GUELPH, Ont. – Marshall McCray (offence), Jevaun Jacobsen (defence) and Josh Masnaghi (special teams) have been named Gryphon Football 'Players of the Game' following the team's OUA semifinal loss to the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday, November 1.
 

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Marshall McCray (Offence)
 
For the third time this season, Marshall McCray has been named 'Offensive Player of the Game' as the main catalyst in the team's second half comeback against Laurier.  The third-year quarterback was thrust into action, taking over as the starter in the second half and was phenomenal against the Golden Hawks. McCray showed off why he's one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, contributing to all four of his team's second half touchdowns, finishing the game completing 17 of 26 passes for 272 yards and 3 touchdown passes while rushing for 108 yards on the ground on 18 carries with a rushing touchdown. The Niagara Falls native opened the second half scoring, leading his team on a 4 play, 83 yard touchdown drive capped off by dropping one right into the hands of Ethan Garwe for the team's first touchdown of the game. The most impressive pass from McCray would come with 3:30 remaining in the 3rd quarter and his team trailing 27-8, McCray would scramble out of the pocket to his left on 3rd and 9 at the Laurier 47-yard line and fired a strike to Harry Varty for the touchdown. The human kinetics would score on the ensuing two point conversion, making two defenders miss to cut the deficit down to 11. McCray continued his mastery on the ground in short yardage, leaping into the end zone to cut the deficit down to 14. McCray would cut the deficit down to a one score game with 1:10 remaining in the game when he hit Harry Varty for the 22-yard touchdown on the post route.
 

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Jevaun Jacobsen (Defence)
 
Jevaun Jacobsen is the 'Defensive Player of the Game' for the second time this season. The third-year linebacker played a huge role in the team's comeback effort holding the Golden Hawks to 10 second half points. Throughout the season, Jacobsen has been an integral part of the defence and his performance in the OUA semifinals was no exception. The psychology major finished the game as the game's leading tackler with 7.0, making 5 solo tackles and assisting on 4 others. The Burnaby, BC native and the Gryphons came up with two important 4th quarter stops forcing the Laurier to punt on their final two possessions of the game, giving his team a chance on their final possession of the game to potentially tie up the game. Jacobsen and the Guelph run defence was exceptional once again, limited the Golden Hawks to 120 rushing yards.
 

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Josh Masnaghi (Special Teams)
 
Fifth-year fullback Josh Masnaghi is the 'Special Teams Player of the Game'. The arts major was outstanding in the OUA semifinals in his blocking assignment. The Burlington native was physical in his blocking on kickoff returns and was great in protection on punt coverage. Masnaghi also racked up a solo tackle in the game. Masnaghi also contributed on offence on his team's first successful two point conversion. With Marshall McCray scrambling out to his right, Masnaghi leaked out to the right corner of the end zone as he was able to make the reception and toe tap his feet in the end zone for the two pointer.
 

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2025 Gryphon Football Players of the Game
 
OUA Quarterfinal at Western
OFFENCE: Isaiah Smith (18 carries, 111 yards, TD)
DEFENCE: Braeden MacDougall (4.5 tackles, 4 solo)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Ryan Tharby (downfield coverage forcing game-winning rouge)
 
Week 9 vs York
OFFENCE: Marshall McCray (9 carries, 81 yards, 2 TD; 12 yd TD reception)
DEFENCE: Andre Thompson (1.5 tackles, forced fumble, INT)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Anakin Guthrie (128 yd missed FG TD return)
 
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)