GUELPH, Ont. - Saturday afternoon (September 23, 2023) the Guelph Gryphons football team will take the field at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium in Week 5 of the 2023 OUA football season, as the Gryphons (2-2) play host to the York Lions (0-4) in the 2023 edition of the University of Guelph Homecoming football game.
Location: Alumni Stadium (Guelph, ON)
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 1pm
Tickets: gryphons.ca/tickets
How to watch: oua.tv and
RogerTV Cable 20
Live updates on X (Twitter): @guelph_gryphons
The Gryphons (2-2) enter Saturday's game coming off a hard-fought road win over the McMaster Marauders (1-3) on September 16 in Hamilton, where the Gryphons earned a 21-13 victory. The win came thanks to some impressive defensive play and timely offensive drives by the Gryphons. The defensive effort was led by rookie linebacker,
Jevaun Jacobsen, who was named defensive player of the game in his first career start, after he led the team in tackles (10 total) and picked up an interception with the Gryphons trailing by one late in the 4th quarter. U SPORTS All-Canadian defensive back,
Devynn Cromwell, also came up with another impact play for the team when he made the defence's first interception of the afternoon to set up a Gryphon score.
Offensively, the Gryphons and Marauders exchanged several short drives ending in punts, but the U of G team was able to capitalized when it mattered, including on their final offensive drive. Running backs
Donavin Milloy and
Craig Sherrington rushed for long gains to set up a
Tristan Aboud to
Vyshonne Janusas touchdown to seal the game. The win was not only a significant one for the Gryphons playoff hopes, but also in the record books as Guelph had not taken a road win against McMaster since the 2007 OUA quarterfinals.
The Gryphons will look to continue their winning ways against a struggling York Lions team that has been outscored 188-32 after four games in 2023. The last time the two teams met was in the lone preseason game of the 2022 season when the Gryphons put on strong performances in all three phases of the exhibition match and took a 68-0 victory. Although they face a very different Gryphon team than last season, the team is primed for a strong day. Gryphons running back
Donavin Milloy will continue to carry the load out of the back field after teammate, and 2022 OUA Rookie of the Year,
Isaiah Smith suffered an injury in Week 1 of the 2023 season. Since taking over starters duties, Milloy ranks in the top 3 in the conference in rushing yards per game, total rushing yards, and yards per carry, which he leads the OUA with 8.7.
Tristan Aboud will continue to spearhead the offence after another efficient performance last week that saw the rookie quarterback go 18-for-24 for 150 yards and a touchdown. Marsahll McCray should also see plenty of opportunity to show case his big-play ability in the redzone and short-yardage situations. A win on Saturday would mark the 12th straight Gryphon victory over the Lions, with the last Gryphon loss to York coming over 15 years ago.
Following Saturday's Homecoming matchup, the Gryphons will head on the road, traveling to the University of Waterloo to take on the Warriors on September 30. The Gryphons will then head into their bye week before finishing off the 2023 OUA football season against the Queen's Gaels (Oct. 14 in Guelph) and Carleton Ravens (Oct. 21 in Ottawa).
