October 4, 2007
PLAYOFF POSITIONING UP FOR GRABS ON UNIVERSITY RUSH
HAMILTON, Ont. – Playoff positioning is what is at stake in this week’s match up of University Rush football presented by Pioneer Petroleums, on The Score Television Network. The No.4 Laurier Golden Hawks (5-0) will travel to Guelph to take on the Gryphons (3-2) this Saturday in what could prove to be a pivotal match-up when the playoffs commence October 27.
With a win, the Guelph Gryphons give themselves an opportunity to finish in the top four in the OUA regular season standings, earning themselves quarter-final, home field advantage in the playoffs. The Golden Hawks will be looking to solidify their playoff positioning in the top two themselves, with a victory this weekend against Guelph.
The Gryphons, enter the contest on a high-note, having won their last three consecutive games. A feat not achieved by Guelph since the 2004 season. Laurier is flying high after last weeks hard fought 23-4 victory over the Golden Gaels in Kingston. "Last week's game was one of those games in the trenches with two teams battling hard. Our guys competed for all 60 minutes of the game and outlasted our opponents and that's how you remain successful," said Golden Hawks head coach Gary Jefferies.
Laurier comes into this weekend’s game leading the OUA with fewest points against. "On the defensive side of the ball Giancarlo Rapanaro (Niagara Falls, Ont.) has done a great job moving out to our linebacking core and becoming a key fixture within it," said Jefferies. Averaging only 12 points against per game, the Hawks rank second in the nation, and proved to be tough opponents as they only allowed 10 first downs last weekend to the Queens Golden Gaels. “Their defence is very aggressive. They are undefeated and a very solid football team. It will be a great challenge for our team this weekend,” commented Guelph Gryphons head coach Kyle Walters.
The Golden Hawks have also demonstrated the ability to run the ball in every game they have played this year. Leading their attack is the nations top rusher Ryan Lynch (Waterloo, Ont) with 776 rushing yards and 117 carries, he is tied for first with eight touchdowns on the ground and ranks second in rushing yards per game (155.2). “Laurier has demonstrated the ability to run the ball in every game they have played this year. Their quarterback is very accurate and gets the ball into the hands of the receivers very quickly,” commented Walters when asked about the Laurier offense.
Quarterback Ian Noble (West Vancouver, B.C.) has thrown 1045 yards including six touchdowns while being intercepted twice. "So far this season Ian Noble - a first year starting quarterback has done a tremendous job leading our offense. He has surprised others but we knew the strength and skill he has and contributes to the overall program," stated Jefferies about his rookie pivot.
The Gryphons enter the game with similar offensive numbers lead by second-year running back Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont ). FitzGibbon ranks fifth in OUA rushing with 479 yards and three touchdowns. “We can't ignore their running back Fitzgibbon. On the defensive side they are big and strong and we're going to have to make some key blocks to make things happen on the ground," head coach Jefferies said. The Gryphon's demonstrated their offensive strengths last weekend in a dominating 41-8 over the Waterloo Warriors. "In looking at Guelph ... I think they are every bit as tough of a team as last week (against Queen's). They are a program that has had two tough losses and they will be a challenge for us this week," added Jefferies.
Gyphon’s quarterback Justin Dunk (Guelph, Ont) sits second in CIS touchdowns with 11 and 1,006 passing yards. "Dunk is a huge headache to contain and controlling his scrambling is something we need to do a good job with,” said Jefferies.
Guelph hopes to end a four-game losing streak to Laurier since a 15-4 win in the 2002 regular-season (Oct. 19). Last year the Gryphons nearly defeated the Golden Hawks in the season opener when Laurier needed overtime to edge Guelph 24-17. “We have won three games in a row and the players are feeling confident. The offence has started to move the ball and put up over 30 points in each of the last three games,” commented Gryphon’s head coach Kyle Walters. “The defence has limited the number of big plays given up compared to the first two games of the year which is why the opposition scoring has gone down.”
Tickets can be purchased through the Gryphon’s box office at http://www.athletics.uoguelph.ca/boxoffice/boxoffice.html or by phone 519-82-GRYPH. Tickets are: Adult $8, Family $20 (2 adults, 2 students), Alumni/Senior $6 (with valid ID card), Student $4 (with valid ID card). The University Rush broadcast on The Score Television Network beings at 1:00pm this Saturday.
Guelph Leaders
Passing
Justin Dunk – 67 completions, 138 attempts, 1006 yards, 11 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
Rushing
Nick Fitzgibbon – 78 rushes, 479 yards, 3 touchdowns
Receiving
David Harrison- 16 catches, 288 yards, 3 touchdown
Defence
Chris Decker - 26 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles
Taggart Russell – 23 solo tackles, 8 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
Laurier Leaders
Passing
Ian Noble – 81 completions, 110 attempts, 1045 yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Lynch – 117 rushes, 776 yards, 8 touchdowns
Receiving
Andy Baechler – 18 catches, 230 yards
Defence
Anthony Maggiacomo – 28 solo tackles 8 assisted tackles
Luke Pinder – 20 solo tackles, 8 assisted tackles
- OUA -
Michelle Church
Communications & Media Relations Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics
Tel: (905) 540-5156
Fax: (905) 574-2840
E-mail: michelle.church@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca
With a win, the Guelph Gryphons give themselves an opportunity to finish in the top four in the OUA regular season standings, earning themselves quarter-final, home field advantage in the playoffs. The Golden Hawks will be looking to solidify their playoff positioning in the top two themselves, with a victory this weekend against Guelph.
The Gryphons, enter the contest on a high-note, having won their last three consecutive games. A feat not achieved by Guelph since the 2004 season. Laurier is flying high after last weeks hard fought 23-4 victory over the Golden Gaels in Kingston. "Last week's game was one of those games in the trenches with two teams battling hard. Our guys competed for all 60 minutes of the game and outlasted our opponents and that's how you remain successful," said Golden Hawks head coach Gary Jefferies.
Laurier comes into this weekend’s game leading the OUA with fewest points against. "On the defensive side of the ball Giancarlo Rapanaro (Niagara Falls, Ont.) has done a great job moving out to our linebacking core and becoming a key fixture within it," said Jefferies. Averaging only 12 points against per game, the Hawks rank second in the nation, and proved to be tough opponents as they only allowed 10 first downs last weekend to the Queens Golden Gaels. “Their defence is very aggressive. They are undefeated and a very solid football team. It will be a great challenge for our team this weekend,” commented Guelph Gryphons head coach Kyle Walters.
The Golden Hawks have also demonstrated the ability to run the ball in every game they have played this year. Leading their attack is the nations top rusher Ryan Lynch (Waterloo, Ont) with 776 rushing yards and 117 carries, he is tied for first with eight touchdowns on the ground and ranks second in rushing yards per game (155.2). “Laurier has demonstrated the ability to run the ball in every game they have played this year. Their quarterback is very accurate and gets the ball into the hands of the receivers very quickly,” commented Walters when asked about the Laurier offense.
Quarterback Ian Noble (West Vancouver, B.C.) has thrown 1045 yards including six touchdowns while being intercepted twice. "So far this season Ian Noble - a first year starting quarterback has done a tremendous job leading our offense. He has surprised others but we knew the strength and skill he has and contributes to the overall program," stated Jefferies about his rookie pivot.
The Gryphons enter the game with similar offensive numbers lead by second-year running back Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont ). FitzGibbon ranks fifth in OUA rushing with 479 yards and three touchdowns. “We can't ignore their running back Fitzgibbon. On the defensive side they are big and strong and we're going to have to make some key blocks to make things happen on the ground," head coach Jefferies said. The Gryphon's demonstrated their offensive strengths last weekend in a dominating 41-8 over the Waterloo Warriors. "In looking at Guelph ... I think they are every bit as tough of a team as last week (against Queen's). They are a program that has had two tough losses and they will be a challenge for us this week," added Jefferies.
Gyphon’s quarterback Justin Dunk (Guelph, Ont) sits second in CIS touchdowns with 11 and 1,006 passing yards. "Dunk is a huge headache to contain and controlling his scrambling is something we need to do a good job with,” said Jefferies.
Guelph hopes to end a four-game losing streak to Laurier since a 15-4 win in the 2002 regular-season (Oct. 19). Last year the Gryphons nearly defeated the Golden Hawks in the season opener when Laurier needed overtime to edge Guelph 24-17. “We have won three games in a row and the players are feeling confident. The offence has started to move the ball and put up over 30 points in each of the last three games,” commented Gryphon’s head coach Kyle Walters. “The defence has limited the number of big plays given up compared to the first two games of the year which is why the opposition scoring has gone down.”
Tickets can be purchased through the Gryphon’s box office at http://www.athletics.uoguelph.ca/boxoffice/boxoffice.html or by phone 519-82-GRYPH. Tickets are: Adult $8, Family $20 (2 adults, 2 students), Alumni/Senior $6 (with valid ID card), Student $4 (with valid ID card). The University Rush broadcast on The Score Television Network beings at 1:00pm this Saturday.
Guelph Leaders
Passing
Justin Dunk – 67 completions, 138 attempts, 1006 yards, 11 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
Rushing
Nick Fitzgibbon – 78 rushes, 479 yards, 3 touchdowns
Receiving
David Harrison- 16 catches, 288 yards, 3 touchdown
Defence
Chris Decker - 26 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles
Taggart Russell – 23 solo tackles, 8 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
Laurier Leaders
Passing
Ian Noble – 81 completions, 110 attempts, 1045 yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Lynch – 117 rushes, 776 yards, 8 touchdowns
Receiving
Andy Baechler – 18 catches, 230 yards
Defence
Anthony Maggiacomo – 28 solo tackles 8 assisted tackles
Luke Pinder – 20 solo tackles, 8 assisted tackles
- OUA -
Michelle Church
Communications & Media Relations Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics
Tel: (905) 540-5156
Fax: (905) 574-2840
E-mail: michelle.church@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca
