Ferraro’s last second field goal spoils Laurier homecoming

After being held scoreless for the entire second half, running back Robert Farquharson of Niagara Falls, Ont., who finished the game with 178 yards rushing, and the Gryphons drove 56 yards on 10 plays to set up the game-winning score.

“It’s always exciting when Homecoming comes around but we would have liked to have gotten a win,” said quarterback Steve Fantham of London, Ont., after t he game. “We just have to forget [this game] now and get ready for Thursday.”

“We’re extremely disappointed,” said head coach Gary Jeffries echoing Fantham’s sentiments. “I thought we played the first 20 minutes as well as we could play. Our kids played our hearts out and Im proud of this group.”
In what was a hard fought game by both teams, the Hawks jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the opening half thanks to a 37-yard field goal from Ronnie Pfeffer of Kitchener, Ont., followed by a 48 yard touchdown reception by Josh Pirie of Cambridge, Ont.

Despite a raucous Homecoming crowd enjoying the advantage, the Gryphons were not dismayed. Consecutive touchdown passes by quarterback Jazz Lindsey of Markham, Ont., to Michael Fortino of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Saxon Lindsey of Markham, Ont., put Guelph in front 15-10 midway through the second quarter. Ferraro would add a single a nd a 35-yard field goal before the half to give the Gryphons a 19-10 advantage.

After giving up 18 points in the second quarter, the Hawks defence stepped up their game and shutdown Guelph for much of the second half, allowing their offence to get them back into the game. Fantham, who threw for 320 yards in the contest, drove Laurier into field goal range twice in the third quarter and once again in the fourth. Pfeffer would make good on the attempts from 28, 33, and 32 yards respectively to tie the score at 19.

However, Farquharson and the Gryphons could not be stopped late as another Laurier second-half comeback just fell short.

Aside from Farquharson, Jazz Lindsey also stood out for the Gryphons finishing the game with 247 yards passing and two touchdowns. His favourite target was Fortino who had 96 yards and three catches to go along with his second quarter major.
Pirie had an outstanding performance for the second straight week, finishing with game with 118 total yards (28 rushing, 90 receiving) and his third touchdown in two games.

With just three games remaining in the regular season, Laurier will wrap up their home schedule on Thursday night when they welcome their cross-town rivals, the Waterloo Warriors to University Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

NOTES: Saturday’s win by the Gryphons marked their first regular season victory against Laurier since 2002 when they defeated the Hawks 15-14…Turnovers once again hurt the Hawks in the game as they were charged with three interceptions and a fumble, losing the turnover battle 4-0…defensive back Carlos Naranjo of Whitby, Ont., added to his knockdown totals as he now has seven on the season…Drew Galpin of Kitchener, Ont., starred again on defence, finishing as the games top tackler with 7.5 total tackles…Attendance at the game was 9,213

Guelph Sports Info

Gryphons win four straight with 22-19 win over Laurier
WATERLOO, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphon football team spoiled the Laurier Golden Hawks homecoming today with a 22-19 win in Waterloo to advance to 4-1 on the season.  The Laurier Golden Hawks fall to 2-3.
The win marks the Gryphons first regular season victory against Laurier since 2002 when they defeated the Hawks 15-14.
Gryphon second year kicker Daniel Ferraro (Mississauga, Ont.) hit a nine-yard field goal with just 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Running back Rob Farquharson (Niagara Falls, Ont.), finished the game with 178 yards rushing on 22 carries, and helped set up the game-winning score following 56 yards on 10 plays drive down the field.
Second-year quarterback Jazz Lindsey (Markham, Ont.) also stood out for the Gryphons finishing the game 20 completions on 32 attempts for 247 yards passing and two touchdowns. His favourite target was Michael Fortino who had 96 yards and three catches and a touchdown.
In what was a hard fought game by both teams, the Hawks jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the opening half thanks to a 37-yard field goal from Ronnie Pfeffer of Kitchener, Ont., followed by a 48 yard touchdown reception by Josh Pirie of Cambridge, Ont.

Despite a raucous Homecoming crowd enjoying the advantage, the Gryphons were not dismayed. Consecutive touchdown passes by quarterback Jazz Lindsey of Markham, Ont., to Michael Fortino of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Saxon Lindsey of Markham, Ont., put Guelph in front 15-10 midway through the second quarter. Ferraro would add a single and a 35-yard field goal before the half to give the Gryphons a 19-10 advantage.

After giving up 18 points in the second quarter, the Hawks defence stepped up their game and shutdown Guelph for much of the second half, allowing their offence to get them back into the game. Steve Fantham, who threw for 320 yards in the contest, drove Laurier into field goal range twice in the third quarter and once again in the fourth. Pfeffer would make good on the attempts from 28, 33, and 32 yards respectively to tie the score at 19.

However, Farquharson and the Gryphons could not be stopped late as another Laurier second-half comeback just fell short.

The Gryphons return home next weekend for a game against the CIS. No. 6 Western Mustangs on Thanksgiving weekend (Saturday, October 6).  Kick off will be at 1:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.