GUELPH, Ont. –- Football fans in the City of Guelph were treated to summer-like conditions on Thursday night (June 1), with the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium serving as the host venue of CFL preseason action for a second consecutive year. The reigning Grey Cup champion, Toronto Argonauts, wrapped up their 2023 stay on University of Guelph campus by welcoming the Ottawa REDBLACKS to Guelph in matchup which served as a final tune-up for both teams prior to the start of the 2023 Canadian Football League regular season.
With 2,230 fans in attendance at Alumni Stadium, it was the Ottawa REDBLACKS who left Guelph with a 34-23 victory over the Argos, in a game that provided fans in attendance with plenty of big plays on both sides of the ball. For the defending Grey Cup champs, Thursday night's game marked the end of a three-week stay in Guelph, with the Argos players and staff once again calling the University of Guelph home for the team's 2023 training camp and preseason. The 18-time Grey Cup champions are also set to return to Guelph in 2024.
Argos fans who made their way to Alumni Stadium on Thursday night were given plenty to cheer about right out of the gates, with the Argos scoring a touchdown on their opening possession of the game.
The Argonauts new starting quarterback in 2023, Chad Kelly, made his 2023 debut under centre for the Argos. The Ole Miss product, and nephew of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, sat out Toronto's first preseason game last Saturday (May 27) at Hamilton. This week, Kelly suited up and impressed in limited action, finishing the game 4-for-5 for 105 yards, with several impressive completions over the middle to receiver Markeith Ambles. The Argos opening drive was capped off with a touchdown run from 2022 CFL East Division All-Star running back, A.J. Ouellette. Ouellette, a former NCAA standout with the Ohio University Bobcats, punched it in from 13-yards out to put the Argos up 7-0.
However, the Argos early lead would be short lived, with the REDBLACKS striking back with some big plays in the first half, highlighted by a 57-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Tyrie Adams to receiver Siaosi Mariner to help Ottawa take a 20-10 lead into the locker room at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Argos would trim the deficit to 20-17 thanks to an electrifying 84-yard punt return touchdown from Toronto rookie, B.J. Byrd. But that would be as close as the Argos would get, with the REDBLACKS restoring their 10-point lead on a touchdown pass from Dustin Crum to Keaton Bruggeling. Crum would add a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for Ottawa.
The Guelph Gryphons were represented on both rosters by a pair of former U of G standouts in Argos free safety Royce Metchie and REDBLACKS offensive lineman Eric Starczala.
"It is honestly amazing to be back," said Metchie post-game. "I have seen so many familiar faces. To be back where I started, it's phenomenal." Metchie, who suited up for the Gryphons from 2014 to 2017 and graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in sociology, is coming off of a sensational 2022 season with the Argos, where he recorded a career-high 72 tackles and 2 interceptions during the regular season before continuing to impress in the playoffs and helping the Argos capture the Grey Cup with a 24-23 win over Winnipeg.
Eric Starczala was a Gryphon from 2014 to 2019, and was twice named an OUA Second Team All-Star before graduating from U of G with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Now, the 6'5", 315 lbs Cambridge native is competing for a spot on the Ottawa REDBLACKS o-line and played the entire four quarters on Thursday night, beginning with the first few series at right guard before handling centre duties the rest of the night. "The best part about being a Gryphon was the family atmosphere," said Starczala. "I miss all the guys, it was great to catch up with Royce after the game. I got to see a lot of friends and family today, with my mom and dad and aunt and uncle here tonight, as well as my old roommates. It just feels great to be back. It brings back a lot of memories."
With the CFL preseason now in the books, the Ottawa REDBLACKS will get set to kick off their 2023 regular season on June 10 in Montreal when they visit the Alouettes. Meanwhile, the defending Grey Cup champion Argonauts will have to wait an extra week, with Toronto having a Week 1 bye. The Argos will open up their 2023 campaign at home at BMO Field on Sunday, June 18 when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
