Gillis leads Varsity Blues to victory over Gryphons (VIDEO)

Andrew Gillis rushed for two touchdowns in leading the Varsity Blues football team to a 21-12 victory over the Guelph Gryphons in their 2011 home opener on Saturday, September 17 at Varsity Centre.

The win marks Toronto’s (2-1) first over the Guelph (1-2) since 1995.

Leading 14-12 with under a minute remaining, fifth-year veteran quarterback Andrew Gillis avenged Toronto’s 2010 season-opening loss to the Gryphons, running 25 yards into the end zone to seal the deal and Toronto’s second victory of the season.

Gillis was 12-for-28 and 173 yards, while rushing seven times for 52 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Aaron Milton of Whitby, Ont., led all players with 85 yards rushing and one touchdown.

Fourth-year linebacker Wilkerson DeSouza was named theScore’s player of the game. The Mississauga, Ont., native recorded a season-high 11 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the win.

The Gryphons got out to an early lead when fourth-year veteran Michael Millar of Port Colbourne, Ont., blocked Willie Sharpe’s punt in the first series of the game and recovered it in the end zone for the major.

On the last drive of the opening quarter, Gillis led the home team down the field before Milton finished it off with a seven-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Toronto built on that momentum in their next series with Gillis once again steering the ship. The Toronto native connected with veteran receiver Michael Prempeh for a 49-yard gain and then ran it in himself for a one-yard rushing touchdown.

U of T’s defence got in on the action when fourth-year defensive back Dorian Munroe of Miami, Fla., intercepted a Christopher Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.) pass on Guelph’s ensuing drive.

The Blues held a 14-7 lead at halftime.

The Gryphons drove deep into Blues territory early in the third, after a fake field goal attempt turned into a Jedd Gardner 15-yard rush. However, U of T’s defensive corps held strong with DeSouza forcing a fumble and recovering it on his own one-yard line. Toronto would then concede a safety and maintain a 14-9 advantage heading into the final stanza.

Guelph would kick a field goal early in the fourth to close the gap to two (14-12) and quickly regained possession when Sebastian Howard picked off the U of T pivot. Toronto’s defence stood tall as both teams exchanged possessions over the next 10 minutes of action.

With memories of their last-second loss to the Gryphons last season, U of T dug in their heels. A 44-yard reception by third-year receiver Paul de Pass gave the Blues some breathing room and would ultimately set up Gillis’ final TD.

The Varsity Blues return to the field next Saturday, September 24 when they travel to Ottawa to take on the No. 9 Gee-Gees. The Gryphons return home to host the No. 7 McMaster Marauders. Both games are scheduled to start a 1 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca.

Toronto Sports Info

The Gryphon football team failed to overtake the Toronto Varsity Blues this afternoon (Sept. 17), Blues win home opener 21-12.

The Gryphon football team drops to 1-2 while the Varsity Blues advance to 2-1.

The Gryphons got out to an early lead when fourth-year veteran Michael Millar (Port Colborne, Ont.) blocked Willie Sharpe’s (Renfrew, Ont.) punt in the first series of the game and recovered it in the end zone for the major. This would be the Gryphons lone touchdown of the game.
On the last drive of the opening quarter, veteran quarterback Andrew Gillis (Toronto, Ont.) led the home team down the field before Aaron Milton (Whitby, Ont.) finished it off with a seven-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Toronto built on that momentum in their next series with Gillis once again steering the ship. The Toronto native connected with veteran receiver Michael Prempeh (Toronto, Ont.) for a 49-yard gain and then ran it in himself for a one-yard rushing touchdown.

The Varsity Blues held a 14-7 lead at halftime.

The Gryphons drove deep into Varsity Blues territory early in the third, after a fake field goal attempt turned into a Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.) 15-yard rush. However, the Varsity Blues defensive corps held strong with Wilkerson DeSouza (Mississauga, Ont.) forcing a fumble and recovering it on his own one-yard line. The Varsity Blues would then concede a safety and maintain a 14-9 advantage heading into the final stanza.

Guelph’s Daniel Ferraro (Mississauga, Ont.) would kick a field goal early in the fourth to close the gap to two (14-12) and quickly regained possession when Sebastian Howard (Niagara Falls, Ont.) picked off the Varsity Blues pivot. Both teams exchanged possessions over the next 10 minutes of action.

Gryphon quarterback, Chris Rosett (Mississauga, Ont.) was 13-for-28 for 107 yards. Steve Legace (Burlington, Ont.) led the Gryphons with 67 yards rushing while Kevin Campbell (Pickering, Ont.) had 42 yards receiving for Guelph.

Jake Reinhart (Guelph, Ont.) tallied an impressive 13 solo tackles to lead the Gryphon defence. The Gryphons backfield continued to play well, Mark Durigon (Rockwood, Ont.) tallied two interceptions while Sebastian Howard added one.

The Gryphons are back on home turf next Saturday (Sept. 24) at 1:00 p.m. for Homecoming at Alumni Stadium. You can purchase tickets online at gryphons.ca or visit the W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre.

Guelph Sports Info