In the biggest upset of the season, the Queen’s Gaels avenged last year’s 66-0 defeat with a 23-15 win over the visiting Guelph Gryphons on Oct. 3. The Gaels led the game from start to finish in a windy affair dominated by turnovers, including three James Roberts interceptions in the red zone and several fumbles that the Gryphons were able to recover.
“They are a good team and they are getting better every game. We knew this wouldn’t be easy,” said offensive coordinator Todd Galloway. With the loss, the Gryphons lose the opportunity for the first perfect season in team history and likely a chance at hosting the Yates Cup, while the win for Queen’s puts them in a great position for a playoff berth.
In the first quarter, the Gaels backed Guelph up early, forcing them to concede a single point, and added another on a missed field goal, before Jonah Pataki rumbled in for the game’s first touchdown to make it 9-0 Gaels. The Gryphons marched the field three times in the second quarter, but they only came away with 7 points.
In the second half, Guelph once again made it down to the Queen’s one-yard line, however a fumbled snap and an incomplete pass on third down killed the drive. Queen’s struck first with a massive 108-yard touchdown to Matteo Del Brocco, bringing the score to 16-7. After another red zone interception by the Gryphons to end the third, the team rallied to make things interesting in the final quarter.
Johnny Augustine busted free for a 25-yard score, and the Gryphons defence pinned the Gaels into giving up a safety to make the game 16-15, but it would be as close as they would come. Second year pivot Nate Hobbs dumped a screen pass over a wall of Gryphon blitzers, which Pataki would take to the one and finish a play later. Guelph had a few chances to come back, however after the scoring drive to open the fourth, the Gryphons did not get a single first down.
The Gryphons defence had their worst game of the year as well. Blitz after blitz hammered the Gaels, but they only came up with two sacks. Hobbs was able to consistently find receivers open behind the blitzes. The Gryphons offensive line gave up four sacks and six tackles for losses, though they were able to consistently open up holes for Augustine and Gordon. Guelph’s usually excellent special teams got them in field position trouble early, and never provided a spark the team desperately needed.
There are a number of positives to take from the game. The Gryphon run game was dominant, with Augustine racking up a season high 179 yards and both of his team’s touchdowns. Brandon Gordon saw the most work of his season with 15 carries and 76 yards. The Gryphons used a lot of two and three tailback formations in the face of gale force winds. Guelph had more offensive plays, more time of possession, and very few penalties compared to the Gaels, but just couldn’t find a way to convert their red zone opportunities.
The Western Mustangs have essentially clinched first place, even if they lose to McMaster. It wouldn’t come as a shock if they rest a few big guns in that game now. Guelph is still in a good position for a first round bye, although they cannot afford to drop another game like this. In the end, this may be the wakeup call the team needed. While the upset is shocking, the Gryphons are a much better team than they appeared to be on Saturday, and still have a very realistic shot at a Yates Cup if they can address some of the mistakes on film.
The team is off next week before a final home game against the 1-4 Windsor Lancers on Oct. 17 at Alumni Stadium.