The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team opened their 2022 OUA campaign in Kingston on Saturday (Aug. 27), falling to the defending OUA East champion Gaels 47-25.
 
TORONTO STATS: Making his first career OUA start, Blues quarterback Kinsale Philip got off to a tremendous start. The New Westminster, B.C. product went 10-15 for 211 yards and two touchdowns, and had the Blues within two points at the half. Philip went on to finish the game 13-27 for 225 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
 
Throughout the game, Philip spread the ball around, completing his 13 passes to seven different receivers. David Osho led the Blues in catches and receiving yards, making three grabs for 64 yards. Daniel Diodati, Michael Lehmann and Kingston product, Nigel LeGood all made two receptions. Jake Oseen and Adam Williams both caught touchdown passes from Philip.
 
To go along with his touchdown catch, Williams, a fourth-year running back, also rushed for 58 yards on eight attempts.
 
Defensively, fourth-year human geography/sociology major, Cody Hale led Toronto in tackles with 9, including a special teams tackle that forced a turnover on downs. Williams Omiyi, Keenan Dell and former Gael, Blake Zarubiak each recorded a sack. Dell also had two other tackles for loss during the contest.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: After both teams got their feet wet on their opening possessions, the Gaels would go on to take the first lead of the game with a 13-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter. The Blues would respond less than four minutes later when rookie kicker Sam Henke converted his first OUA field goal attempt, drilling a 27-yard attempt.
 
Tied 3-3 after one quarter of play, the second quarter was full of fireworks. Queen's Jaden Blackman returned a missed field goal 115-yards for a touchdown, scoring the games first major. Only a little over four minutes was needed for the Blues to respond though as Philip connected with Oseen for a 21-yard score. However, less than three minutes later, the Gaels would regain the lead on a Anthony Soles six-yard touchdown run, only for the Blues to once again respond on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Philip to Williams. Deadlocked at 17, Toronto would take their first lead on the ensuing kick off with a Henke rouge.

With just 43 seconds remaining in the opening half, Queen's would go up 20-18 on a 40-yard field goal.
 
The fireworks continued on the opening play of the third quarter. After dropping the kick off, Luka Stoikos picked up the loose ball, regrouped and took off down the field for an 83-yard kick return touchdown, and a 25-20 Blues lead. As was the story of the game though, Queen's found away to respond. Just under three minutes after, the Gaels took the lead back with a an eight-yard pass from James Keenan to Josh Macleod.
 
In the final quarter of play, the Gaels converted a pair of field goals to extend their lead to 33-25 with 6:03 to play. Queen's would then go on to add two late touchdowns to secure the victory.
 
UP NEXT: The Blues return to Varsity Stadium and get set to host their home-opener next Saturday, September 4 against the Carleton Ravens. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
 
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