Both squads are coming off losses in their season openers on Labour Day. The Lions, who continue to be one of the youngest teams in the CIS after two major recruiting classes under head coach Warren Craney, put up a strong effort on the road against the No.6 nationally-ranked Queenβs Gaels before falling by a score of 48-13 at Richardson Stadium in Kingston, Ont. Earlier that day, the Gee-Gees found themselves on the wrong end of a 63-18 blowout at the hands of the then-No.10 Windsor Lancers (who have since moved up to No. 7).
A fast start will be on the minds of both teams on Saturday afternoon as both of them let the game get away early.
The Lions got off to a slow beginning in their contest after first-game jitters took over for many of the rookies. The score was 35-0 in favour of the Gaels at the half, which effectively put the Lions out of contention. They did, however, play a strong second half and stayed even with the Gaels throughout, finishing with 13 points each in the final two frames.
Quarterback Myles Gibbon, of Montreal, was impressive in his debut with the Lions, finishing 20-of-39 for 241 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was also the teamβs leading rusher with 68 yards on 12 carries.
One of his touchdowns was to second-year receiver Devontae Hobbs, of Mississauga, Ont., who had a game-high 109 yards receiving, including the score that went for 54 yards. The other touchdown was scored by fourth-year wideout William Austin of St. Catharines, Ont., the teamβs leading receiver last season. He caught a six-yard pass from Gibbon in the end zone early in the third quarter for Yorkβs first score of the game and finished with five catches for 46 yards.
The Gee-Gees had an even more difficult time getting going at the start of both the first and third quarters. They allowed the Lancers 22 points in the first quarter and 24 in the third while not scoring any themselves.Β Β Their first two touchdowns came in the second on a pair of rushing scores by Mack Tommy and Franck Marvel Ngandui. Their other points came on a field goal and a rouge, both converted by Matthew Falvo.
In their only meeting last season the Gee-Gees emerged victorious on their home field, defeating the Lions 65-12 in Week 6.Β Β They will not meet again in the regular season this year.
Saturdayβs contest is also the annual Frosh Frenzy game, and more than 4,000 first-year students are expected in attendance to take in their first university football contest. In addition to the action on the field, many fun activities are planned for the fans in attendance.
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