HAMILTON (August, 26, 2018) - Jackson White of Cambridge, Ont., connected with Michael Bazzo of King City, Ont., on a three-yard pass in the fourth quarter, while the McMaster Marauder defence shut the door the rest of the way to squeeze past the Guelph Gryphons 16-15 in the OUA football season opener on Sunday.

"We found out that we've got some grit and some perseverance," said Head Coach Greg Knox following the game. "The kids have really come together over the course of this game, one that had all kinds of adversity in it. A young team can easily struggle, but I think we responded in the second half and did what we needed to do."

After giving up 10 points in the opening quarter, McMaster's defence was rock solid when it needed to be, especially in the closing moments of the game.

"Coach (Scott) Brady did a fantastic job getting a very young group to carry the play," said Knox in crediting his new defensive coordinator. "In the first game of the season, you never know what you're going to get, so you're defending everything. I can't say enough for what he did in getting the kids ready."

The McMaster defence returned only three defensive starters from last season, having lost a number of veterans to graduation and the CFL.

Once McMaster scored the game winning touchdown, which came with White tossing to Bazzio on a short crossing route at 8:53 of the final quarter, the Marauder secondary did not allow a Guelph passing first down.

Overall, Guelph was only able to carry the ball 34 yards and their offence failed to complete a pass on six attempts in the final frame. Ultimately the only blemish for the defence was a roughing the passer penalty on the Gryphon's final series, which set up a few nervous moments for the Marauders.

Knox was pleased the entire team responded with a lock down mindset to close the game.

"The kids might need something to happen before they can hit their stride, and maybe when we're older and more experienced, we don't need that spark and we can play at a high level with more consistency," said Knox. "But that was a tough football game, and they played us very tough."

Guelph built an 11-0 lead before an Adam Preocanin of Burlington, Ont., hit a 21-yard field goal to get McMaster on the board midway through the second quarter. Preocanin added two more with another coming before the half and one in the third to set up a 12-9 fourth quarter comeback for McMaster.

White finished the day tossing 241 yards with 21 completions on 34 attempts with the Bazzio touchdown pass.The sophomore quarterback had just one interception in the win.

For Bazzo the touchdown was not only the first of his career but his first catch in his very first OUA football game.

"First game, first catch, first everything. It was pretty surreal. It's hard to put into words. Mac and Guelph are such a huge rivalry, and I couldn't have asked for anything better," said Bazzo.

Jordan Lyons of Burlington, Ont., registered 132 all-purpose yards with 77 on the ground, and brought down 58 in the air. Tyson Middlemost of Dundas, Ont., was the game's top reciever posting in 94 yards on seven attempts.

For the Gryphons, Gabe Ferraro of Mississauga, Ont., knocked in a 37 and a 34-yard field goal, adding two singles in the game, while Theo Landers of Burnaby, Ont. punched in a one-yard run for Guelph's only touchdown score of the game.

McMaster will travel to Ottawa next week to meet the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees on September 2, with kickoff at 1:00pm. The Gee-Gees lost their opening game 39-21 to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo, Ont.