Varsity Blues edge Lions in victory (with VIDEO)

Photo credit Toronto Athletic

TORONTO - The Varsity Blues football team defeated the York Lions 24-19 to claim their third consecutive Argo Cup in the 41st annual Red & Blue Bowl on Saturday, September 18 at Varsity Centre.

U of T’s defensive corps led the way with five sacks, four interceptions and two pass breakups.  Veteran lineman Adam Fehler (Toronto) had six tackles, two sacks and one interception, while defensive back Derek Batchelor of Mississauga, Ont., had a game-high 10 solo tackles and one interception.  Fourth-year linebacker Wilkerson DeSouza also chipped in with 8.5 tackles and one sack in the win.

Milton led Toronto offensively with 146 all-purpose yards (82 rushing, 64 receiving) and one touchdown, while Gillis had 83 rushing yards and two touchdowns, also going 15-for-24 and 143 passing yards.  Fourth-year Waterloo transfer Hugo Lopez of Newmarket, Ont., had eight solo tackles and one interception and was named the Varsity Blues player of the game for his efforts.

After a slow start for both teams and a scoreless first frame, Blues defensive back Xhejsi Hasko recovered a Michael Boyd fumble that led to a two-play, 15-yard drive.  Quarterback Andrew Gillis of Markham, Ont., capped that off with a three-yard rushing touchdown to get Toronto on the board.
 
York kicker Ramsey Aburaneh (Cambridge, Ont.) put one through the uprights midway through the second; however, rookie running back Aaron Milton of Whitby, Ont., answered back for Toronto, scoring his first career OUA touchdown on a 49-yard run to give the Blues a 14-3 lead at halftime.

Gillis added his second major of the game and extended the lead early in the third quarter on a six-yard run into the end zone.

The Lions roared back in the fourth as Dallas Smith (Welland, Ont.) scored on a two-yard run to end a 14-play, 105-yard run.  Both teams then exchanged safeties and Toronto would add a single before third-year slot back Alex Bugdahn of Toronto made good on a 41-yard reception from York quarterback Nick Coutu to cut the lead to five with less than two minutes remaining. 

Coutu (St. Catharines, Ont.) led all players with 102 rushing and a career-high 320 passing yards. Jonelle Tolbert of Mississauga, Ont., made 13 receptions for 146 yards and Steven Reading (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) had a team-high seven solo tackles in the loss.

The Varsity Blues (1-3) head into a bye week, before the host the No. 2 Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday, October 2 at Varsity Centre.  Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.

Source:

Toronto Sports Info