GUELPH, Ont. –
Isaiah Smith (offence),
Yunus Larry (defence) and
Denver Beazley (special teams) have been named Gryphon Football 'Players of the Game' following the team's Week 2 loss to No. 4-ranked Western Mustangs on Sunday, August 31.
Isaiah Smith (Offence)
Isaiah Smith is the team's 'Offensive Player of the Game' following an impressive showing as a runner and receiver. Smith, the third-year running back finished the game with 168 all-purpose yards and found the end zone twice. As a runner, the Burlington native looked really good in his 12 carries, rushing for 88 yards including
a short touchdown run in the 3rd quarter. The human kinetics was equally as impressive as a pass catcher making 3 receptions for 80 yards. Smith was pivotal in the screen game for the Gryphons offence, providing an outlet for
Tristan Aboud on a
56-yard catch and run in the first quarter. Smith also caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter as he
caught the screen pass from 16-yards out and with a little help from his linemen, took it into the end zone.
Yunus Larry (Defence)
Fourth-year linebacker
Yunus Larry is this week's 'Defensive Player of the Game' after making an impact in the Gryphons front seven against the Mustangs. The economics major was one of the key figures on the defence on Sunday night, finishing with a team high 5.5 tackles, 4 solo tackles. The Hamilton native also recorded his first sack of the season as he did a good job of containment of the edge and didn't bite on the play action fake as he chased down Evan Hillock in the backfield for the sack.
Denver Beazley (Special Teams)
The Gryphons 'Special Teams Player of the Game' is fourth-year linebacker
Denver Beazley. The Watertown, Ontario native provides versatility on the team's four core special teams units as a key veteran. Beazley is a valuable member on special teams with his ability to matchup against quality players on all four units. The sport and event management major performed well against Western as he recorded an assisted tackle on kickoff coverage.
The Gryphons (0-2) will look to get into the win column as they're back on the road for a Week 3 matchup with the Windsor Lancers (0-1) on Saturday night (Sept. 6). Kickoff from Windsor's Alumni Stadium is scheduled for 7pm, with the game broadcast live online at oua.tv.
2025 Gryphon Football Players of the Game
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)
