Sabercats trampled by Guelph rushing attack

Using one of the finest rushing performances on Rocky DiPietro Field in recent memory, the Guelph Bears mauled the Sabercats 41-29 on Saturday afternoon.

Guelph's talented running back Nick Fitzgibbons rushed for 304 yards on 34 carries and added four touchdowns, as the Sabercats' defense had difficultly containing the slippery runner, who broke numerous tackles thorughout.

The loss was a serious blow to the Sabercats playoff aspirations as they fall to 4-3 with one game remaining in the Ontario Varsity Football League regular season.

Following a bye this coming weekend, the Sabercats will conclude the regular season on Saturday, July 22 with a must win game against the Toronto Thunder at 1 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field.

The Sabercats have fallen from a shot at home field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs to a three-way tie for the final two spots in the conference with Brantford and Brampton.

Against Guelph, Kofi Osei's touchdown run from nine yards out put the Sabercats ahead 7-4 in the first quarter.

In the second frame, Fitzgibbons' 54 yard touchdown run and Jesse Bellamy's 13 yard reception in the closing seconds gave the Bears an 18-7 lead at the half.

The Sabercats clawed back into a 22-18 lead in the third quarter as Jeff Greco scored on a 12 yard run, Joe Storozuk hauled in the two point convert and Osei ran for his second major from a yard out.

Fitzgibbons eventually wore the Sabercats defense down and took over the fourth quarter with scoring runs of nine, five and 22 yards.

The Sault briefly held a 29-27 lead midway through the final quarter after Anthony Amadio scored a 47 yard touchdown on a pass from Frank Weise, who also kicked three converts in the game, on a fake punt.

The game was Weise's final in a Sabercats uniform, marking an end to a solid career in the blue and gold. Weise, along with Sabercats running backs coach Anthony Orazietti, are off to play junior football in Victoria, British Columbia.

Osei led the Sabercats rushing attack with 79 yards on 19 carries while Greco added 37 yards on 10 attempts. Quarterback John Mullin completed eight of 19 passes for 88 yards and three interceptions. Amadio caught four passes for 78 yards.

Defensively, Zach Clement recorded nine tackles while Weise made eight tackles and recovered a fumble. Pat Murray added eight tackles and an interception, Jordan Verdone made 4.5 tackles and a sack, Adam Elliott recorded five tackles and Jon Day 3.5 plus an interception.

The Sabercats also inducted the first two players into the team's Hall of Fame on this day. Ryan Maunu and Gavin Cond were honoured during a half time ceremony. For further details on the inductees, please click here.