Yates dream dashed

Recap of Queen’s semi-final loss to Guelph

Defensive back TJ Chase-Dunawa scored on a 34-yard punt return late in the second quarter against Guelph.
Image by: Tiffany Lam
Defensive back TJ Chase-Dunawa scored on a 34-yard punt return late in the second quarter against Guelph.

Trailing by 22 points to start the fourth quarter last Saturday, Guelph fought back from the brink of elimination.

The Gryphons scored three straight touchdowns in the final ten minutes of regulation, adding a last-minute two-point conversion to even the score.

After kicker Dillon Wamsley hit a 39-yard field goal to start overtime, Guelph quarterback Jazz Lindsey hit receiver Michael Fortino with a 35-yard touchdown pass, sealing the win.

“[There’s] tremendous disappointment with the outcome,” said Gaels head coach Pat Sheahan. “Credit to Guelph — they came back, played hard, didn’t give up, took advantage of some miscues and made the most of it.”

Despite committing seven turnovers, the Gaels led 36-14 through three quarters. A touchdown off a blocked punt and an 80-yard scamper from Lindsey cut the deficit to eight points.

With 44 seconds left, Gryphons receiver Saxon Lindsey snagged a one-yard touchdown pass, before receiver Carl Trivieri secured the tying two-point conversion.

“The game came down to a couple plays, which is always unfair because we had our opportunities to win it before overtime,” Sheahan said.

The Gaels’ defence did their part early on, holding Guelph to seven offensive points through three quarters.

Impact plays on special teams spurred the Gaels in the first half. Receiver Giovanni Aprile started a first-quarter touchdown drive with a 93-yard missed field goal return, while defensive back TJ Chase-Dunawa returned a shanked punt 34 yards for a second-quarter touchdown.

Ultimately, it wasn’t sufficient. Playing into a steady wind, Queen’s picked up just two first downs in the fourth quarter, setting up the comeback.

“It’s hard to feel that 39 points wouldn’t be enough to win a game, but as we know, sometimes it isn’t,” Sheahan said.

Tags

Football, Gaels, Gryphons, OUA

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