Gryphons set to kickoff season against Gee-Gees (video)

The Guelph Gryphons football season will officially begin at home on Labour Day afternoon at Alumni Stadium, and will be one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory for your Gryphon squad. The Gryphons will face the Ottawa Gee Gees this Monday (Sept. 5) at 1:00 p.m.

Second year head coach Stu Lang looks to make an impact in his sophomore season, and has a number of gifted playmakers throughout his line-up. Guelph hopes that their returning players, along with a talented recruiting class, will improve on last year’s 4-4 league record and have a deep and successful postseason run. Meanwhile the Ottawa Gee Gee’s, last season’s runner up in the OUA finals, will look to build on last year’s successful 7-1 record. The Gee Gee’s possess a talented squad, and will surely be looking to prove that last year’s heartbreaking loss in the Yates Cup is a thing of the past. With a number of returning veterans, the Gee Gee’s are once again ready to put the OUA on notice.

Head coach Stu Lang hopes to defeat the competitive Ottawa Gee Gees and will need a great game to do so. He says he believes a productive training camp and a strong emphasis on recruiting last year has helped in preparations for this season.

“Ottawa has always had great individual players, they continue to have some great receivers. We expect they are going to be as good as they were last year, so it’s a big game for us,” said Lang.

Live Game Coverage:
Webcast: [URL]http://www.ssncanada.ca/game/2838/
Online Stats: [URL]http://www.sidearmstats.com/uoguelph/football

What To Look For: Gryphon’s Offense
Fifth year standout wide receiver Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.) may very well make history in the Gryphons home opener, as he is a mere 19-yards away from becoming Guelph’s all-time leader in receiving yards. Gardner, selected 28[SUP]th[/SUP] overall in the CFL draft, has had a productive off-season learning what it takes to make it in the CFL, and will no doubt bring a wealth of knowledge back to the gridiron. Look for him to build on last year’s 30 receptions, and create a new chapter in the Gryphon history books.

Quarterback Chris Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.) returns as the Gryphons starter under centre after a solid rookie campaign. Rossetti passed for 1447 yards for 10 touchdowns, with only two interceptions on the season. Look for those numbers to increase with running back Nick Fitzgibbon lost to graduation. Rossetti has a number of receivers to target, and look for Rossetti to Gardner to be a reoccurring theme for the season.

What To Look For: Gryphon’s Defence
Fourth-year defensive back Mark Durigon (Rockwood, Ont.) will look to continue harassing opposing quarterbacks with his knack for making interceptions. In the last two years, Durigon has amassed 11 interceptions, tops in the CIS over that span. Expect more of the same from the talented cover man, as he will no doubt be responsible for covering the oppositions primary receivers.

Defensive back Jordan Duncan (Grimsby, Ont.), a second-team all-star in 2010, will anchor the Gryphon’s talented secondary. Entering his fourth season in the Gold and Red, expect Duncan to cause havoc on opposing quarterbacks. His five interceptions tied for second in the CIS last season.

What to Look For: Gee Gee’s Offense
Ottawa’s offense will largely be centered around receiver Steven Hughes (Ottawa), a three-time OUA all-star who is entering his third season for the Gee Gee’s. Last season, Hughes recorded 57 receptions for 664 yards and four touchdowns, good for second overall in the OUA. Look for Hughes to have a big target on his back, as he will no doubt be the focal point of the Gryphon’s defence.

The Gee Gee’s will be counting on running back Brendan Gillanders (Orleans, Ont.) return from injury to help balance their potent offense. He showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, and will no doubt be looking to prove that he has indeed returned to game shape.

What To Look For: Gee Gee’s Defence
Fourth year linebacker Tyler Sawyer (Metcalfe, Ont.) will be looking to take over as one of the Gee Gee’s lead defenders. Over the past two years, Sawyer has accumulated 65 total tackles for Ottawa, good for second on the team over that span. Look for Sawyer to continue his dominance and become the leader the Gee Gee’s hope he can be.

Chris Daly (Burlington, Ont.), a fourth year defensive back, will surely be battling Sawyer all year in terms of total tackles. Over the past two seasons, Daly has 59.5 total tackles, to go along with five interceptions. With his ability to affect the game in both coverage and tackling, look for Daly to be a major factor in the Gee Gee’s defensive plans.

Tickets can be purchased at the game or in advance by going to the online box office at gryphons.ca or by visiting the W.F. Mitchell Centre. All students get in free for this week’s opening game.