GUELPH, Ont. – Saturday afternoon at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium, the Gryphon football team suffered a 24-17 loss to the No. 10-ranked Queen's Gaels. Leading the way for Queen's in the win, was running back Jared Chisari, who finished the day with 191 yards rushing on 31 carries. The Gaels built up a 24-9 lead early in the 4th quarter after Gaels backup running back, Anthony Soles, scored his second rushing touchdown of the game to put Queen's up by 15.
 
The Gryphons put together a late comeback attempt, with rookie quarterback Tristan Aboud connecting with receiver Kaine Stevenson for a 8-yard touchdown reception with 2:36 remaining in the 4th quarter. A successful two-point convert followed, trimming the Gryphon deficit to 24-17. Unfortunately for the Gryphons, that would be as close as they would get, as the Queen's defence was able to come up with a pair of late sacks and erase any hopes of a late comeback by the Gryphons. With the 24-17 victory, Queen's improves to 4-3, while the Gryphons fall to 3-4 on the season.

The opening quarter saw the Gryphon offence with strong field position, starting on the Queen's 45 yardline but unable to come up with points after Tristan Aboud's second pass attempt was picked off. The Gryphon defence held the Gaels to just three points following the turnover but another interception on the ensuring drive quickly found the home team down by six. 

Early in the second frame the Gryphons put together a strong drive led by the rushing attack made up of Donavin Milloy, Mason Duvall, and Marshall McCray. The drive was capped off by rookie quarterback McCray running in a 4-yard score for his nation-leading 8th rushing touchdown of the season. A rouge from kicker Gabriel Canabrava on the kickoff made it a one-point game but that would be all the scoring the Gryphons offence would see until halftime. Queen's running back Anthony Soles scored his first of two touchdowns on the Gaels next drive to extend their lead to eight and send the game into the break with a 15-7 score. 

The third quarter saw a defence battle ensure, with both teams surrendering a safety as the only points allowed in the period. The Gryphons outgained the Gaels in total yards on the day (294 for Guelph, 277 for Queen's). The Gryphons defensive effort was led by a pair of former All-Canadians in Devynn Cromwell and Scott Murray. Cromwell totaled a team-high 8.5 tackles including one for a 4-yard loss while Murray, in his first appearance of the 2023 season, disrupted the Queen's offence with 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. The Gryphons allowed just 32 yards in the third to send the game into the fourth quarter with the Gryphons still eying the win.
 
Guelph will look to book a spot in the 2023 OUA playoffs next week when they travel to the nation's capital to face the Carleton Ravens in the final game of the 2023 OUA regular season schedule. Kickoff at Carleton is set for 1pm on Saturday, October 21.