The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team travels north to take on the Lions in the 44th annual Red & Blue Bowl this Thursday, October 10 at York Stadium.

Kick off is set for 7 p.m. Live stats and streaming will be available at varsityblues.ca.

Toronto is out for revenge after York snapped the Blues five-year Argo Cup streak with a 36-24 win last season at Varsity Centre. That win marked York's first over Toronto since 2007.  Toronto holds a 26-17-0 head-to-head record over their York counterparts since their first meeting in 1970. 

The Blues and Lions hold identical 2-4 records heading into Week 7 of OUA football action, making Thursday night's contest a must-win for either team's playoff hopes.

U of T came up with a big 50-10 win over the Carleton Ravens in Week 5 and are coming off a bye week, while the Lions fell 33-7 to the Gryphons last Friday night in Guelph.

"We've had a good couple of weeks to rest and work on some specifics," said Varsity Blues head coach Greg Gary. "York is a great rivalry and is always very competitive for us. We're looking forward to the challenge."

Third-year pivot Simon Nassar (Toronto) has stepped in as U of T's starting QB, replacing an injured Chris Jugovic (Hamilton, Ont.). Nassar is coming off a monster game, where he threw for 343 yards and four majors en route to OUA offensive player of the week honours.

Fifth-year Blues receiver Paul de Pass currently ranks third in the province with 583 receiving yards in six games. The Ajax, Ont., native is closing in on U of T's all-time career receiving yards record, sitting 283 yards shy of Mark Magee's 2,385 record (1977-81) with two games remaining in the regular season.

Fourth-year receiver Alex Pierzchalski also had a big game versus the Ravens, with eight catches for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Pierzchalski ranks 10th in the OUA with 72 yards per game. Third-year running back Aaron Milton (Whitby, Ont.) leads the Blues on the ground, averaging 75 yards per game.

Dylan Gordon leads Toronto's defensive corps. The Cambridge, Ont., native and third-year linebacker has totalled 40 tackles in six games, while veteran Harrison Beeforth ranks third in the OUA with six sacks.

Toronto's defence will have to look out for York's Errol Brooks, who ranks second in the province with 683 rushing yards and three majors. Quarterback Miles Gibbons averages over 200 yards per game, while James Tuck leads the Lions with 36 tackles. 

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