Box Score The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team dropped their 2014 season opener, 53-17, to the Laurier Golden Hawks on Monday night (Sept. 1) at Varsity Centre.
 
The Blues struggled on the ground, gaining only 70 rushing yards, to Laurier's 329. Hawks 2013 OUA second team all-star Dillon Campbell of Whitby, Ont., rushed for a career-high, and Laurier school record, 293 yards and two majors in the win.
 
Fourth-year U of T quarterback Simon Nassar (Toronto) went 16-for-28 for 234 yards and one major, while third-year pivot Chris Jugovic of Hamilton, Ont., was 11-of-21 for 99 yards.
 
Sophomore receiver Llevi Noel (Toronto) notched a career-high 190 receiving yards on nine catches, with one touchdown, while second-year linebackers Corey Williams (Mississauga) and Brittley Mokube (Brampton, Ont.) led the Blues with 5.5 tackles in the loss.
 
Laurier came storming out of the gates and got out to a 17-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

After a single on their first possession, quarterback James Fracas hit Marcus Arkarakas all alone in the middle of the field for the 46-yard touchdown reception.  Toronto conceded a safety and the Hawks continued to press as Campbell found a hole and rushed 64 yards down the field for the major.
 
The Blues got on the board on the last play of the first when Nassar connected a 79-yard strike with Noel for the touchdown. Laurier was up 17-7 after 15 minutes of action.
 
The Hawks struck again early in the second quarter, capping off an eight-play, 84-yard drive with a six-yard Greg Nyhof touchdown reception.
 
After Laurier and Toronto traded 42- and 32-yard field goals, respectively, the Blues charged down the field and ended the half in fine fashion. One third and three, U of T faked a field goal and back-up quarterback Marcus Hobbs ran for a first down, leaving Toronto on the two-yard line. On the ensuing play, Hobbs found a wide open offensive lineman, Danny Sprukulis, in the end zone.  The Blues trailed 27-17 at halftime.
 
Laurier came back and took charge, shutting out the Blues for the second half. The Hawks added two touchdowns, one on a 66-yard touchdown reception from Nyhof and held a 46-17 heading into the final frame.
 
Campbell notched the final TD of the game midway through the fourth, rushing for a 98 yard touchdown, and Laurier came away with the 53-17 victory.
 
Fracas finished the game 17-of-24 for 256 yards and three touchdowns, while Nyhof had five catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Arkarakas ended with three receptions for 69 yards and one major.
 
The Varsity Blues are back at it this Saturday, September 6 as they head to Guelph, Ont., to take on the Gryphons in Week 2 action. Game time is set for 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

U of T returns home the following Saturday, September 13 as they host the York Lions in the 45^th annual Red and Blue Bowl at Varsity Centre at 1 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance and save here!

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.