The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team kicks off 2017 regular season on the road this Sunday, August 27 when they travel to Waterloo to challenge the defending Yates Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks. It marks the third consecutive season the Varsity Blues have opened their season against the defending provincial champions (2016, Guelph; 2015, McMaster).

Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. The game will be streamed with live stats also available on OUA.tv.

U of T enters this season reinvigorated by the introduction of two new full-time assistant coaches in offensive coordinator Mark Surya and defensive coordinator Bob Mullen.

Coming to the Blues from the aforementioned Yates Cup champion Golden Hawks, Surya brings a fast-paced offence keen on combining quick throws with a strong run game. This style fits the high-football IQ game of Blues new starting quarterback Connor Ennis, who comes to the program as a highly touted transfer from Washington State. Ennis offers a bright mind and accurate arm, which will be relied upon to lead Surya's high-octane attack.



Ennis's primary target in the passing game will be sophomore Nick Stadnyk, who will look to lead a young receiving core. Veteran targets Immanuel Archer, Brian Addo, and Wacey Schell will compliment a talented young group, including newcomers Jaykwon Thompson, Will Corby and Daniel Diodati as the Blues look to spread the ball.

In the backfield, the duo of Divante Smith and Kaleb Leach will be leaned on to deliver a strong ground game in the dynamic offence. Smith has showcased his explosive abilities throughout his previous three seasons with the Varsity Blues, providing a spark for U of T in open space, while Leach exploded onto the scene with a 42-yard touchdown run in last year's opener against a very stout Guelph defence.



Paving the way for the run game will be a veteran offensive line led by Saskatchewan Roughriders draft pick Danny Sprukulis. Returning to U of T to play his fifth year of eligibility, the 46th overall pick in the 2017 CFL Draft will look to overpower the opposition alongside fellow fifth-year players Chris Kelly and Nicholas Wasylyk and fourth-year standout Sam MacMillan.

On the defensive side of the ball, coach Mullen brings with him a gap sound system predicated on stopping the run. With 350-pound fifth-year defensive tackle Kyle Draga and fourth-year defensive end Carter Gladman serving as the leaders to a talented group, Mullen's system has the players in place to be effective. 2016 OUA all-rookie Mekhi Henry will also look to take another leap entering his second season.



The Varsity Blues defence will rely heavily on a strong linebacker core, featuring both run-stopping and coverage talent. Returning to the Blues after attending the Hamilton Tiger-Cats training camp, fifth-year inside linebacker Corey Williams is set to convert his CFL level experience into chaos for opponents.

Joining him on the inside will be fourth-year linebacker Michael Leslie, who had a breakout season in 2016 after finishing third on the team in tackles (43) and first in sacks (4). Fellow veterans Paul Kozachuk, Matthew Renaud, Lamar Foyle and Brittley Mokube all provide incredible versatility at the position for the Blues.

Meanwhile, fourth-year cornerback Dennis Idowu, third-year defensive halfbacks Nick Hallett and Damoy Robinson and second-year safety Austin Rosbrook offer up an aggressive defensive backfield.



Following their opener against the Golden Hawks this Sunday, the Blues will return to Varsity Stadium and take on the Windsor Lancers on Monday, September 4 in their home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with advanced tickets on sale here. The game will also be streamed with live stats available on OUA.tv.

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