Hawks seek third straight win on Homecoming

Playoff implications on the line as Laurier battles Guelph

WATERLOO – With two straight wins under their belts, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (2-2) return to University Stadium for their Homecoming game against the Guelph Gryphons (3-1) on Saturday afternoon.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Knight-Newbrough Field (TV: RogersTV, Webcast: Hawk TV Live, Audiocast: RadioLaurier.com).

With a packed house expected at University Stadium, the Hawks will be looking to run their winning streak to three games after picking up a 35-27 victory over Ottawa last week on the road. In that contest, quarterback Steve Fantham of London, Ont., who was making his first career start with the Hawks, threw for 218 yards and four touchdowns to lead Laurier. Running back Tyrrel Wilson of Hamilton, along with fullbacks Josh Pirie of Cambridge, Ont., and Isaac Dell of Niagara Falls, Ont., also starred for Laurier, combining for three touchdowns and 208 total yards on the afternoon.

Defensively, the Hawks limited one of the OUA’s top rushing teams to just 74 yards on the ground as Drew Galpin of Kitchener, Ont., and Asante Mizan of Brooklyn, N.Y., combined to shut down the Gee-Gees’ ‘double-wing’ offence.

Meanwhile, the Gryphons are riding a win streak of their own as the club has won three in a row following their season opening defeat at the hands of the No. 1 McMaster Marauders. Last week, Guelph squeaked out a 31-29 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues in their Homecoming game. After taking a 15 point lead thanks to a Dillon Dimitroff (Burlington, Ont.) touchdown with 3:34 left in the fourth quarter, the Gryphons allowed two late touchdowns and only pulled off the win after Toronto failed to convert on a two-point convert with eight seconds remaining. Quarterback Jazz Lindsey of Markham, Ont., led Guelph in the game, throwing for 284 yards and two touchdowns while adding 18 rushing yards.

With Guelph sitting in a tie for second and the Hawks tied for fifth in the OUA standings, Saturday’s game could have major implications on the playoffs for both squads. Guelph will be looking to move one step closer to hosting a home playoff game while the Hawks will be looking to put some separation between themselves and the teams behind them in the standings.

Laurier will be hoping recent success on Homecoming, as well as an impressive regular season win streak against the Gryphons, continues this weekend. The Hawks have won seven of their last eight Homecoming games, including a 36-2 victory over Guelph two years ago and they have also won nine straight regular season meetings with Guelph dating back to 2002.

The Hawks success on Homecoming can be directly tied to the passion th at head coach Gary Jeffries holds for this day. Regularly comparing it to his favourite time of the year next to Christmas, Jeffries feels that the people in attendance make all the difference to his team’s performance. “Homecoming is a wonderful time,” says Jeffries. “For me, it’s my 43rd consecutive homecoming and to see all the players I’ve coached come back with their children, its extremely special.”

Presale tickets for Saturday’s game have been sold out since last week but a limited number will be made available to fans on game day at the box office at University Stadium.

NOTES: Saturday’s game will also feature one lucky fan having the chance to win $40,000 in Laurier’s ‘Roll Away with 40K’ promotion, sponsored by GradVantages…Galpin currently ranks seventh overall in the OUA in total tackles with 25…defensive back Carlos Naranjo of Whitby, Ont., is tied for first in the conference in pas s breakups with six…Laurier owns the league’s stingiest rush defence as they have allowed just 98.2 yards rushing per game…the Hawks owns an all-time record of 41-13-0 against Guelph

(Photo Credit:  Trevor Mahoney)

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