October 23, 2009
FINAL PLAYOFF PUSH ON UNIVERSITY RUSH
HAMILTON, Ont. - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is back on The Score Television Network this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET as the Guelph Gryphons (3-4) pay a visit to the No. 10 nationally-ranked McMaster Marauders (5-2) at Ron Joyce Stadium for (potentially) one last dance before the playoffs kick off.
The Gryphons have done their fair share of struggling since Week 1, riding a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but despite all that, nothing matters more than Saturday's University Rush game.
Guelph still needs a victory to secure the sixth and final playoff spot in OUA, or else depend on others to gain an invite to the post-season show. While McMaster has already earned its ticket to the playoffs, the Marauders are in a position to earn a first-round bye, or at the very least, a home playoff game which would be a first for Ron Joyce Stadium. The Marauders will have a large Homecoming crowd backing them up on Saturday.
Going up against the Marauders is no easy feat these days, given that McMaster is on a three-game win streak, while Guelph has lost their last two. The Gryphons showed they have the potential to become a Yates Cup champion in two close games against the No. 2 ranked Queen's Gaels (7-0) and No. 6 Western Mustangs (5-2), losing both games on a last-second field goal.
Guelph quarterback Justin Dunk (Guelph, Ont.) is now fourth in OUA passing yards after leading the season through four weeks. After serving a one-game suspension in Week 5, Dunk hasn't been able to find his footing on the field again, taking two straight losses against Ottawa and Laurier. He's been held to 194 passing yards in two games, throwing for just 76 yards (and three interceptions) against Laurier, a game that Dunk is likely hoping to forget.
Save for Dunk's poor performance in recent weeks, when it comes to Guelph's offensive attack, the Gryphons sit second in the OUA in scoring with 32 touchdowns and 281 points for. Punter/kicker Rob Maver (Brampton, Ont.) clocks in at No. 3 in the province in scoring with 13 field goals and 75 points. He is eligible for the CFL draft in 2010, and may be some welcome help for a pro team that is in need of a non-import kicker.
Another force to be reckoned with is Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.), Guelph's No. 1 running back. Secondly only to Western's Nathan Riva in touchdowns in OUA, Fitzgibbon has amassed 10 TDs (six rushing and four passing) for 64 points, rushing for 129 yards in Guelph's 21-14 loss to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks on Oct. 17.
Guelph has a solid wall of defence, consisting of Matthew Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.), Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.) and Jamies Savoie (Niagara Falls, Ont.), who all rank in the Top 10 in the OUA in tackles with 45, 36 and 33 solos, respectively.
Dunk and Rossetti have one sack each on the season, and while Dunk has forced two fumbles (and one recovery), Rossetti has his name in just about every defensive stat; along with his single sack, the third-year linebacker has one break-up, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Despite having the better record, the Marauders offence should be wary of Guelph's Mark Durigon (Rockwood, Ont.). The defensive back has picked off the ball five times in seven games, for 157 interception yards and one touchdown, sending him to the front of the pack in OUA interceptions.
But don't discount McMaster. The Marauders did, after all, outlast and outscore the Gryphons in last season's meeting at Alumni Field in Guelph, Ont. by a close score of 32-31. They had more first downs, more offence yards, more attempts (but more interceptions), fewer fumbles and fewer penalty yards.
Quarterback Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.) sits seventh in OUA with 1,092 passing yards after staring the season as Ryan Fantham's backup.
Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.) is McMaster's top running back, rushing for 619 yards on 100 attempts, but for just two touchdowns. Next to him is Joseph Nemet (Burlington, Ont.) with 485 yards and one TD, creating an excellent one-two punch. Matthew Peressini (Hannon, Ont.) is McMaster's top receiver with 347 receiving yards on 29 receptions, having scored four touchdowns.
When Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.) takes to the field, the Gryphons had better be prepared for the third-year linebacker to do what he does best. Chmielewski has a total of 46 total tackles, 42 of which are solos. He has two break-ups, one fumble recovery and one interception for 15 yards. His total tackles are enough to put him sixth in OUA, and fifth in solos.
Mac also has Cody Lynch (Stoney Creek, Ont.) backing up the defensive side of the ball. He has picked off three passes in 2008, which could prove to be helpful against Guelph.
Play-by-play announcer Tim Micallef along with former McMaster Marauder and CFL star Mike Morreale will bring you all the action on The Score. The game is presented by Pizza Pizza.
GUELPH LEADERS
Passing
Justin Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
105 completions, 194 attempts, 1,620 yards, 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
Rushing
Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.)
100 attempts, 679 yards, 6 touchdowns
Receiving
Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
26 receptions, 406 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Matthew Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.)
45 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
36 solo tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
James Savoie (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
33 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 3 fumble recoveries
MCMASTER LEADERS
Passing
Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.)
74 completions, 130 attempts, 1,092 yards, 6 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
Rushing
Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.)
100 attempts, 619 yards, 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Matthew Peressini (Hannon, Ont.)
29 receptions, 347 yards, 4 touchdowns
Defence
Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.)
42 solo tackles, 1 interception, 3 sacks
Steven Checchini (Thorold, Ont.)
21 solo tackles
Daniel Baronas (St. Catharines, Ont.)
18 solo tackles, 2 interceptions
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
The Gryphons have done their fair share of struggling since Week 1, riding a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but despite all that, nothing matters more than Saturday's University Rush game.
Guelph still needs a victory to secure the sixth and final playoff spot in OUA, or else depend on others to gain an invite to the post-season show. While McMaster has already earned its ticket to the playoffs, the Marauders are in a position to earn a first-round bye, or at the very least, a home playoff game which would be a first for Ron Joyce Stadium. The Marauders will have a large Homecoming crowd backing them up on Saturday.
Going up against the Marauders is no easy feat these days, given that McMaster is on a three-game win streak, while Guelph has lost their last two. The Gryphons showed they have the potential to become a Yates Cup champion in two close games against the No. 2 ranked Queen's Gaels (7-0) and No. 6 Western Mustangs (5-2), losing both games on a last-second field goal.
Guelph quarterback Justin Dunk (Guelph, Ont.) is now fourth in OUA passing yards after leading the season through four weeks. After serving a one-game suspension in Week 5, Dunk hasn't been able to find his footing on the field again, taking two straight losses against Ottawa and Laurier. He's been held to 194 passing yards in two games, throwing for just 76 yards (and three interceptions) against Laurier, a game that Dunk is likely hoping to forget.
Save for Dunk's poor performance in recent weeks, when it comes to Guelph's offensive attack, the Gryphons sit second in the OUA in scoring with 32 touchdowns and 281 points for. Punter/kicker Rob Maver (Brampton, Ont.) clocks in at No. 3 in the province in scoring with 13 field goals and 75 points. He is eligible for the CFL draft in 2010, and may be some welcome help for a pro team that is in need of a non-import kicker.
Another force to be reckoned with is Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.), Guelph's No. 1 running back. Secondly only to Western's Nathan Riva in touchdowns in OUA, Fitzgibbon has amassed 10 TDs (six rushing and four passing) for 64 points, rushing for 129 yards in Guelph's 21-14 loss to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks on Oct. 17.
Guelph has a solid wall of defence, consisting of Matthew Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.), Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.) and Jamies Savoie (Niagara Falls, Ont.), who all rank in the Top 10 in the OUA in tackles with 45, 36 and 33 solos, respectively.
Dunk and Rossetti have one sack each on the season, and while Dunk has forced two fumbles (and one recovery), Rossetti has his name in just about every defensive stat; along with his single sack, the third-year linebacker has one break-up, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Despite having the better record, the Marauders offence should be wary of Guelph's Mark Durigon (Rockwood, Ont.). The defensive back has picked off the ball five times in seven games, for 157 interception yards and one touchdown, sending him to the front of the pack in OUA interceptions.
But don't discount McMaster. The Marauders did, after all, outlast and outscore the Gryphons in last season's meeting at Alumni Field in Guelph, Ont. by a close score of 32-31. They had more first downs, more offence yards, more attempts (but more interceptions), fewer fumbles and fewer penalty yards.
Quarterback Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.) sits seventh in OUA with 1,092 passing yards after staring the season as Ryan Fantham's backup.
Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.) is McMaster's top running back, rushing for 619 yards on 100 attempts, but for just two touchdowns. Next to him is Joseph Nemet (Burlington, Ont.) with 485 yards and one TD, creating an excellent one-two punch. Matthew Peressini (Hannon, Ont.) is McMaster's top receiver with 347 receiving yards on 29 receptions, having scored four touchdowns.
When Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.) takes to the field, the Gryphons had better be prepared for the third-year linebacker to do what he does best. Chmielewski has a total of 46 total tackles, 42 of which are solos. He has two break-ups, one fumble recovery and one interception for 15 yards. His total tackles are enough to put him sixth in OUA, and fifth in solos.
Mac also has Cody Lynch (Stoney Creek, Ont.) backing up the defensive side of the ball. He has picked off three passes in 2008, which could prove to be helpful against Guelph.
Play-by-play announcer Tim Micallef along with former McMaster Marauder and CFL star Mike Morreale will bring you all the action on The Score. The game is presented by Pizza Pizza.
GUELPH LEADERS
Passing
Justin Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
105 completions, 194 attempts, 1,620 yards, 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
Rushing
Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.)
100 attempts, 679 yards, 6 touchdowns
Receiving
Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
26 receptions, 406 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Matthew Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.)
45 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
36 solo tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
James Savoie (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
33 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 3 fumble recoveries
MCMASTER LEADERS
Passing
Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.)
74 completions, 130 attempts, 1,092 yards, 6 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
Rushing
Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.)
100 attempts, 619 yards, 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Matthew Peressini (Hannon, Ont.)
29 receptions, 347 yards, 4 touchdowns
Defence
Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.)
42 solo tackles, 1 interception, 3 sacks
Steven Checchini (Thorold, Ont.)
21 solo tackles
Daniel Baronas (St. Catharines, Ont.)
18 solo tackles, 2 interceptions
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
