For Head Coach Stu Lang and the Gryphons football team, nothing short of a Yates Cup will satisfy. After three consecutive 7-1 seasons, no losses on the new turf at Alumni Stadium, and two appearances in the Yates Cup, the Gryphons have established a culture of excellence after years of mediocrity. However, close as they have come, the Lang-era teams have yet to win a championship. This year, the team is arguably the best in the league on paper. No longer the underdogs, and with the core of the team mostly intact, it’s all or nothing. With that said, let’s take a look at the 2015 squad and the long road ahead of them.
The most noticeable changes are at the two most prominent positions: quarterback and tailback. Polarizing quarterback Jazz Lindsey elected not to return and will be replaced by second year James Roberts. Roberts played a few minutes last season, and has shown flashes of brilliance early this year. His work ethic, desire, and presence in the locker room are also very impressive. Joining him under center is Alex Skinner, a former Vanier Cup winning pivot with the Laval Rouge-et-Or. Skinner left the Rouge-et-Or after being suspended by the team following assault allegations, however he put up some fantastic numbers in his time as a starter. He looked impressive in camp, but understandably doesn’t have the playbook fully memorized yet. If Roberts goes down, the Gryphons have an elite QB waiting in the wings.
Star running back Rob Farquaharson has graduated, and the Gryphons will be utilizing the popular running-back-by-committee method to fill his shoes. Leading the attack is third-year CJPP major Johnny Augustine. The Welland product has played a lot over the last two seasons and looks to establish himself as an elite CIS talent. He is averaging over 100 yards per game, and leads the OUA in touchdowns through three games. Brandon Gordon and Daniel Palmer-Salmon look to get the rest of the reps. Gordon is the most elusive back the Gryphons have, and Salmon has the most pure speed. They both give opposing defences very different looks from the physical running of Augustine, and with over 100 yards each so far this year, expect the Gryphons to keep sharing the carries.
The offensive line returns with all of its starters from last season (LT Matt Toppan, LG Zachary Bader-Shamai, C Matt Nesbitt, RG Cameron Wilhelm, and RT Kyle Fraser). C/G Andrew Pickett and freshman T Jaylan Guthrie will also get significant reps. The offensive line will be essential to the success of the run-heavy Gryphon offense, but all starters are in their fourth and fifth years and have at least a full season starting under their belts.
When Alex Charette was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes, fans were wondering who would step up and take his place. Jacob Sarfone’s four touchdowns and 414 yards through three games have answered this question. The athletic London native has been a team standout for the Gryphons, and is embracing his starting role. Veteran A’dre Fraser is still the most dangerous of the Gryphons receiving threats, but if opponents try to shut him down, Roberts has other options.
Defensively, co-ordinator Kevin MacNeill will look to continue to dominate opposing offenses. The Gryphons’ success over the past four years has come mostly because of their elite defence, and they will need to be great in order for the Gryphons to win a Yates. The interior defensive line doesn’t have a lot of depth, but they were able to stifle Dillon Campbell, the best running back they will play all year. Jordan Thompson is back at defensive end after sitting out the 2014 season, and the veteran linebacking core of Andrew Graham, All-Canadian Curtis Newton, and John Rush are arguably the best in the league. The secondary line has a good mix of experience, talent, speed, and hitting power, and above all the ability to intercept the football at any moment. They will need to continue creating turnovers to help out the offense.
As they come into the 2015-16 season, the Gryphons team looks strong and have their eyes on the coveted prize of the Yates Cup.
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The Ontarion publishes independent, student-produced news, opinion, and commentary for University of Guelph students so that they can make informed decisions in their lives. To do this, The Ontarion provides learning opportunities and training in journalism, media production, leadership, board governance, and other aspects of nonprofit news.
The Ontarion is the University of Guelph’s independent student newspaper. It began in 1951 as part of the Ontario Agricultural College and then began to represent the entire University of Guelph once it amalgamated in 1964. The Ontarion incorporated in May 1970 as The Ontarion, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation registered with the province of Ontario.