It's official. For the first time since 2011, the Guelph Gryphons will not be a part of the OUA football playoffs.
The Gryphons had trouble stopping the running game of the ninth ranked team in the nation on a windy day, as the Laurier Golden Hawks emerged with the 38-25 decision in Waterloo.
Laurier amassed a 14-0 lead through the first 15 minutes, but Guelph came right back to take a 18-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The comeback included a 29-yard pick six from 2021 U Sports All-Canadian defender Harrison Bagayogo with just under two minutes left in the half.
Laurier responded with a third quarter touchdown run from Tanner Nelmes, and then really took off in the fourth, pushing the lead to 20 points before Juwan Jeffrey caught a 29-yard pass from Jake Helfrich with 1:59 remaining to round out the scoring.
Helfrich was behind centre the whole time for Guelph, after splitting time with Tommy Yanchuk last week.
Helfrich went 16-for-23 in the air, nabbing 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Gryphons were able to slow down Hawks QB Taylor Elgersma, holding him to 203 yards passing. But it was the running back tandem of Quentin Scott and Nelmes putting on a show for their home crowd.
Scott picked up 144 yards on the ground, and ran in a touchdown. Nelmes was right behind him at 127 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Guelph, at 1-6, are now mathematically eliminated from the postseason. The team will finish off its season next Saturday at Alumni Stadium against Carleton. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
