Football | 9/25/2026 1:00:00 PM
The York University Lions football team returns to action with a formidable test against the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday afternoon. The Lions will look to use the extra rest to their advantage as and hand the Hawks their fourth straight defeat.
The Lions started the season off in a thrilling contest against the Carleton Ravens, securing a 35-34 win off a last-second 47-yard field goal from Nathan Walker. Since that 35-point showing, the offense has stagnated, scoring seven points against Western and three against McMaster, both leading to losses to push the Lions to a 1-2 record going into the bye week. After a week off, the Lions will look to regroup and find an offensive spark against the Golden Hawks.
Laurier has yet to live up to their standards so far in their first season without former head coach Michael Faulds at the helm. Faulds left Laurier after last season to take the vacant head coaching position of his alma mater Western Mustangs. Since his departure, the Golden Hawks have had some growing pains. After finishing up as the runner-up inach the Yates Cup last year, Laurier opened the season ranked fourth in the preseason U SPORTS Top 10. They won their season opener 33-28 over Guelph, and then lost their next three to Windsor, Ottawa and McMaster. The last two were each by just two points, signalling that their 1-3 record is perhaps slightly deceiving.
Saturday's match marks the first time these two teams have faced off each other since the opener of the 2022 season, a game which saw Laurier emerge victorious at York Lions Stadium. The last time the Lions visited Knight-Newbrough Field at University Stadium in Waterloo was to kick off the 2021 campaign, a game the Golden Hawks also won. The Lions last beat the Golden Hawks on Sept. 7, 2013, a 33-20 victory.
As for this matchup, it is a key one as the OUA playoff picture begins to take shape. Both teams will look to get back on the winning track and earn their second win of the season on Saturday. The age-old debate of rest versus rust will be the question, with the Lions coming off the bye while Laurier won't enjoy its bye until Week 7.
Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. as the Lions will look to spoil the Hawks Homecoming in front of a sold-out crowd in Waterloo at Knight-Newbrough Field at University Stadium. The game will be available live on OUA TV.
