The York University Lions football team plays host to the No. 5 nationally-ranked Guelph Gryphons in their annual Homecoming game at York Stadium this afternoon.
 
For the second straight week, the Lions will face one of the top teams in the CIS when the Gryphons come to campus on Saturday. Guelph moved up one spot to No. 5 in the national rankings this week after recording its second straight victory to open the season, 30-19 over the Laurier Golden Hawks. They began the season with a dominant 78-7 win over the Waterloo Warriors in Week 1 and are one of four teams in the OUA with an undefeated mark this season.
 
The Gryphons have been perennial contenders in the OUA over the last few years but haven't yet been able to turn that potential into a Yates Cup title. They have played in two of the last three championship finals, falling to the McMaster Marauders both last season and in 2012.
 
The Lions are coming off a tough 74-10 defeat to the No. 3 Western Mustangs in London, Ont., on Labour Day. Back at home this week, they will be looking to improve upon their performance from Week 1 in which they amassed over 400 yards of offence in a 38-21 loss to the Golden Hawks.
 
York and Guelph did not face off last year, and their most recent meeting in 2013 resulted in a 33-7 Gryphons victory in Guelph, Ont. The last time the two teams squared off at York Stadium was in the season finale in 2012, which was won by the Gryphons by a score of 39-18.
 
As part of the game-day festivities, fans can win an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express at halftime and there will also be a Rock Your Red draw for Pizza Pizza prizes and a "best seats in the house" contest.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
DE Hussein Hazime – Leads the Lions and ranks third in the OUA with an average of 9.5 tackles per game through two contests. He also had 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a pass break-up.
 
REC Nathaniel Pinto – York's male athlete of the week for the period ending Aug. 30 after a seven-catch, 108-yard debut against Laurier. He is 10^th in the OUA with 85.5 yards per game and has scored a touchdown in each contest.
 
QB Eric Kimmerly – The first-year pivot makes his first career start at home this afternoon after starting at quarterback last week against Western. He is 21-of-33 for 240 yards and one touchdown so far this season, and has also rushed for 94 yards on 12 carries.
 
Guelph
 
DB Nick Parisotto – The OUA and CIS defensive player of the week after a pair of interceptions against Laurier last week, one in the end zone and the other on the goal line. He is second on the team with an average of 9.5 tackles in two games.
 
REC Jacob Scarfone – Leads the OUA with 338 receiving yards on 16 catches and has scored four touchdowns.
 
QB James Roberts – The starting pivot this year after serving as the back-up last season. Through two games he is 37-of-63 for 645 yards and has thrown four touchdowns.