Box Score The Varsity Blues football team dropped a 21-9 decision to the No. 1 Western Mustangs on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Fifth-year veteran Andrew Gillis of Toronto became only the sixth Varsity Blues quarterback in history to throw for over 4,000 career passing yards.  Gillis came into the game 173 yards short of the mark and surpassed it at the beginning of the third quarter, connecting a seven-yard pass to veteran receiver Michael Prempeh.

Gillis was 16-of-36 for 260 yards on the day.  Sophomore receiver Alex Pierzchalski of London, Ont., led all receivers with four catches for 63 yards, while Paul de Pass had two receptions for 60 yards.

Fourth-year defensive back Dorian Munroe of Miami, Fla., was named the Varsity Blues player of the game after recording six tackles, one forced fumble and one sack.  Fifth-year linebacker Scott Smith had eight tackles and one sack, while Kevin Asare added seven tackles in the loss.

Western running back Nathan Riva took advantage of the wet and windy conditions and had a great day on the ground.  The Lasalle, Ont., native accounted for 218 of Western’s 304 rushing yards and added one touchdown in the win.

Tyler Varga had the only score of the first quarter, capping off a nine-play, 59-yard opening drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown, his 15th of the season. 

Andrew Lomasney got the Blues on the board early in the second with a 27-yard field goal.  Toronto marched down the field on their next possession, thanks in large part to a 37-yard pitch and catch to Pierzchalski; however, the Mustangs defence came up with two big stops, leaving the Blues kicker with an easy 10-yard field goal to cut the lead to one (7-6).

On Toronto’s last series of the second quarter, Gillis connected a 43-yard pass with de Pass to set up Lomasney’s third field goal of the first half, this time from 20-yards out, giving Toronto a narrow 9-7 advantage at halftime.

The Mustangs came out ready to go in the second half and, despite an interception on their first drive, they took control of the game.  Riva scored a three-yard rushing TD at the midway point of the third to give Western the lead for good. 

On the last drive of the third quarter, rookie defensive lineman Ricky Osei-Kusi tackled the Blues Willie Sharpe short of the first down, after a fake punt to give the Mustangs great field position deep in Toronto territory.  Western kicker Lirim Hajrullahu would however miss a 19-yard field goal attempt, settling for a single and  a 15-9 lead heading into the final frame.

Western quarterback Ben Rossong connected a 20-yard strike with second-year Mustangs receiver Andrew Thibaudeau with five minutes remaining to stretch the score to 21-9 for the visitors. 

The Varsity Blues return to action next Saturday, October 22 when they host the Waterloo Warriors in their final home game of the regular season at Varsity Centre. Kick off is set for 1 p.m.