Playing host to the No. 1 Western Mustangs under the lights Friday night, the Varsity Blues were able to stay within stride of the Mustangs for much of the first half. However, a late Western push in the second quarter, and into the second half propelled the visitors from London, Ont., to a 56-14 victory at Varsity Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED: From the very beginning the Blues defence was able to make life difficult for the Western offence. Through a quarter and a half, the Blues held the Western offence to just seven points.

Following a Blues missed field goal, midway through the second, Western was able to flip the switch. Scoring three majors heading into the half, the Mustangs established a 28-0 lead at the break.

Tacking on to their lead, the Mustangs scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to go up 49-0.

Playing the final quarter, the Blues continued to battle and wound up finding pay dirt with 9:17 to play in the quarter when Adam Williams rushed in from one-yard out for his fourth touchdown of the season.

After Western responded with a touchdown of their own, the Blues were able to find the end zone again. Working the team down the field, rookie quarterback, Scott Barnett plunged in from one-yard away for his first career OUA major. Then on the final play of the game, Barnett threw his first career OUA touchdown finding Nick Greene from three yards away.

Barnett went on to finish the game 4 of 7 for 69 yards with a touchdown and a rushing touchdown. Williams led the Blues on the ground with 51 yards on 16 carries. Catching the ball, Nigel LeGood nearly cracked the century mark, recorded 89 yards on four receptions.

UP NEXT: The Blues will have their bye week, before heading to Hamilton, Ont., for their final game of the regular season against the McMaster Marauders on October 22.