GUELPH, Ont. – Under sunny skies and in front of a crowd of just over 2,500 fans at Alumni Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Guelph Gryphons officially kicked off the 2019 OUA football regular season with a home matchup versus the McMaster Marauders. It was a dream start to the season for the new-look Gryphs, thanks to a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from rookie
Clark Barnes on the opening play of the game. But the visiting Marauders would take control from there, riding 25 unanswered points to a 25-10 road win over the Gryphons.
"I have to commend McMaster," said Gryphons head coach
Ryan Sheahan, who made his U SPORTS coaching debut Sunday after taking over the University of Guelph football program in January of 2019.
Gryphon head coach Ryan Sheahan
"Their defence looked sound and their quarterback seems to have really come of age and was able to find holes when they needed him to. But you don't throw the baby out with the bath water. This was going to take more than one week to get ready and obviously that showed today. We basically just have to hit the reset button and re-focus for a different opponent next week."
The Marauders were led by third-year quarterback Andreas Dueck, who impressed throughout the day and finished the game 28-37 for 298 yards and a touchdown. The Gryphons were outgained in total offence 402 to 240 with U of G quarterback
Theo Landers held in check (14-of-25, 178 yards, 1 INT).
Clark Barnes produced one of the most memorable starts to a season in Gryphon history with an electrifying 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the season in style.
Rookie Clark Barnes takes the opening kickoff back for a TD
The 6-2, 200 lbs receiver showed off some great agility and breakaway speed, spinning of a tackle before accelerating up the sideline for the score.
The Marauders would cut into the lead in the 2nd quarter, with Dueck connecting with Tyson Middlemost for a 16-yard touchdown to put McMaster in front 9-7. The lead would grow in the 3rd quarter when a 4-play, 43-yard drive was finished off by a 1-yard QB sneak from McMaster backup Matt Krason.
The Gryphons struggled to find their rhythm offensively, finishing the day with 67 yards rushing.
Jason Richards pass breakup
Rookie running back
Kaine Stevenson (Windsor, ON) carried the ball 11 times for 46 yards (4.2 avg) while fourth-year receiver
Kian Schaffer-Baker led the way in the receiving corps with 4 receptions for 63 yards. Gryphons third-year linebacker
Jared Beeksma and fourth-year free safety
Dotun Aketepe each recorded 7.5 tackles on the day, while defensive lineman
Alain Cimankinda recorded the Gryphons lone sack on the day.
The Gryphons (0-1) will look to rebound next Sunday (Sept. 1) when they travel to Ottawa to face Carleton (1-0) after the Ravens opened their season with a 18-12 road win over Queen's in their season opener. The Gryphons will then return home on Saturday, Sept. 7 for a 1pm matchup versus the York Lions.
