It's Homecoming weekend for the York University Lions football team and the squad will hit the field on Saturday evening against the No. 9 nationally ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees.
 
The game kicks off at 5pm at Alumni Field. Fans can also tune in online to watch live on OUA.tv.
 
After years as a team with an offensive identity, the Lions have morphed into a strong defensive unit this season. The stats suggest another defensive battle awaits fans in attendance on Saturday as the Gee-Gees have also excelled on that side of the ball early in the season. Ottawa ranks fourth in the OUA after allowing 377 yards per game through its first two contests, while York is right behind them in fifth spot with 379.5 given up.
 
As a result, both teams have many players among the OUA defensive leaders. Reigning York male athlete of the week Talik Ehouman is tied for fourth with two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown last week against McMaster, Kevin Musai is tied for ninth with 2.5 sacks, Jacob Janke is tied for 12^th with four tackles for loss and Damian Jamieson is tied for 11^th with 5.9 tackles per game.
 
Ottawa's Mike Miller is tied for fifth in the OUA with seven tackles per game and Reshaan Davis is second with four sacks and fifth with five tackles for loss.
 
The Lions are still looking for their first win of the season after a tough start to the year. Despite the record, fans have been treated to a pair of close games in the first two at Alumni Field. Last week, the Lions held a 13-9 advantage over the No. 5 nationally ranked McMaster Marauders when the fourth quarter began as part of a 27-9 loss, and on Labour Day against the Laurier Golden Hawks the score was 15-10 down the stretch before a late field goal made the final 18-10.
 
Saturday's contest marks the first career start for second-year quarterback Noah Craney, head coach Warren Craney's son, who will be under centre in place of the injured Brett Hunchak. He has dressed in each of the first 12 games of his career and seen some action on the field, going 12-of-23 for 143 yards and one touchdown throughout that stretch.
 
The Gee-Gees opened the season with their bye week and since then have gone 2-1. They began with a 35-22 loss to McMaster on the road and then returned home to defeat the Queen's Gaels 44-27. Last week they played an absolute thriller in front of their home fans, erasing a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 25-22 over the Laurier Golden Hawks. The comeback started with 12 minutes remaining on a fumble recovery in the end zone and was complete with 1:45 left when the Gee-Gees took their first lead of the game on a passing touchdown.
 
Ottawa's starting quarterback is Ben Maracle, a first-year starter like Craney. He has completed 38 of 75 passes for 522 yards and four touchdowns so far this year.
 
Last year's meeting between the two teams resulted in a 42-16 victory by the Gee-Gees on their home field. They have won five straight match-ups, with York's last win coming in 2012 by a score of 47-36.
 
The Lions won't be at home again until Friday, Oct. 11, when the squad hosts the Toronto Varsity Blues in the 50^th annual Red & Blue Bowl under the lights at Alumni Field. Next week they will head to Waterloo, Ont., to face the Warriors on Saturday afternoon, followed by their bye week.