Box Score The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team dropped a 37-18 decision to the Queen's Gaels on Saturday, September 26 at Varsity Centre.

With the loss, the Blues drop to 1-3 and sit tied for seventh, while the Gaels improve to 3-2 and are tied for third in the OUA standings.

Second-year running back Divante Smith rushed 19 times for 127 yards, while fifth-year Blues quarterback Simon Nassar was 11-of-29 for 109 yards.

Third-year receiver and McGill Redmen transfer Dallon Kuprowski rushed eight times for 72 yards and a touchdown, while hauling in four receptions for 45 yards on the day. Running back Alex Malone also had a strong second half, ending the game with 10 rushes for 82 yards.

Rookie linebacker Matt Renaud led Toronto's defence with seven tackles, while veteran defensive back John Connors had 6.5 tackles. Adrian Bernard and Marcus Grandison each racked up six in the loss.
 

Leading 1-0 early in the second quarter, Gaels quarterback Nate Hobbs connected on a six-yard pass to Peter Hannon to give the visiting squad an 8-0 lead.

On the Gaels next drive, a 52-yard reception from Curtis Carmichael brought Queen's to Toronto's 1-yard line; however, the Blues defence came up with a big, forcing a Nate Hobbs fumble and Grandison was there to recover it.

Queen's extended their lead to 15-0 right before the end of the first half when Nate Hobbs connected on a 54-yard pass to Doug Corby for the major. 

On their first drive of the third quarter, the Blues capped off a 10-play, 65-yard drive with one-yard Marcus Hobbs rushing touchdown and a U of T single made it 15-8 for Queen's midway through the second quarter.

The Gaels restored their lead with a three-yard Justin Gleben rushing touchdown and held a 22-8 heading into the final frame.

With a full head of steam, Toronto fought their way back into the game early in the fourth quarter when Kuprowski scored on a five-yard run to get the Blues back within seven (22-15). First-year kicker Anthony Iafrate made good on a 14-yard field goal attempt and Queen's held a four-point lead with 6:02 to go in the game.

The Gaels marched down the field on the ensuing drive and capped it off with a Nate Hobbs one-yard rushing touchdown. Queen's took the lead for good shortly there after, when Natu Myers recovered a U of T fumble and ran it into the end zone for the major. 

Nate Hobbs ended the game 22-of-33 for 401 yards and two majors, while Jesse Andrews rushed 26 times for 155 yards. Corby had five catches for 143 yards and one TD, while Carmichael had seven receptions for 106 yards.

Second-year defensive back Jason Shamatutu led all players with 8.5 tackles and one forced fumble in the victory.

The Varsity Blues are back in action next Friday, October 2 when they travel up the highway to take on the York Lions in the 46th annual Red & Blue Bowl at York Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Notes: Queen's quarterback Nate Hobbs is the younger brother of Toronto's quaterback/receiver Marcus Hobbs...The Blues also honoured the 1965 Yates and Vanier Cup championship team as apart of their annual Hall of Fame Game celebrations.



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