Box Score Despite career-high performances from three veterans, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team dropped a 51-30 decision to the Windsor Lancers on Saturday, October 1 at Alumni Stadium.
 
TORONTO STATS:
 
Fifth-year quarterback Marcus Hobbs notched went 23-for-39 for 314 yards, all career-best performances, and threw for one TD. He also rushed seven times for 14 yards and two majors on the day.
 
Fourth-year receiver Anthony Naccarato made 10 catches for 152 yards, also both career-highs, and added a TD, while fourth-year linebacker Brittley Mokube led all players with 11.5 tackles in the loss.
 
Third-year running back Alex Malone led the Blues on the ground, rushing 17 times for 108 yards, while Rahul Madan made four receptions for 71 yards.
 
Fifth-year linebacker Adrian Bernard was right behind Mokube, matching his career-high 10 tackles, while Michael Leslie notched 7.5 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one break up.
 
Fourth-year running back Kaleb Leach added five kick returns for 109 yards.
 
GAME FLOW:
 
U of T opened the scoring with a missed field goal for the single point early in the first quarter. Tarrence Crawford put the Lancers up, capping off a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a three-yard rushing TD.
 
Windsor missed their field goal on their next drive to build an 8-1 lead, but the Blues answered back as Malone rushed U of T down the field and Hobbs capped it off with a one-yard rushing major. The two teams were deadlocked at 8-8 after the first quarter.
 
The Lancers took the lead for good early in the second. Fourth-year quarterback Casey Wright hit Jeff Masson with a 16-yard TD pass and went onto find Cassell Jones for a 53-yard major. Blues kicker Ryan Grandell made a 28-yard field goal and punter TJ Morton forced the Lancers to take a knee in the end zone as Toronto headed into halftime down 22-12.
 
After another single for Toronto, Wright extended the Lancers lead with a four-yard rushing TD early in the third quarter. The Blues answered back though, as Hobbs found Naccarato for a 45-yard gain and hit him again with a 12-yard touchdown reception to bring the Blues within nine (20-29) midway through the third quarter.
 
On the ensuing drive, Windsor's Nick Vincent capped off a six-play, 86-yard drive with a 20-yard run for the score. The Lancers conceded a safety and another Morton punt went through the back of the end zone as the Blues trailed 36-23 going into the fourth quarter.
 
Toronto brought the game within reach early in the fourth quarter. Hobbs connected another long ball with Naccarato to set up his second rushing major and bring the Blues within six (30-36).
 
However, the Lancers sealed the win with a one-yard rushing TD and two point conversion from Crawford and Jones added his second major of the game off a 35-yard pass from Wright.
 
WINDSOR STATS:
 
Wright went 17-for-30 for 253 yards and three touchdowns. His favourite target was Jones who ended the game with six receptions for 119 yards a two majors. Crawford led all players with 28 carries for 184 yards and two majors, while Vincent rushed nine times for 94 yards and one TD in the win.
 
Daniel Metcalfe and Frank Renaud led the Lancers with 7.5 and 8.5 tackles, respectively.
 
The Varsity Blues have a tight turn around as they host the Laurier Golden Hawks in the Turkey Bowl this Thursday, October 6 at Varsity Stadium. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale here.

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