The Varsity Blues football team looks to return to a .500 record as they take on the No.5 McMaster Marauders this Thursday night at Alumni Stadium in Hamilton, Ont.
Toronto holds a 27-18-1 head-to-head record over McMaster since their first meeting in 1945. However, the Blues last win over the Marauders came on Sept. 21, 1996 when U of T came away with a 30-13 victory.
Those that count the Blues out must be reminded that under similar circumstances in 2010, U of T upset the then No. 2 Ottawa Gee-Gees.
Toronto is 2-3 and coming off a rain-riddled 13-6 loss to the Queen’s Gaels. With the No. 1 ranked defence in the OUA, the Blues turn their focus to the offensive side of the ball this week.
“We need to be more effective in getting the ball into the end zone,” said first-year head coach Greg Gary. “Our ball movement has definitely improved since Week 1 but we need to execute in the red zone.”
Fifth-year quarterback Andrew Gillis of Toronto is coming off a season-high 277-yard performance and has had many targets to choose from in standout receivers Alex Peirzchalski, Paul de Pass and Michael Prempeh.
Veteran linebacker Wilkerson DeSouza (Mississauga, Ont.) continues to impress onlookers after registering a combined 16 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two break-ups in the past two weeks.
The Marauders are coming off a 46-20 victory which saw them post 601 yards of total offence over the last-place Waterloo Warriors. The Marauders have the No. 2 offence in the OUA, averaging 500 yards per game.
Toronto will no doubt keep and eye on rookie running back Chris Pezetta (Burlington, Ont.), who had his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game on Saturday. Hamilton, Ont., native Michael DiCroce sits second among OUA receivers with 536 yards over five games.
Suspended quarterback Kyle Quinlan is eligible to return to the field on Thursday, after missing the last three games for disciplinary reasons.
Source: Toronto Sports Info
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
CFC Youth Game Spotlight: Quebec OL ready to lock it down
