GUELPH, Ont. - With the playoffs just a few weeks away, the Marauders needed a win against the Guelph Gryphons to keep their post-season dreams alive.
To the delight of McMaster fans, the Marauders did just that, earning a big 41-12 victory over the Gryphons to move to 2-4 on the season.
McMaster has now defeated Guelph eight straight times since 2015.
The Gryphons started the game with the ball but it didn't take long for the McMaster offence to get on the field after a quick two and out by the host. After exchanging quick possessions throughout the opening quarter, neither team was able to get on the board.
The Marauders recorded the opening score of the game, just minutes into the second stanza. Ben MacDonald (Kamloops. BC) hit a field goal from 26-yards out to put the visitors up 3-0.
A few series later,
Josh Cumber (Cambridge, Ont.) intercepted Guelph's Jake Helfrich and returned it 46 yards to set up another MacDonald field goal to double the lead. McMaster would concede a safety and add a rouge to make the score 7-2 Marauders.
DeEmetrius Masuka (Hamilton, Ont.) had an impressive second quarter, first picking off Tommy Yanchuk before intercepting Helfrich to set up teammate
Jawaun Smith (Hamilton, Ont.). Smith found the end zone on a five yard rush with under two minutes to go in the half. The Gryphons responded with a touchdown of their own to make the halftime score 14-9 in favour of McMaster.
After the halftime break, the two teams struggled to find a rhythm and combined for just one first down throughout the third quarter. Dueck was intercepted at 11:06 in the third but the Gryphons were unable to capitalize. The Marauders added another MacDonald field goal before picking off Helfrich for the second time. After 45 minutes of play, McMaster held a 17-9 lead.
The Marauders put together impressive series in the closing phase of the game. Dueck found the endzone on a 1 yard rush to start the quarter. The Gryphons added a field goal to narrow the lead - 24-12. McMaster's
Daniel Bosett (Brantford, Ont.) secured a 7-yard pass from Dueck to record his first major of the day with just over 5 minutes remaining in the contest. On the ensuing Gryphon possession, McMaster made a huge defensive play, intercepting Yanchuk and returning it for a touchdown to make the score 38-12. MacDonald would add another field goal late to make the final score McMaster 41, Guelph 12.
The maroon and grey's defence put on a showcase all night and was integral to securing the second win of the season. McMaster intercepted Jake Helfrich three times and picked off Tommy Yanchuk twice. The Marauder defence held the Gryphons to just 131 yards of offence and eight first downs throughout the Friday night contest.
Dueck completed 18 of 27 attempts for 165 yards and recorded one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked four times. Bosett had his best game of the season with 105 rushing yards including a long of 26. The senior recorded one receiving touchdown. On the defence,
Tayo Smith (Hamilton, Ont.) led all Marauders with five solo tackles and Masuka recorded two interceptions. From a kicking standpoint, MacDonald went 4 for 5 on field goal attempts and punted six times.
For the Gryphons, Tommy Yanchuk went 5 for 9, including two interceptions, while Jake Helfrich completed seven of fifteen pass attempts and was picked off three times. Isaiah Smith had 53 yards on the ground and Kaine Stevenson had three receptions for 33 yards. Defensively, Kole Watson led all Gryphons with nine tackles.
The Marauders picked up a big win to move to 2-4 on the season and keep their playoff hopes alive. The Gryphons fall to 1-5.
Next Up
The Marauders will hit the road to face the Queen's Gaels on October 15th in Kingston. Game time is set for 3pm.
