Box Score Mike Fortino’s 16-yard field goal with six seconds remaining would prove to be U of T’s demise as the Varsity Blues football team fell 15-13 to the host Guelph Gryphons in their 2010 season opener on Wednesday, September 1 at Alumni Stadium.

Despite two punt blocks in the second quarter to take the lead into halftime, the Blues could not hold on for the win on this day. U of T struggled to penetrate the defence, amassing only 50 rushing yards to Guelph’s 192 and going 0-for-3 on red zone scoring chances.

Toronto came out slow and the home squad quickly took advantage when quarterback Chris Rossetti scooped up a Nick Fitzgibbon flick pass and ran it to the end zone for the 30-yard touchdown reception.

Down 9-0 after conceding a safety in the second quarter, U of T’s special teams unit began to rally the troops. Third-year linebacker Taylor Shergold (Toronto) blocked and recovered Evan Short’s punt to set up a 19-yard field goal by Andrew Lomasney (Toronto, Ont., North Toronto C.I.) and get the Blues on the board.

On the ensuing drive, rookie linebacker Chris Johnson followed in Shergold’s footsteps when he blocked another of Short’s punts, sending the ball into Walter Cariazo’s hands for a Toronto touchdown. The Blues held a 10-9 lead at halftime.

Guelph would regain the lead in the third when Short knocked a 20-yard field goal through to put the Gryphons up 12-10.

Nearing the end of the fourth, Toronto came up big when quarterback Andrew Gillis of Markham, Ont. found sophomore receiver Paul de Pass (Ajax, Ont.) along the sideline for a game-high 49-yard reception that put the Blues one yard shy of the end zone.

Despite their best efforts, Toronto could not find a way through and would have to settle for a field goal, leaving less than two minutes left on the clock. Fortino’s 16-yard field goal capped off an eight-play, 70-yard drive to secure the win.

Gillis went 12-for-25 picking up 158 yards through the air, while also leading the team in rushing with 24 yards. Sebastian Magalas of Burlington, Ont. was the Blues top receiver, pulling in two passes for 37 yards. Wilkerson DeSouza, Adam Fehler, Kyle Kennedy and Derek Batchelor each recorded a team-high five solo tackles in the loss.

The Varsity Blues return to the gridiron this Monday, September 6 when they host the Windsor Lancers in their 2010 home opener at Varsity Centre. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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