The Yates Cup will be on the line as the Western Mustangs host the Guelph Gryphons at TD Stadium on Saturday.
 
Saturday's game will be the 108th playing of the Ontario football championship and it will feature the two best teams in the OUA this year. Due to scheduling, this will be the first time the Mustangs and Gryphons meet, although they have been on a collision course that most OUA fans have seen coming all year. The last loss the Mustangs suffered was in last years OUA semi final at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, so there will be no doubt that Western will be seeking revenge. Western head coach Greg Marshall will be looking for his tenth Yates Cup and fifth with the Mustangs.
 
To reach the finals, both teams had to survive well-contested physical battles against lower ranked but highly motivated and well prepared opponents. Western hosted Laurier in what proved to be the Mustangs most competitive game of the year. Western turned the ball over four times, but untimely penalties eventually sunk the Golden Hawks as the Mustangs survived by a score of 32-18. Guelph was locked in a tight battle with the scrappy Carleton Ravens, but pulled away late to secure a 33-21 victory.
 
However, for the Mustangs, their regular season was a bit a different story. The Mustangs scored a CIS record 64 touchdowns to post 494 points, another CIS record, on their way to a dominating 8-0 regular season. Quarterback Former OUA MVP and team captain Will Finch threw for touchdowns and completed almost 70 percent of his passes on the year. Finch was effective in running a fast paced and balanced no huddle offense, and gave a calming influence to the frantic pace of the system all year. Finch, however, suffered an injury in the semi-final against Laurier that forced him to leave the game. Backup Stevenson Bone, who has received considerable playing time with big leads this year, stepped in for Finch and played well en route to securing the victory for Western. If Finch is unable to play, Bone will be looking to avenge the loss he suffered when he started last year's playoff game against Guelph. 
 
The depth that the Western backfield provided was truly the centerpiece of their offense. As proof, while none of the four feature backs were in the top two for individual rushing yards, the Mustangs led the CIS by almost 1000 yards in team yards. The running back trio of Alex Taylor, Yannick Harou and Adam Sinclair made up the most dynamic backfield combo in recent CIS history. All three backs can hurt opposing defenses in different ways, and that showed in the stats as the Mustangs averaged an astounding 368.4 yards on the ground this year. Harou, the short yardage and punch in specialist, led the team in touchdowns with 14. Even the fourth string back, rookie Cedric Joseph, was given enough opportunity to be named an OUA All-Rookie on Tuesday. Joseph rushed for 399 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
 
The defense for the Mustangs is highlighted by safety Jesse McNair and end Ricky-Osei Kusi. They anchor opposite ends of the defense but play contrasting styles. McNair has quietly led the team in tackles with 45 by making sure-footed plays in the middle of the field while capably providing support to his corners. Osei Kusi is a hurricane on the line, swirling past linemen with spin moves and hand checks. Osei-Kusi is as dynamic a defensive player as you will. He led the team with seven sacks.
 
The defense has surrendered only 13.8 points a game, both good for tops in the OUA.
 
However, if there is one team that can stop the Mustangs ground attack, it is the Gryphons. Guelph only allowed 122.8 yards per game on the ground this year. Linebacker John Rush had 60 tackles this year and defensive lineman Blake McNeely had 3.5 sacks. Guelph also protects the pass well, intercepting 13 passes this year, second in the OUA to only Western.
 
The Gryphon offense is focused on the pass. Quarterback James Roberts, in his first full year as a starter, threw for 2236 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, Roberts can struggle with accuracy at times, throwing for 10 interceptions as well. Receiver Jacob Scarfone is Roberts' most reliable target, hauling in 57catches for 10 touchdowns. Roberts is able to accurately throw the deep ball considering the top six receivers on the team each at least have a play of 30 yards are more.
 
This game may come down to Western rushing attack against Guelph's run defense. The Mustang offensive line has been very good this year, but if Guelph is loading the tackle box they may have their hands full. The second level of the defense will be key, meaning the marquee matchup of Taylor versus Rush will be showcased.
 
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at what promises to be a raucous TD Stadium.