Lancers lose last chance
By Ryan Rogers
Sports Editor
October 17, 2007
The Lancers Football Program officially laid their playoff hopes to rest last weekend being eliminated from contention by the Guelph Gryphons, 36-10.
Guelph benefited the whole game from outstanding blocking both offensively and defensively, and a patient QB Justin Dunk was given plenty of time in the pocket to pass for over 300 yards and rush for another 75 of his own.
The Lancers opened the scoring with a field goal from Kevin Reider at 8:30 of the first quarter, only to have Dunk make a 70-yard pass to Jedd Gardner less than a minute later for a touchdown. Up 7-3 to start the second quarter, the Gryphons took control of the game with outstanding offensive and defensive pressure.
Justin Dunk was the story of the game, where he completed 27 passes in 41 attempts, and was able to keep plays alive while under pressure. Near the end of the second quarter, Dunk broke free from a tackle which would have resulted in a sack, to rush the ball himself 29 yards for a first down, setting up a touchdown pass to Nick FitzGibbon. Down 20 – 3 at the half, the Lancers left the field demoralized.
The Lancers would have to win the game to put their season record up to 3-4, going into Ottawa next week for the final game of the season. The Ottawa Gee Gees are a powerhouse, the only remaining undefeated team in the western division, and are ranked second in all of Canada by Canadian Interuniversity Sports.
With a hope to salvage a win in the second half, the Lancers’ chances went from bad to worse when Guelph kicker Rob Maver punted the ball deep into the Lancer end zone resulting in a safety. And when the Lancers kicked the ball back to the Gryphons following the safety, Paul Bartley returned the kickoff for another touchdown, putting the game out of reach completely.
The Lancer fans had little to cheer about until late in the fourth quarter. The home fans who stuck it out until the end of the game were excited to see Matt Bucknor make a huge interception and returned the ball 80 yards for a touchdown giving the home fans a final hurrah before their last glimpse of the Lancers for the season. The interception came on the only pass attempted by Guelph backup QB Lance Fergin, who was substituted in at the end of the game.
The Gryphons demonstrated their quickness and craftiness as they used their rushing leader, FitzGibbon, as a receiver once, their lead receiver as a rusher once, and even used their QB as a rusher (for 75 total yards). Graeme Reed also saw some success mixing up his skills by rushing for 12 yards and receiving for 40.
The Lancers were short quite a few starters heading into the game, as their all-star Daryl Stephenson was out with a high-ankle sprain, receiver Mike Alphonso tore his MCL in practice, offensive lineman Steve Platz and linebacker John Celestino have injured knees, and defensive back Bran Quayson and defensive lineman Jamie Wright have shoulder injuries.
Lancer QB Dan Lumley struggled early and often, completing 10 of 20 passes for 92 yards and threw for an interception. With the pressure on, he also fumbled late in the second quarter.
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team set a new CIS record for the longest losing streak in all of Canadian university history.
They have lost 48 football games in a row, breaking the record last Saturday losing to the Western Mustangs 44-1. The last team the Blues beat were the Lancers in a come-from-behind victory in 2001, where the Lancers were downed 13-11. At that point, the Blues were on an 18-game losing streak.
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