The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team was blanked 30-0 by the University of Guelph Gryphons on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 27) at Alumni Stadium in Guelph.
The loss drops the Blues regular season record to 2-3 and marks the first time that Toronto has been shut out this season.
The crushing blow for the Blues again came in the first minutes of the game. After the Blues opening drive in which they were unable to convert deep in Gryphons territory, Guelph’s quarterback Justin Dunk completed a 91-yard touchdown pass to wideout Jedd Gardner on their first play from scrimmage to put the home side up 7-0.
The game remained close throughout the first half, however it was the Gryphons who managed two Rob Maver (Brampton, Ont.) field goals in the second quarter to extend Guelph’s lead to 13-0 at the end of the first half.
Converting possessions into points was a key facture to the Blues inability to put points on the board. Although Toronto held possession of the ball for over 60% of the game, the team was unable of make good of scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Although the Blues out-rushed the Gryphons on this day, they continued to have difficulties getting the ball into the end zone once inside the red zone. Jonathan Wright (Belleville, Ont.) racked up 71 yards on 14 carries to lead the Blues, while veteran Mark Stinson (Calgary, Alta.) carried the ball 12 times, tallying 51 yards on the ground.
Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.) led the Gryphons running game, carrying the ball 14 times for 71 yards and one touchdown in the third quarter, capitalizing on Blues turnover in their own end and stretching the Guelph lead to 20-0.
Toronto could not recover in the fourth despite some great individual efforts by linebackers Wilkerson DeSouza (Mississauga, Ont.) and Scott Smith (Toronto, Ont.). DeSouza led the defence with 10 tackles, while Smith had nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Toronto safety Derek Batchelor (Mississauga, Ont.) also contributed nine tackles and Ottawa native Kyle Kennedy had seven and a goal-line interception in the second half.
The Varsity Blues are back on the road next weekend and travel to Hamilton to face the (2-3) McMaster Marauders on Friday, Oct. 3 at Ron Joyce stadium. Game time is schedule for 7 p.m.
