KINGSTON, Ont. (Sept. 21, 2024) - The hot weather in Kingston on Saturday afternoon was nothing compared to the hot tempers on the Richardson Stadium Field as Queen's Football hosted the Guelph Gryphons. 

A game which was chippy from the opening kickoff was controlled by Queen's early. Alex Vreeken (Kinesiology) connected with his top target, Nathan Falconi (Health Studies) in the first quarter. A quick release from Vreeken found Falconi, who did the rest, zigging his way into the end zone for six points. Guelph would respond with a touchdown, 7-7, the score after the first quarter.

Queen's Football opened the second quarter by re-taking the lead. Backup quarterback Anthony Lio (Kinesiology) followed his blockers into the end zone for a touchdown. 

In what has already been a historic season for Queen's Football, grabbing the 500 win last weekend in Ottawa, another record was set on Saturday. Iain St. Arnault (Economics) passed Jimmy Allin for the most single-season punt return yards, eclipsing the former record of 638 yards in the second quarter. 

The fireworks continued for Queen's on offence. Vreeken and Falconi connected once again for six points. Falconi stabbed the football out of the air with one hand before walking his way into the end zone. Queen's would lead the Gryphons 21-11 at the half.

The only points of the third quarter would be off the foot of Tyler Mullan (Arts & Science) who was consistent as ever on Saturday, drilling a 22-yard field goal. The third quarter highlight came from the Queen's minister of defence, Ashton Miller-Melancon (Arts & Science). A Guelph heave to the end zone was intercepted by Miller-Melancon, his second INT of the season.
 
The Gryphons would score early in the fourth quarter to cut the Queen's lead to six points, but that would be all Guelph could do on offence late on Saturday. The Queen's defence would slam the door on the visitors, forcing two interceptions late in the final quarter of the game. Liam Sutherland (Economics) first, followed by Justin Pace (Economics) on the next possession. 

"It's a character win," said the Head Coach of Queen's Football, Steve Snyder. "It feels like every game is going to be a tight one. We're fighting for our lives at this point, which I think a lot of teams are. It's definitely a character win for us. Pulling one out, when you're playing in the last minute and it still matters, and you have to be smart and play in those situations, it makes you a better football team."

Queen's football remains perfect at Richardson Stadium with the win over Guelph, the team will now hit the road and head to London for a rivalry match with the Mustangs.