The York University Lions football team made the trip downtown this Saturday to compete against their in-city rivals, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. The Varsity Blues are coming off of a loss to the Carleton Ravens and are looking for their first victory since their season-opening win against the Waterloo Warriors. York, meanwhile, is looking for their first victory of the season and of the Dexter Janke era.
 
This is the 54th edition of the Red & Blue bowl. The Lions are looking for their 20th Argo Cup in this series, with their last one coming in 2019.
   
York's defence snuffed out the Blues opening possession, forcing a turnover on downs which gave the offence great field position in Toronto territory. York was able to score a field goal off the foot of Nathan Walker to take an early 3-0 lead. Blues kicker Sam Henke missed his first field goal attempt of the season, as York took possession late in the first quarter. However, Blues defensive back Brayden Parker made a great play on a Matt Linn throw for the interception to give the ball back to Toronto. York's defence held firm and limited the Blues to a field goal on the possession, heading into the second quarter tied with the Blues at 3-3.
 
Toronto forced a fumble on York's opening possession of the second quarter, but York forced a punt on the drive. Nathan Walker booted an excellent punt that pinned the Blues at their own 1-yard line. York's defence stuffed the run on that drive, which led to a punt attempt by Toronto. However, Toronto botched the snap, leading to the Blues to take the safety, giving York a 5-3 lead midway through the second frame. Toronto scored the first touchdown of the game off a pass from Kaleb O'Donoghue to Dane Hurley. Following the extra point, York was down 10-5 to Toronto. Lions kicker Tucker Almert added three points for York late in the second quarter, the field goal cut York's deficit to two and made the game 10-8 entering halftime.
 
York opened the second half with the ball behind their own 10-yard line. The Lions had a productive drive, which included a big scramble by quarterback Matt Linn. The possession ended with a field goal attempt by Tucker Almert that was just short of the goalposts and the game remained 10-8 in favour of the Blues. York came down with an interception courtesy of Brody Clark, though subsequently; York's offence was forced to punt. Tucker Almert nailed a 43-yard field goal late in the third quarter to give York an 11-10 lead. Toronto scored a rouge to tie the game at 11-11 to conclude the 3rd quarter.
 
York opened the fourth quarter with a bang! Avontae Mckoy made multiple Blues defenders miss on a long touchdown run to give York an 18-11 lead following the extra point. York added a rouge to make the score 19-11. Toronto scored a touchdown in the final minute of the fourth, as O'Donoghue and Hurley connected once again to make the game 19-17. Toronto failed to convert the 2-point conversion as O'Donoghue's pass bounced off of the hands of Hurley, keeping the score 19-17 in favour of York with thirty-six seconds remaining. Toronto attempted an onside kick that bounced around but was ultimately recovered by York. York ran down the clock to secure the 19-17 victory.
  The victory not only gave York their 20th Argo Cup in this series and their first win of the season it also marked their first win since September 3rd, 2022, which was a 1-0 forfeiture victory over the McMaster Marauders.
 
Looking Ahead: Coach Dexter Janke and his new pride of Lions will look to continue this momentum in Ottawa next Saturday, as the Lions take on the Carlton Ravens on September 28th at 4:00 pm.