Appearing in their first post-season contest since 1995, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team dropped a 27-17 decision to the Ottawa Gee-Gees in OUA quarter-final action on Saturday, November 6 at Varsity Stadium.
With the loss, the Blues wrap up their 2021 campaign with a 3-4 record through the regular and post season. The Gee-Gees used a strong fourth-quarter effort to advance to next week's OUA semifinals.
FROM HEAD COACH GREG MARSHALL: "It's a good first step. We're not satisfied. It's a good experience for our kids especially the ones that will be returning. I thank the seniors who are graduating for helping us move the program forward and their efforts and contributions were significant."
TORONTO STATS: Fifth-year quarterback Clay Sequeira went 17-for-35 for 270 yards and two touchdowns, while veteran receiver Will Corby made two receptions for a game-high 75 yards. Sophomore receiver Ethan MacKinnon added three receptions for 61 yards and one major.
Third-year running back Adam Williams rushed 13 times for 59 yards, while also making three receptions for 39 yards on the day.
Fourth-year linebacker Dominic Ciraco led all players with 8.5 tackles and one break up, while third-year defensive lineman Jackson Mayer had 7.5 tackles and third-year linebacker James Greig added six tackles in the loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Gee-Gees opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 42-yard Campbell Fair field goal. Ottawa was up 3-0 after 15 minutes of action.
The visitors extended their lead midway through the second quarter as J-P Cimankinda capped off a 12-play, 76-yard drive with a one-yard rushing major. The Blues got on the board late in the frame with a Chris MacLean 26-year field goal as Ottawa took a 10-3 lead into halftime.
The Gee-Gees opened the second half with a 22-yard field goal from Fair but the Blues narrowed the gap late in the quarter when Sequeira connected a 55-yard pass with MacKinnon. Toronto trailed by two (13-11) heading into the final frame.
Ottawa extended the gap for good early in the fourth quarter. Dawson Odei rushed 13 yards for a major and, on the ensuing drive, Chris Ciguineau returned an interception 40 yards for the TD.
The Blues added one more touchdown late in the game as Sequeira found Nolan Lovegrove in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.
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