GUELPH, Ont. — The McMaster Marauders (1-3-0) fell short in a tightly contested game against the Guelph Gryphons (3-1-0), losing 29-24 at Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The game began with McMaster taking an early lead. At 11:37 of the first quarter, the Marauders launched a drive which resulted in a touchdown. Second- year tight end,
Nathan Denkers (Hamilton, Ont.), made a key 14-yard reception, and quarter-back,
Keagan Hall (Burlington Ont.), connected with
Nicholas Adair (Kingston, Ont.) for a 5-yard touchdown pass, putting McMaster ahead 7-0.
Guelph responded with a quick scoring drive of their own. Two deep passes set up a 21-yard field goal at 3:32 of the first quarter, narrowing McMaster's lead to 7-3. The maroon countered right back with a field goal, thanks in part to a significant 27-yard catch by
Jackson Cooling (Burlington, Ont.), resulting in a 10-3 lead after the 28-yard field goal.
The Gryphons closed the gap with a 52-yard field goal, making it 10-6. They took the lead in the second quarter with a string of long passes that set up a touchdown at 1:31, shifting the score to 13-10 in favour of Guelph. A rouge added another point for the Gryphons, bringing the score to 14-10 before they extended their lead with a late touchdown, making it 21-10 at halftime.
McMaster mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter with a 10-play drive highlighted by Hall's 23-yard pass to
Aidan Nemeth (Vancouver, B.C.). First year running back, Lucas Baressi (Hamilton, Ont.) punched it in for a touchdown with 1:59 left in the quarter, narrowing the gap to 21-17.
However, the the red and yellow recorded a safety early in the fourth quarter, which added to Guelph's lead, making it 23-17. The Gryphons then sealed the game with an 11-play drive ending in a touchdown. McMaster responded with a determined 13-play drive, resuting in a second touchdown by Baressi. Despite the maroon's valiant effort, the Gryphons managed to run out the clock, ending the game with a narrow 29-24 victory.
The Marauders will look to regroup as they take on Carleton (1-3) at TAAG Park Stadium in Ottawa on September 21st.
