The Guelph Gryphons kept it close at halftime, but the defending Vanier Cup champion Western Mustangs picked up from where they left off in 2021.
The Gryphons gave up 24 second half points, and couldn't find the end zone, losing 34-11 in London Saturday.
Guelph opened the scoring in the second quarter with the first of three field goals on the day from Eric Stranz.
He kicked his second of the day right before halftime to send the Gryphons into the locker room trailing 10-6.
But Stranz's third field goal – a 35-yarder in the third – as well as a safety to start the fourth was all the team could muster in the final 30 minutes.
Western scored two touchdowns in the fourth to put things out of reach.
Shawn Lal went 13-for-25 for 107 yards, but threw three interceptions. Fourth-year running back Juwan Jeffrey's 49 yards on the ground led the team. Jeffrey also hauled in 27 yards on two catches.
Compare that to Western, who had two running backs eclipse the century mark.
Keon Edwards collected 118 yards and two touchdowns, while Edouard Wanadi rushed for 105 yards. Wanadi led Western's attack in the air, bringing in 55 yards on two catches, including a 27-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
It was the third meeting between these two teams in less than a year.
Guelph opened the 2021 season with a 23-21 win over Western, before the Mustangs eliminated the Gryphons in last year's OUA semifinal with a 33-12 decision.
Guelph will host the Windsor Lancers in their home opener Labour Day Monday at 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
