HAMILTON, Ont. - Despite a late push as the clock was winding down, the No. 7-nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons (3-3) came up just short Saturday afternoon (Oct. 30) in Hamilton. Trying to round out their 2021 OUA regular season schedule with a victory, a few key plays that got away from Guelph ultimately were too much to overcome in a 27-22 road loss to the McMaster Marauders (3-3). Despite Saturday's loss, the Gryphons are still playoff-bound and will go on the road to face Laurier on November 6th in an OUA West Division semifinal.
OUA Tiebreaking Procedure to Determine Seeding in OUA West Division
The Gryphons ended the 2021 regular season in a 4-way tie with McMaster, Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier (all four teams at 3-3). When the dust settled with the OUA's tiebreaking procedures, it was the McMaster Marauders who were on the outside looking in for the 2021 OUA football playoff picture. 
With McMaster out, that left a three-way tie between Guelph, Laurier and Waterloo.
Guelph (3-3) / Laurier (3-3) / Waterloo (3-3) tiebreaker:
Step 1: Most league wins (if the teams have played the same number of games). – All tied with 3 wins
Step 2: Record in head-to-head competition (if all teams involved in the tie have played each other at least once). N/A
Step 3: Point difference in head-to-head competition (if all teams involved in the tie have played once) – N/A
Step 4: Record in games within the division. - N/A
Step 5: Record in games against common opponents. Common opponents: McMaster, Western, and Windsor
Guelph defeated Western, Lost to Windsor and McMaster (1-2)
Laurier defeated Windsor and McMaster, Lost to Western (2-1)
Waterloo defeated Windsor, Lost to Western and McMaster (1-2)
Wilfrid Laurier is the #2 seed.
The Guelph/Waterloo tie would then be broken using Step 2, with Guelph defeating Waterloo in head-to-head competition. Guelph is now the #3 seed and Waterloo the #4 seed.
OUA West Division semifinals (Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021):
#4 Waterloo at #1 Western
#3 Guelph at #2 Wilfrid Laurier
Recap of Gryphons' 27-22 Road Loss to McMaster
In what was largely a defensive slugfest on Saturday at Ron Joyce Stadium, the Gryphons had a window of opportunity in the third quarter. However, despite starting three straight drives deep in McMaster territory, the Gryphons were unable to capitalize as a stingy Marauder defence forced three straight turnovers and maintained what was an 11-10 lead at the time.
Although McMaster began to switch momentum as a result of those defensive stands and were able to eventually create a two-possession lead, the Gryphs continued to fight back. Up until the final :57 seconds of the game, Guelph was able to keep themselves in the contest. Unfortunately for the Gryphons, McMaster would recover Guelph's late onside kick attempt and snuff out any remaining hope for the visitors.
As the game got underway, the Gryphon defence came out making a statement. Forcing a McMaster two and out, while also pushing them back 10 yards, the Gryphons quickly showed why they are considered one of the best units in the country. However, following a Gryphon turnover on downs just shy of midfield, the Marauder offence was able to take advantage just three plays later scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run.
After McMaster went up 7-0, the two teams struggled to figure out each other's defence. Following multiple punts by both teams, the Gryphons began to gain some traction with the legs of Kaine Stevenson. With runs of 17 and 21 yards on back-to-back plays, the Windsor native swiftly got Guelph moving down the field before settling for a field goal attempt. From 46-yards away, Eric Stranz made no mistake trimming the home team's lead to 7-3.
Early in the second quarter, Guelph elected to concede a safety rather than punt from their own end zone after being held deep in their own territory. Fortunately for the Gryphs, they were able to get those points back on their next drive when Stranz converted a 47-yard field goal try. Trailing 9-6 with 6:17 to go in the first half, Shawn Lal connected with Kiondre Smith for 30 yards. After a roughing the passer penalty was tacked on, Guelph found themselves set up on the McMaster 12. Unable to get into the end zone, the Gryphs still managed to tie the game with the foot of Stranz who made no mistake from 19-yards away.
The game remained tied until the final minute of the second quarter, when the Marauders jumped back out in front with a 31-yard field goal.
Down by three points at the half, Guelph began to run into problems on offence in the third.
Following a 48-yard punt return by Kiondre Smith which set Guelph up on the McMaster 32, the Gryphs came away empty handed when Lal's pass was intercepted near the goal line just a few plays later. Despite the turnover though, Guelph would soon get another chance.
After their defence stopped McMaster leading to the Marauders surrendering a safety rather than punting, the Gryphons once again found themselves deep in McMaster territory following another tremendous return by Smith. Receiving the kick at his own 17, Smith made a couple of moves and found a crease before finally being tackled at the Marauders 14.
Again though, despite the field position Guelph was unable to find points as Lal had the ball stripped when he tried to scramble for a first down. Like déjà vu, after the turnover the same situation seemed to play out again. The Gryphon's defence came up with another stop and
Kiondre Smith came up with another strong return. Fielding the ball on the McMaster 40-yard line, Smith darted up the sideline to the 17 putting the Gryph's offence in great position once again. However, after picking up nine yards on the first two plays, the offence was stuffed on 3
rd and 1 from the McMaster eight leading to a turnover on downs.
With the score still 12-11 in favour of the Marauders to begin the final quarter, McMaster all of a sudden had opportunity knocking for themselves. A tipped pass from Lal in his own territory wound up being intercepted giving McMaster the ball on the Guelph 26-yard line. Four plays later, the Marauders again punched the ball in from one yard out. Following a successful two-point conversion the Marauders led 20-11. The Gryphons were able to respond with points of their own shortly after as Eric Stranz hit his fourth field goal of the game, this time from 43-yards away.
Unfortunately for Guelph, it was just a few drives later when McMaster was able to create some separation. On a 2nd and 10 from their own 40-yard line, Andreas Dueck beat the Gryphon's all-out blitz finding Jackson Cooling down the seam for a 70-yard catch and run touchdown.
Although Guelph was able to fight back with a late touchdown pass of their own from Lal to Clark Barnes, that was as close as the Gryphons would get after the Marauders recovered the ensuing onside kick.
After all of the dust had settled, Shawn Lal finished the game 23-42 with 302 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Receiver Kiondre Smith racked up all kinds of yards for Guelph making 10 catches for 123 yards while also picking up 246 yards on kick-off and punt returns.
Defensively, the Gryphons had plenty of guys make their presence felt. A.J. Allen, Kosi Onyeka, Josh Campbell and Justin Lauzon all recorded one sack each. Anthony Moretuzzo meanwhile recorded a team high seven tackles while also making a diving interception.
Despite the loss, the rest of the OUA scoreboard broke well enough for the Gryphons to still secure a playoff berth. After all of the tie-breaking steps were followed Guelph came out as the 3rd-seed in the West, which means they will travel to the 2nd-seeded, Laurier Golden Hawks. Meanwhile, in the other Western Semi, the 4th-seed Waterloo Warriors will visit the top-seeded Western Mustangs.
