The University of Guelph’s historic football season ended Saturday. The Gryphons lost to the defending national champions, the University of Montreal, 25-10 in the Mitchell Bowl.

The game was played in U of G’s Alumni Stadium. It was the first time in 31 years that Guelph hosted a bowl game.

The Montreal Carabins now move on to the national championship game. They will play in the Vanier Cup against the University of British Columbia next week in Quebec City.

The Gryphons advanced to the Mitchell Bowl, one of the two semi-final games in Canadian Interuniversity Sport football, after winning the 108th Yates Cup Nov. 14. U of G beat the undefeated Western University Mustangs 23-17.

It was the first Ontario University Athletics championship win for the Gryphons since 1996.  It was U of G’s third trip to the Yates Cup in four seasons.

U of G went 7-1 during the regular season.