HAMILTON (October 30, 2021) -  The McMaster Marauders won the battle, but lost the war missing the OUA playoffs on a tiebreak despite a 27-22 victory over the No. 7 Guelph Gryphons during the final game of the regular season. 

McMaster finished the year with a 3-3 record tied with three other teams and was on the outside looking in with Laurier, Waterloo, and oddly enough Guelph advancing. The tiebreak came down to divisional records which for the Marauders was 2-3 as well as head-to-head records against common opponents. Divisional losses against Western, Windsor and Laurier ultimately decided their season. 

"We worked hard to get ourselves in this situation, and we knew that it was a little bit out of our control and there were things that we should have taken care of earlier in the year," said Head Coach, Stefan Ptaszek. "Winners don't make excuses, or blame others for coming up a little bit short, they look at why they are in this situation."

In what could be his final appearance as a Marauder, graduating quarterback Andreas Dueck threw for 213-yards with one touchdown pass to help McMaster to the win. Dueck hit Jackson Cooling (Burlington, Ont) on a 70-yard touchdown strike with 3:09 remaining.  

The Gryphons attempted to mount a comeback posting nine points in the final two minutes, but the Marauders would hold on.

Justice Allin (Toronto) led both teams in rushing with 62-yards while Daniel Bosett (Brantford, Ont.) tallied 53-yards and recorded a touchdown. Liam Putt (Caledonia, Ont.) also had a rushing touchdown in the win

On Guelph's side Shawn Lai posted 302-yards and tossed Guelph's only touchdown to Clark Barnes. Gryphon kicker Eric Stranz had four field goals with his longest being from 47-yards.

"We battled it down [with Guelph] to the last couple of minutes, and even to the last couple of seconds," said Penney-Laryea on his final game with the Marauders. "There's nothing more thrilling than that, and you can tell that everyone gave it their all and it was a satisfying win despite the ultimate result, but I'm glad it ended with a win at home."

GAME CHANGING: The Marauder defence stunned Guelph on several occasions taking away multiple big breakout plays by the Gryphons. At one point in the third quarter, McMaster was pinned down deep in their endzone on three consecutive drives and Guelph would only walk away with two points (a conceded McMaster safety). Had those defensive stands not worked out, the Gryphons easily could have broke the game open the other way. 

BY THE NUMBERS: 

89 - The number of career regular season field goals Adam Preocanin finishes his career with. His 89 career field goals places him in a tie for fourth place in U SPORTS with Lewis Ward (Ottawa Gee-Gees 2017). 

252 - Guelph amassed 252 return yards in today's loss and averaged 42.9 on special teams.. Comparatively the Marauders tallied just 32 yards.

24 - number of first downs made by McMaster. 

THEY SAID IT: 

Stef Ptaszek - Head Coach

"Winner is a word I don't throw around lightly, and I don't think there's one young man on that field that I wouldn't call a winner," added Ptaszek.
 
Enoch Penney-Laryea - McMaster Defensive End

On narrowly missing the playoffs due to a tiebreak.... 

"It just goes to show you that in life, you just have to handle things to the best of your ability. It's not always going to play out the way you want it, but it's a great lesson for everyone, especially for the younger guys on the team."