Those good habits will be a necessity against the dangerous Golden Hawks (5-1). The rivalry between the two schools just 30 minutes from each other has featured many closely-contested games in recent years. While Laurier hung on for a 27-25 win last year in Waterloo after Guelph was unable to complete a two-point conversion in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter, the Gryphons had won the previous four meetings, including a couple nail biters.
 
The Golden Hawks can put up points, averaging 42.3 points across six games, second in the OUA to only Western (45.3). 
 
"They have playmakers all over the field and an ability to score throwing the ball deep, throwing the ball short, running the football," MacNeill said. "Their players can take it to the house from anywhere. The challenge is to prevent the big plays and make sure that we're not putting ourselves in a position where they can get on you quick."
 
Laurier quarterback Michael Knevel orchestrates the potent offence. He's completed an impressive 145 of 216 attempts for 2,162 (360.3 yards per game) and a 15:4 touchdown to interception ratio. The yardage, per game average and touchdown totals are all tops in the OUA. Kurleigh Gittens Jr (57 catches for an OUA-high 792 yards and five touchdowns) and Brentyn Hall (25 receptions for 533 yards and five touchdowns) are Knevel's main targets. Levondre Gordon leads the rushing attack with 109 carries for 710 yards and seven touchdowns.
  "With Laurier, you have to pick your poison and decide what you want to take away," said MacNeill. "You focus on one thing and they're pretty good at making you pay in another way. It will definitely be a bit of a chess match. We'll have to be ready for their answers."
 
The Gryphons have their own offensive arsenal and are right behind Laurier averaging 40.2 points per game. Guelph was punishing both on the ground and in the air the last time out against Waterloo, with Augustine running for three touchdowns and quarterback Theodore Landers looking sharp in his first career start with 205 passing yards, 106 rushing yards and two total touchdowns. Landers showed he could spread the ball around to a strong receiving corps, led by Jacob Scarfone, Kian Schaffer-Baker and Kade Belyk.
 
Guelph intends to get that big offence rolling early and be smart with field position.
 

"When we have the opportunity to hit a big play, we need to make that throw and make that catch," MacNeill said. "That will be key."
 
The matchup is an important one for the Gryphons, who have shown killer instinct at times but could have been better closing out opportunities to take down some of the OUA's elite teams like Western, where they lost in overtime.

It's also a chance to pay tribute to those many women suffering from breast cancer with the Think Pink theme, and the fourth-year seniors who have helped shape the program.
 
"This is a special game every year because of what it means beyond football," said MacNeill. "We want to do our part to raise awareness for breast cancer, a devastating disease that impacts so many of our family members and friends. The courage of those affected is an example for us.
 
"We also want to recognize our seniors. The players that have been here for the past four years have had a unique experience and given so much to this program. They have played a big part in establishing Gryphon football.
 
"To see our players grow from inexperienced rookies to men over the course of their careers is what university football is all about."
 

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Gryphons' Individual Statistics
Gryphons' Team Statistics
 

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