The York University Lions football team was defeated by a score of 53-19 by the No. 8 nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons at Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lions played three strong quarters despite missing key players at many positions and trailed by only seven at 26-19 heading into the fourth. But the Gryphons exploded for 27 points in the final frame to win with ease.
 
Third-year receiver Luther Hakunavanhu had a career game with eight receptions for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns, just six minutes apart in the third quarter. His first was a 20-yard strike four minutes in and the second a monstrous 75-yard bomb six minutes later.
 
Both scores were thrown by quarterback Brett Hunchak, who finished 26-of-43 for 355 yards and two interceptions to go along with the two touchdowns.

The home squad built a 12-0 lead in the first quarter before the Lions got on the board early in the second on a Guelph-conceded safety. The Gryphons added a touchdown and then the Lions recorded a field goal by rookie kicker Basem Attalla – starting in place of the injured Dante Mastrogiuseppe – to make it 19-5, where the score remained at halftime.
 
The Lions outscored the Gryphons in the third on the two Hakunavanhu touchdowns but could not continue that momentum in the fourth and Guelph took full advantage.
 
Gryphons quarterback Theo Landers went 12-of-23 for 230 yards and four touchdowns, three of them in the final quarter. He also led the team with 88 rushing yards on 10 carries.
 
Return specialist Clark Barnes continued his impressive start to the season with his third kick-off return touchdown in as many games.
 
The Lions fell to 0-3 with the loss while the Gryphons improved to 2-1.
 
Up next for the Lions is a home game against the McMaster Marauders on Saturday at Alumni Field. Kick-off is set for 1pm.