FB vs. TOR – Oct. 6
Yaron So
57
Winner Toronto Varsity Blue TOR 2-4 , 2-4
3
York Lions YORK 0-7 , 0-7
Winner
Toronto Varsity Blue TOR
2-4 , 2-4
57
Final
3
York Lions YORK
0-7 , 0-7
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
TOR Toronto Varsity Blue 10 30 7 10 57
YORK York Lions 0 0 0 3 3

Game Recap: Football | | ARPAN KAUR // yorkulions.ca

LIONS FAIL TO RECLAIM ARGO CUP, DROP THIRD STRAIGHT RED & BLUE BOWL TO VARSITY BLUES

Under the glitz and glamour of the Friday night lights, the York University Lions football team faced their most bitter rivals, the Toronto Varsity Blues, in the 53rd Annual Red and Blue Bowl. 

Hopes were high for the Lions, who were looking to snap their six-game losing streak, but, despite some offensive flashes, a 30-point second quarter sunk the Lions as they bore their third consecutive Red and Blue Bowl loss at the hands of the Varsity Blues, with a final score of 57-3 at the York Lions Stadium.

Prior to the final home game of the season, a pregame ceremony celebrated the five graduating Lions led by the line backs, Braden Hart and Hunter Bannon, defensive end, Jason Janvier-Messier, defensive back, Nathan Brennan, and defensive lineman, Lerone Lindsay. The Lions would like to extend their appreciation to these dedicated student-athletes for their years of dedication and hard work.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • The Varsity Blues found their way on the scoreboard first when Luka Stoikos ran in a one-yard touchdown to give the visitors a 7-0 lead with eight minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
  • With two minutes remaining in the quarter, Sam Henke hit a 31-yard field goal to extend Toronto's lead to 10-0.
  • Blues quarterback Scott Barnett was sharp early, and drove his team down the field early in the second. He capped off the drive by finding Christopher Joseph for a 36-yard touchdown catch to give the Blues a 17-0 lead.
  • Shortly thereafter, Luca Pante picked off an Owen Webb pass following some miscommunication with his receiver and returned it all the way to the house to make it 24-0.
  • Jake Oseen scored back-to-back touchdowns late in the quarter on catches of 49 and 16 yards. Those were followed by a conceded safety from York, and the Varsity Blues lead 40-0 at the break. 
  • Despite a tough first half for the Lions, the squad showed signs of life with two crucial back-to-back interceptions, one by Avontae McKoy, who saw a good chunk of time in the Lions secondary in this one, playing on both sides of the ball before leaving injured in the fourth quarter.
  • The Lions had some strong drives in the third quarter orchestrated by rookie signal-caller Brayden Jupe, who replaced an injured Owen Webb, placing York in a favorable position to score their first home points of the year. However, this opportunity was short-lived, as Toronto regained possession of the ball thanks to two turnovers on downs.
  • The Blues scored another 17 points in the second off two touchdowns and a field goal.
  • However, the Lions would finally get those first points on the board on their final possession of the night. With 1:06 left on the clock, Tucker Almert broke the goose egg for York on an 18-yard field goal, eliciting a roar from the Lions faithful in attendance.
  • Despite that late bright spot, Toronto retained the Argo Cup thanks to a convincing 57-3 victory, their third consecutive Red & Blue Bowl victory.   

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions will hit the road for their final game of the season against the Windsor Lancers next Saturday, Oct. 21, with a 1:00 pm kickoff in Windsor.

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