GUELPH, Ont. – The Gryphon football team came up just short on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 24) at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium, losing 27-23, in a hard-fought matchup against the No. 6-ranked Windsor Lancers in the final game of the 2026 regular season schedule. With the loss, the Gryphons finish the regular season with a 4-4 record, while the Windsor Lancers finish the season with a 6-2 record. The Gryphons and Lancers will do it all over again in one week's time, with the two teams set to meet once again in next week's OUA quarterfinal playoff game in Windsor.
The Windsor Lancers used a 20-point, 3rd quarter to propel them to a 27-23 road win over the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday afternoon in Guelph. The Lancers had two defensive touchdowns in the 3rd quarter from linebacker Derek Anderson, one on a pick-six, another on a recovered fumble scoop and score, giving Windsor a 20-8 lead. The Gryphons lost starting quarterback
Tristan Aboud to injury early in the game, but
Marshall McCray would provide a spark in relief. McCray, a fourth-year dual-threat QB from Niagara Falls, would account for four total touchdowns (1 passing, 3 rushing), with McCray's final touchdown of the game coming midway through the 4th quarter to put Guelph in the lead, 23-20. But the Lancers would secure the win, with a long touchdown drive late in regulation, capped off by a Kareame Cotton 1-yard QB sneak touchdown to give the Lancers a 27-23 victory.
The Gryphon defence impressed throughout the day, limiting an explosive Windsor offence, including forcing Lancers QB Kareame Cotton into a pair of interceptions, with
Kyle Simon-Guerin and
Nicholas Metron both coming up with INT's. Both teams were held under 200 yards passing, respectively, in a day that was dictated by the defences.
The Gryphons and Lancers will now meet in the OUA football playoffs for the first time since 2013, when Guelph defeated Windsor to advance to the semifinals. Kickoff in Windsor is scheduled for 1pm on Saturday, October 31 at the University of Windsor.
Final Playoff Seeding – 2026 OUA Football
1 --- Queen's Gaels (7-1)
** first round bye **
2 --- Western Mustangs (6-2)
3 --- McMaster Marauders (6-2)
4 --- Windsor Lancers (6-2)
5 --- Guelph Gryphons (4-4)
6 --- Ottawa Gee-Gees (4-4)
7 --- Laurier Golden Hawks (4-4)
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8 --- Waterloo Warriors (3-5) did not make playoffs
9 --- York Lions (3-5) did not make playoffs
10 --- Carleton Ravens (1-7) did not make playoffs
11 --- Toronto Varsity Blues (0-8) did not make playoffs
OUA Quarterfinal Matchups - Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026
(7) Laurier Golden Hawks at (2) Western Mustangs
(6) Ottawa Gee-Gees at (3) McMaster Marauders
(5) Guelph Gryphons at (4) Windsor Lancers
(1) Queen's Gaels = first round bye
