Waterloo Warriors head coach Chris Bertoia made his much-anticipated debut, but one of the top teams in the OUA made sure to crash his party.
 

Good luck to @bertwarriorfbal in his first game as head coach for his alma mater @WlooWarriors! pic.twitter.com/2YnvA26nbY

— Ben O'Donovan-Schalk (@coach_bods) August 30, 2015

The Guelph Gryphons racked up 708 yards of total offense, and held the Warriors to just one touchdown as they rolled past Waterloo 78-7 in week one of OUA football action under the lights at Warrior Field Sunday night.

Guelph quarterback and Cambridge native James Roberts threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns, while Johnny Augustine added 149 yards and three scores of his own on the ground. Jacob Scarfone made eight catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns for the Gryphons, Yates Cup finalists a season ago.

Waterloo signal-caller Lucas McConnell (Waterford) was under pressure all night, throwing for 111 yards and one touchdown in his first game as the Warriors' undisputed starter. Rookie fullback Kevin Boismier (London) scored the only major for the hosts, a 6-yard hookup with McConnell in the closing seconds of the first half.

There is just something about a @OUASport night game! #goblackgogld #WarriorField @WlooWarriors pic.twitter.com/p1TgdeapB4

— Steve Brooks (@steve_brooks) August 31, 2015

The Gryphons got rolling early, scoring two plays into their first drive of the season. The visitors really stepped on the gas in a dominant second quarter, scoring 29 points – including a highlight-reel 79-yard punt return touchdown from Ryan Nieuwesteeg.

The Gryphons went to backup quarterback Alex Skinner midway through the third quarter, and the Vanier Cup-winning transfer student from Laval picked up right where Roberts left off. His relief appearance included a 67-yard hookup with Scarfone in the fourth quarter.

Among the bright spots for the Warriors was the play of defensive back Jordan Hoover (Sault Ste. Marie), who registered a fumble recovery and an interception to go along with 3 tackles. Fellow cornerback Christian Mahler (Sault Ste. Marie) was a force in the ball pursuit game all night, leading the team with 8.5 tackles.

The Warriors will now regroup and prepare for their first road game of the season, where they'll travel to the nation's capital to take on the Carleton Ravens on September 6. Kickoff is scheduled for 1pm.