GUELPH, Ont. –
Marshall McCray (offence),
Andre Thompson (defence) and
Anakin Guthrie (special teams) have been named Gryphon Football 'Players of the Game' following the team's Week 9 34-27 victory over the York Lions in the team's regular season finale on Saturday, October 18.
Marshall McCray (Offence)
For the second straight week,
Marshall McCray is the team's 'Offensive Player of the Game' following another dynamic game from the third-year dual-threat quarterback. The human kinetics major rushed for 81 yards on 9 carries as he found the end zone three times in his team's win over York. McCray on his first touchdown of the day, started his run to his right before he made a cut back to left as
he wasn't going to be denied a touchdown, carrying a couple of Lions into the end zone. The Niagara Falls native would find the end zone once again, early in the 4th quarter when he took the snap from midfield and found an opening to his left as he turned on the jets and ran away from the defence for a 52-yard touchdown run.
Marshall McCray's most important and impressive touchdown would come late in the 4th quarter in a 27-27 game, McCray would hand the ball off to
Kanye Nethersole who'd swing it out to him on a pass as McCray raced to the pylon and leaped into the end zone to score the game-winning touchdown that would send the Gryphons to the playoffs. McCray finishes his regular season with 373 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns (3rd in OUA). McCray also has completed 8 passes for 138 yards for 2 touchdowns.
Andre Thompson (Defence)
Andre Thompson was creating havoc all game long as he earns this week's 'Defensive Player of the Game' honours. Thompson, the first-year defensive lineman finished the game with 1.5 total tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. One of the best defensive plays of the season would come from the London native when his teammate made a big hit to jar the ball loose as it would fall into Thompson's hands for an interception.
The pick wasn't enough for Thompson as he ran it back 21 yards before he was tackled for his first career interception. The sociology major in his first season with the Gryphons finishes the regular season with 16.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
Anakin Guthrie (Special Teams)
Anakin Guthrie has been named 'Special Teams Player of the Game' after providing the spark his team needed in the return game. With his team trailing 8-0 in the second quarter and the Lions attempting a long field goal, Guthrie would provide another magical moment in the return game. Parked at the back of the end zone, the defensive back fielded the missed field goal a yard or two from the end line and returned it to his left. Once the defensive back got out of the end zone and past the first wave of Lions, he had nothing but green turf ahead of him as
he returned it all the way back the other way for 128 yards for a touchdown. The sociology major finished the game with 5 total returns for 237 total yards.
The Gryphon football team returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 25 in London where they will take on the Western Mustangs in an OUA quarterfinal matchup.
2025 Gryphon Football Players of the Game
Week 7 vs Queen's
OFFENCE:
Marshall McCray (11 carries, 57 yards, 2 TD)
DEFENCE:
Deemetrius Masuka (4 tackles, 3 solo, INT)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Joseph Younes (solo tackle)
Week 6 at Carleton
OFFENCE:
Willem Arseneau (3 receptions, 113 yds, 2 TD)
DEFENCE:
Gianni Green (4 INT, 61 yd interception return TD)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Max MacErollo (solo and assisted tackle)
Week 5 at McMaster
OFFENCE:
Willem Arseneau (3 receptions, 48 yds, TD)
DEFENCE:
Deemetrius Masuka (6 tackles, 5 solo, sack)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Nicholas Metron (solo tackle)
Week 4 vs Ottawa
OFFENCE:
Jarod Tessier (8 receptions, 156 yds)
DEFENCE:
Yunus Larry (6 assisted tackles, 65 yd interception return TD)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Matthew Stam (103 yd kickoff return TD)
Week 3 at Windsor
OFFENCE:
Donavin Milloy (15 carries, 137 yds, 2 TD)
DEFENCE:
Anakin Guthrie (solo tackle, 2 INT)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Jackson Leshuk (4 tackles, 3 solo)
Week 2 at Western
OFFENCE:
Isaiah Smith (12 carries, 88 yds, TD; 3 receptions, 80 yds, TD)
DEFENCE:
Yunus Larry (5.5 tackles, 4 solo, sack)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Denver Beazley (assisted tackle)
Week 1 vs Laurier
OFFENCE:
Tristan Aboud (27-40, 407 yds, 2 TD; 9 carries, 96 yds, 2 TD)
DEFENCE:
Jevaun Jacobsen (4 tackles, 6 assisted, sack)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Matthew Stam (4 returns, 98 yds)
