In a game defined by two halves of football completely different from each other, the Laurier Golden Hawks escaped Saturday night with a win at the University of Guelph in front of a packed crowd rabid for OUA football action.
Even though they came out on top, Laurier was outdone by Guelph in major statistical categories such as passing yards (415-186) and total offence (577-362).
The Golden Hawks, led by NCAA transfer Callum Wither, exploded from the get-go with just under 10 minutes to play in the first quarter, and would not let off for the entire first half.
Wither delivered a quick pass to record-breaking receiver, Ethan Jordan, who took it 71 yards to the house to open the scoring at 7-0.
Guelph tried to answer back throughout the the first half, but Laurier's defence stymied them, which included a big play from defensive back Maliek Cote to break up a potential touchdown pass from Guelph quarterback Tristan Aboud.
A sack from Joey Edlington followed on a crucial third and three play in the second quarter on the same drive.
Cote finished the game with five and a half tackles and two pass breakups, showcasing his agility and versatility.
Still in the second quarter with just over seven minutes to play, the Golden Hawks struck again off a 10-play drive that took them 94 yards down the field.
On the goal line, Wither took the snap and faked the handoff to running back Tayshaun Jackson before firing to an open Ethan Jordan to make it 14-0 for both of their second touchdowns of the first half.
Jordan would finish the game leading all receivers with 125 yards and two touchdowns off eight catches.
A Guelph safety gave the ball back to Laurier's offence for another crack at scoring, which they did before the halftime break, as Tayshaun Jackson took a handoff to score his first touchdown of 2025 with just eight seconds remaining in the first half. Dawson Hodge would nail the extra point to give Laurier a 23-0 halftime lead.
Jackson finished with 94 rushing yards on 13 attempts and a score; second in the game behind Aboud, who rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns off just nine attempts.
Once the second half rolled around, the Gryphons started to fight back, behind the sensational play of Aboud, who would finish with 415 yards passing and two scores through the air.
Aboud put the team on his back early in the third quarter as he bumped and grinded his way to the end zone with a 40-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 23-7 that lit up Alumni Stadium.
A few drives later, Aboud again pulled off some magic by unleashing a 63-yard bomb to Willem Arseaneau who hauled it in at the Laurier two-yard line, to set up a touchdown pass to Harry Varty to cut the lead to 23-14.
To finish off the third quarter, Aboud once again led the offence down the field and threw a missile to Jarrod Tessier in the endzone, who acrobatically came down with the ball in a diving motion. That score capped a third quarter that saw the Gryphons score 21 unanswered points to charge back in the game to sit at 23-21.
The fourth quarter began with a Laurier drive that ended up in Guelph's red zone with just under 10 minutes to play in the fourth. Sitting at the Guelph 20-yard line on second and 11, Wither took the snap, rolled left, and threw on the run to a leaping Jace Atkinson in the end zone to put the Golden Hawks up 30-21.
Shortly after, Aboud and the Gryphons were situated at their own 30-yard line with about 5:25 remaining on second down. Aboud looked over the middle and fired the ball into the arms of Laurier linebacker, Ethan Gregorcic, for a crucial interception to set up Laurier's offence.
A Dawson Hodge field goal after the pick extended the lead to 33-21, but Guelph answered back with Aboud's second rushing score of the day with under a minute left to play to trim the deficit to 33-28.
Laurier had a quick drive that ended in a punt before Guelph got the ball back with a chance to win the game. The drive ended in a Hail Mary attempt that fell incomplete in the end zone to cement Laurier's first win of the season in a 33-28 barn-burner.
The Golden Hawks' next opponent comes on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7:00 PM at home against the Windsor Lancers, while Guelph travels to London to take on the Western Mustangs on Aug. 31 at 7:00 PM as well.
Top performers from the game
QB – Tristan Aboud, Guelph: Aboud completed 27 of 41 passes for 415 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. He added 96 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
RB – Tayshaun Jackson, Laurier: Jackson carried the ball 13 times for 94 yards, finding the end zone once to help keep the Golden Hawks moving offensively.
WR – Ethan Jordan, Laurier: Jordan hauled in eight passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, showing why he is considered the best receiver in the conference.
Defence – Ethan Gregorcic, LB, Laurier: Gregorcic recorded four and a half total tackles and added the fourth quarter interception.