Photos: Craig Glover/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network
By Casey Dulson, CIS Football Correspondent
“When I was playing, it was one of the most heated rivalries we had,”
Stevenson Bone is tired of losing to the Guelph Gryphons.
“Over the last few years, (our main rival) has been Guelph because we’ve played them in very close and hard-fought games,’’ the Western backup quarterback said. “Plus they have ended our season the last two years.”
Bone, who had a front row seat in both playoff defeats, is eager for redemption this weekend.
Saturday’s game at Alumni Stadium is one of the most anticipated CIS football games of the year as Western looks to avenge a 23-17 loss in the 108th Yates Cup last November at Guelph’s Homecoming. In 2014, the Mustangs also fell to the Gryphons in the OUA semifinals.
Former Gryphons receiver Dillon Dimitroff has fond memories from his playing days against Western during a five-year career from 2009 to 2014.
“When I was playing, it was one of the most heated rivalries we had,” Dimitroff said. “My first year as freshman in 2009, we played them at Homecoming and ended up losing on a last second-field goal by two – that game for me started the rivalry against Western. Every time, we played against each other, there was always bad blood and an extra build-up for the game”.
For Dimitroff, that first game seven years ago also marked a special moment in his career.
“(Former Gryphons receiver) Jedd Gardner went down on the first play of the game and I got put in as a freshman,’’ he said, recalling having to replace Guelph’s all-time leading receiver. “I played the whole game and was able to contribute as a rookie.”
For the past four years, the rivalry has favoured Guelph, having beaten the Mustangs in the last four straight games. In 70 head-to-head matchups, Western leads the all-time series 43-15-12.
Saturday’s contest, which begins at 1 p.m., is the second of four CIS Football Game of the Week broadcasts on the road to the 52nd ArcelorMittal Dofasco Vanier Cup. Last week’s game saw Western beat Queen’s 27-13 in the Gaels’ home opener at the new Richardson Stadium.
For Bone, the games being shown on television is a fantastic idea.
“Showing the games on national television is good for the OUA and the CIS,’’ Bone said. “We are excited to play on national TV and for our family and friends to watch us.”
Western comes into the game as the No.4 team in the nation with a record of 3-1 in the OUA. Guelph heads into their homecoming contest with a record of 2-2, after a 31-28 double-overtime loss to the Ottawa Gee-Gees.
A win on Saturday for Western would mean a lot to Bone and his teammates.
“Me and my recruiting class are 0-4 against Guelph,” he said. “They are the only OUA team that I have not beaten in my career and last year’s loss was a tough one, especially since it happened at home. We would like to beat them at their home like they did to us last year.
“In my eyes, they are still the number one team in the OUA because they are the defending champions – until some team knocks them off.”
Dimitroff expects a fantastic atmosphere.
“(I’ve) experienced many homecoming games around Ontario and I can honestly say that (Guelph) has one of the best crowds and fan bases in the OUA during homecoming,” Dimitroff said. “You get 10 to 12 thousand people out there on the hill - they are just out there supporting you and you really feed up on their energy.”