KINGSTON, Ont.- Points were at a premium Friday night in Kingston when the No. 7 nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons and the No. 6 nationally ranked Queen's Gaels got together just ahead of the Thanksgiving weekend. Perhaps, to be expected with two of the top three scoring defences in the OUA on the same field, only 22 points were scored. Unfortunately for the Gryphons they had only eight of those 22 points as they fell 14-8 dropping their record to 1-2.
Despite it being in a losing effort, the Gryphon's defence was flying around all night causing all kinds of problems for the Queen's attack. Registering seven sacks, two interceptions and a fumble, numerous Gryphon's defenders had a tremendous day at the office.
Leading the charge for Guelph was Hamilton, Ontario product
Kristian Stewart, who registered 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Also recording a sack on Friday was
Anthony Moretuzzo, which he added to his stat line that already included an interception from earlier in the contest.
On the offensive side of the ball, Guelph had their moments but were never fully able to convert. As the Gryphon's continue to teach their young quarterbacks on the fly, the Gryphs showed signs of what they can be capable of, however, they just seemed to be a play short on Friday. 
Making his first start since leading the Gryphons to a 23-21 victory over the Western Mustangs in the season opener, Gryphon's quarterback Shawn Lal got the start from Head Coach Ryan Sheahan. However, during the first half, DeAndre Rose also saw snaps at quarterback before taking the reigns in the second half with Lal believed to be battling injury.
Playing majority of the game, Rose finished 8/19 with 112 yards and two interceptions. Lal, meanwhile, went 7/15 for 116 yards. On the other side, Queen's signal-caller James Keenan went 18/24 for 221 yards and two interceptions.
Getting the ball to start the game, the Gryphons quickly went on the attack. On just their second play from scrimmage, Lal unloaded a 49-yard bomb to Vyshonne Janusas getting the Gryphs deep into Queen's territory. After the drive stalled though, Eric Stranz's 31-yard field goal attempt bounced off the upright and the Gryphons came away empty.
After multiple two and outs were exchanged between the two sides, the Gryphon's defence made their first statement. Rushing the passer, Kristian Stewart not only sacked Keenan but also forced a fumble that linebacker Jared Beeksma would dive on to give Guelph the ball near midfield. The Gryphons would then pick up 49 yards on the next four plays, but the drive would come up short of the end zone. This time however, Stranz made no mistake from 20-yards away giving Guelph a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
With the Guelph defence having held the Gael's offence in check through their first six drives, Queen's was finally able to put something together late in the opening half. Driving from their own 28-yard line to the Gryphon's 10, reigning OUA Offensive Player of the Week Rasheed Tucker finished off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run putting the Gaels up 7-3.
Trying to respond with points, the Gryphons were able to get into Queen's territory but had to settle for a 53-yard field goal attempt from Stranz. Although the big-legged kicker had the distance, his attempt just sailed to the right. The score then remained 7-3 heading into halftime.
Starting the second half with the ball, the Gaels put together their biggest drive of the game, and arguably the most important drive of the game overall. After James Keenan scrambled around twice to create a couple of off-schedule big gains, Queen's then methodically marched the ball down the field before Tucker ran in his second touchdown of the game. This time from seven yards out.
Now trailing 14-3, the Gryphons knew they needed to get something rolling, and they did. Using both the running and passing game, Guelph was able to quickly move the ball across midfield and down to the Gael's 40-yard line. After a pair of incompletions though, the Gryphs were held to a 47-yard Stranz field goal which pulled Guelph back within one score at 14-6.
As both defences continued to dominate, the Gryphons looked like they might be getting something going. Halfway through the fourth quarter, Guelph picked up a pair of first downs before gaining 35 yards on a screen pass from Rose to Kiondre Smith. Unfortunately, Rose was intercepted on the next play at the Queen's 15-yard line. However, after their defence got another stop, it was the next drive for the Gryphons that seemed to be even more promising. Starting on the Queen's 44-yard line after a big punt return from Kiondre Smith, the Gryphons quickly moved the ball into the red zone. Then on 2nd and goal from the 13, Rose found Smith who got tackled just inches short of the goal line. Looking to punch it in on 3rd down, the Gryphs were denied, when a hand-off to Kwame Osei got stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
Showing no quit, the Gryph's D held strong deep in the Queen's end forcing the Gaels to a 3rd and 1 from their own 10. The Gaels elected to line up in a punt formation, run around the end zone to kill as much time as possible before conceding the safety.
With 1:12 to play, that meant Guelph would get the ball back once more now trailing only by six, 14-8. Starting the drive on their own 47, the Gryphons were unable to get anything rolling on the drive as three straight incompletions ultimately led to a turnover on downs and the Gaels kneeling out the clock.
Despite the result, there is certainly plenty of excitement to be had in seeing the potential of the offence which continues to show flashes. Meanwhile, the defence continues to show they are top class.
The Gryphons will now turn the page on Friday's defeat and head back home to Alumni Stadium where their next two games will take place. First up, Guelph will play host to the Waterloo Warriors on October 16th, before hosting Toronto on October 23rd.
