Theo Manto (Photos: Marc Lafleur)
OTTAWA (September 29, 2025) - The Carleton defence stumbled on Saturday as the Ravens fell to the Guelph Gryphons by a score of 55-28.
It began as a night with cause for celebration, as the Carleton Ravens hosted the Guelph Gryphons for their annual Senior Night at TAAG Park, honouring the players who would be moving on at the end of the season.
Following quick 3-and-outs to start the game, the Ravens looked to take advantage early as starting quarterback Tristan Lefebvre sailed a long throw downfield, which was picked off and returned for a touchdown by the Gryphon's defence for the first score of the game.
After a successful extra point, Keyshawn Reid received his second kick of the game for an impressive 59 yards; however, an illegal block by the Ravens' special teams forced the ball back to their own 15-yard line.
Just a few plays later, Lefebvre finds Tristan Ready downfield for a 69-yard reception, putting the Ravens in great position to tie the game early as Dante Spadaccini ran it in to even the score.
Guelph responded with another relentless drive, where, despite a touchdown called back for an offensive holding penalty - one of two they had in the quarter - they were able to push through the defence for their second score of the evening.
Now down 21-7 in the second quarter, the Ravens would force a fumble and go back to Spadaccini as he scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, bringing it back to a one-possession game.
The Ravens then put on their best defensive showing, forcing another punt and gaining the football in a dangerous position, where another connection between Lefebvre and Ready tied the game 21-21.
Unfortunately, the Ravens would be unable to keep the Guelph offence at bay, as the score would settle 35-21 at halftime.
In the second half, the struggles continued for the Ravens' defence, as penalties and missed assignments led to another Gryphons touchdown.
With the third quarter running down, and Guelph now leading 49-21, the Ravens' offence had little to show for their efforts before quarterback Elijah Barnes pushed through for the touchdown, breathing some life into the packed TAAG Park crowd.
Though they never gave up on the game, the Ravens would be unable to score in the final frame, as the scoreboard showed 55-28, and the Guelph Gryphons went home with the victory. With the loss, Carleton moves to a 2-3 record on the year.
Postgame, the message from the Ravens was clear: they have their sights set on the playoffs and, despite the loss, feel confident and motivated to get there.
“We still got a shot at the playoffs, so we just gotta keep our heads up… Correct the little things we didn’t do right and stay focused and motivated,” Dante Spadaccini said.
The next time the Ravens suit up will be Sunday, October 5th at TD Place, where they are set to take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees (3-2) in the annual Panda Game, looking to put an end to their four game drought.
