The York University Lions football team was defeated by the host and No. 3 nationally-ranked Western Mustangs 74-10 on Monday evening (Sept. 7) at TD Waterhouse Stadium in London, Ont.
 
The veteran Mustangs were simply too much for the Lions in the contest. They scored on each of their first five possessions, putting up four touchdowns and a field goal, to take a commanding lead the Lions weren't able to match.
 
Quarterback Eric Kimmerly (Oshawa, Ont.), making his first career start for the Lions, went 17-of-27 for 197 yards and one touchdown, which was completed to rookie receiver Nathaniel Pinto (Toronto) in the fourth quarter. He also threw two interceptions and added 63 rushing yards on just seven carries, including one run of 24 yards.
 
For the second game in a row, Pinto was the team's leading receiver with five catches for 63 yards. He was one of eight pass-catchers on the team with at least two receptions.
 
The Lions got their first points of the game just before halftime on a 45-yard field goal by kicker Nick Naylor (Abbotsford, B.C.). By that point, the Mustangs had scored 54 points and carried the 51-point lead into the half.
 
On defence, fifth-year defensive end Hussein Hazime (Toronto) had another impressive game with a team-high seven tackles, and he also recorded a sack and a forced fumble.
 
Western quarterback Will Finch was remarkable in the one half of action he saw, going 14-of-15 for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
 
The play of the night came courtesy of running back Alex Taylor, who returned a late fourth-quarter kick-off 107 yards for a touchdown. He also added two rushing touchdowns on four carries for 94 yards.
 
The Lions have a short week and will be back in action on Saturday (Sept. 12) against the No. 6 Guelph Gryphons in their annual Homecoming game. Kick-off is set for 1pm at York Stadium.