GUELPH, Ont. -
Donavin Milloy (offence),
Jevaun Jacobsen (defence), and
Nicholas Metron (special teams) have been named Gryphon Football "Players of the Game" following the team's hard-fought 21-13 win against the McMaster Marauders on Saturday, September 16, 2023 in Hamilton.
Donavin Milloy (Offence)
Gryphon second-year running back
Donavin Milloy earns his second 'Player of the Game'
nod of the season after another standout performance on the ground for the U of G football team. The Hamilton native once again made a significant impact for the Gryphons on game day, this time against the McMaster Marauders when he carried the ball 11 times for 106 yards. Milloy's most impactful play came when the Gryphons had a chance to put the game out of reach. With the U of G offence getting the ball back with under two minutes to play and leading by one, Milloy found space, running for a 32-yard gain, his longest of the day to set up the game-winning touchdown. Since taking over the starting role due to an injury to
Isaiah Smith, Milloy has excelled in his expanded role, averaging 8.7 yards-per-carry, besting all other running backs in the conference. He is also averaging 91.0 yards-per-game and has 364 total yards on the ground, which both rank third in the OUA. Milloy will have plenty of opportunities to continue his impressive season next week, when the Gryphons host the York Lions who allow a conference-most 274 rushing yards-per-game.
Jevaun Jacobsen (Defence)
Rookie
Jevaun Jacobsen is named the 'Defensive Player of the Game' for the Gryphons after a sensational performance in his first career OUA game. Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 linebacker from Burnaby, British Columbia,
made his first start for the Gryphons after being sidelined to start the season with an injury. Jacobsen did not disappoint, making play after play for the Gryphons in a game where it seemed as though the next score could be the last. His first impact play came early in the second quarter when the arts major made back-to-back solo tackles on second and third down to force a McMaster turnover. Jacobsen would finish the day with a team-high 10 tackles which included 9 solo, 2 assisted, and one for a 5-yard Marauder loss. He would come up with another clutch play late in the 4th quarter with McMaster driving. On 1st-and-10 at midfield, with the Gryphons leading by just one point, Jacobsen made a perfect catch in coverage to give the Gryphons their second interception of the game, a turnover which led to a Gryphon touchdown to seal the memorable road win. In just one game played, Jacobsen has already established himself as one of the best playmakers on a talented Gryphon defence.
Nicholas Metron (Special Teams)
Another Gryphon rookie linebacker takes home "Player of the Game" honours in
Nicholas Metron, who earns the recognition for his play on special teams this past weekend. Metron, a 6-foot-2 London native, made an early play to give the Gryphons a boost in momentum. After the U of G defence forced a McMaster two-and-out and punt, Metron would fly up the middle and through Marauder blockers to come up with a blocked punt, giving the Gryphon offence possession deep in McMaster territory. It was the first blocked punt of the season for the Gryphons and first of the commerce major's young career, with Metron making his fourth U SPORTS football start. Metron also added to his day, picking up a solo tackle later on in the game.
2023 GRYPHON FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE GAME
GAME 4 @ McMASTER
OFFENCE:
Donavin Milloy (10 carries, 106 yards, 9.6 yards/carry)
DEFENCE:
Jevaun Jacobsen (10 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Nicholas Metron (1 blocked punt, 1 tackle)
GAME 3 VS LAURIER
OFFENCE:
Kaine Stevenson (6 receptions, 51 yards)
DEFENCE:
Devynn Cromwell (2 assisted tackles)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Gabriel Canabrava (2-2 FGs, 1-1 PATs)
GAME 2 @ WINDSOR
OFFENCE:
Donavin Milloy (9 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD, 12.7 yards/carry)
DEFENCE:
Devynn Cromwell (2 tackles, 2 pass break-ups)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kyle Simon-Guerin (3 tackles, 4 returns, 96 return yards)
GAME 1 VS TORONTO
OFFENCE:
Tristan Aboud (19-26, 200 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 59 rushing yards)
DEFENCE:
Anthony Moretuzzo (7 tackles, 2 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 TD)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Jack Cobb (4.5 tackles)
