The York University Lions football team will look to rebound from consecutive loses when they host the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday for the annual Homecoming game.
 
Kick-off is set for 5pm at Alumni Field and the game can also be seen online at OUA.tv.
 
The Lions have dropped two games in a row after beating the Windsor Lancers in Week 3 by a score of 29-22. They have had a pair of tough road games the last two weeks, visiting the No. 1 ranked Western Mustangs in Week 4 and traveling to Ottawa to play the No. 8 ranked Ottawa Gee-Gee's last weekend. The Lions have played well against some of the top teams in the country this season, but head into Week 6 of the 2018 season with a 1-4 record and sit in ninth place in the OUA standings.
 
The Lions receiving corps has been one of the bright spots for the team all season long and have proven their capable of game-breaking plays. Leading the way is veteran Colton Hunchak, who despite missing the Week 4 game against the Mustangs, leads the OUA in receptions with 40 on the season. He's also racked up 394 receiving yards on the season and has caught four of the team's six touchdown passes on the year. Not far behind Hunchak is Eric Kimmerly, who has caught 22 passes for 209 yards on the season, followed by Alex Daley, who comes into Week 6 with 19 catches, 202 receiving yards, and one touchdown reception. Sophomore Luther Hakunavanhu has also stepped into a bigger role in the team's offense this year, setting career-highs with 17 receptions and 205 yards half-way through the season. Hakunavanhu also caught the first touchdown pass of his career against Queen's in Week 2.
 
While the Lions have struggled with consistency on defence at times this season, they've shown they are capable of holding top-ranked teams offences in check. In Week 1 they held the Queen's Gaels to 17 points in the first-half and followed that up only allowing ten points in the first half to the Guelph Gryphons. They also held the Lancers, who had one of the top-ranked offences in the OUA coming into the game, to 22 points in their Week 3 win. Veteran defensive back Jacob Janke leads the Lions in tackles with 29.5 on the season and is tied for sixth in the OUA. Not far behind is linebacker Damian Jamieson, who ranks second on the team and 11^th in the OUA with 25 tackles. Defensive end Tevin McCarty is also coming off his most productive game of the season, as he picked up two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery against the Gee-Gee's last week.
 
The Lions will face a Warriors team that sits in fourth place in the OUA standings with a 3-2 record. They will be looking to bounce back from a blowout loss to Western last week, that saw them lose by a final score of 67-7. While the Mustang's held the Waterloo's offence in check, the Warriors still come into the game with one of the top-ranked offences in the league. They rank fifth in points per game (30.6) and are led by quarterback Tre Ford, arguably the top pivot in the OUA this season. Ford has completed 75.3% of his passes and leads the OUA in yards passing (1687) and touchdown passes (16). His main target has been Tyler Ternowski who has caught 35 passes for an OUA-leading 786 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
 
Defensively the Warriors have been a work in progress, allowing the most yards in the OUA per game at 504.6. They've been especially susceptible to the pass, allowing 386 yards per game in the air. With two high-powered offences matching up, the Homecoming game could be a high-scoring affair.
 
With a win against the Warriors, the Lions could put themselves in a position to challenge for a playoff spot. They have bye in Week 7, so they should be well-rested for the final two games of the season against the Carleton Ravens and cross-town rival Toronto Varsity Blues. The Warriors will also be off in Week 7 and will return to action in Week 8 against the McMaster Marauders.
 
The Homecoming game will feature many on-site promotions.  Come early, the first 100 fans receive a York Lions caps!  Also wear red and cheer loud all game for chances to win our 'Rock Your Red', 'Best Seats' or 'Fan of the Game' contests with great prizing from SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Wilson and the York Lions. Also join us pre-game as we celebrate our graduating athletes in an on-field ceremony and at halftime when we officially announce the name of our new York Lions mascot!  The Pride Shop will be on-site selling the latest in Lions apparel.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
REC Colton Hunchak – Ranks first in the OUA with 40 receptions and fourth in receiving yards with 394. Returned last game after missing Week 4 with an injury and had 11 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.
 
DE Tevin McCarty – Has started all five games for the Lions this year and leads the team with 2.5 sacks. Forced two fumbles and had a fumble recovery in last week's game against Ottawa.
 
RB Kayden Johnson – Leads the Lions with 192 rushing yards on the season and two rushing touchdowns. Has also caught eight passes for 110 yards.
 
Waterloo
 
QB Tre Ford – Leads the OUA in passing yards (1687) touchdown passes (16) in five games this season. Is also fourth in the OUA in rushing yards with 404.   
 
REC Tyler Ternowski – Ranks first in the OUA in receiving yards (786), receiving touchdowns (9), and is second in receptions (35).  
 
LB Kurtis Gray – Leads the Warriors in tackles with 29.5 on the season and has one pass break-up.