The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team defeated the visiting McMaster Marauders by a final score of 33-19 on Saturday (Sept. 30) afternoon at Varsity Stadium.

The win marks the second consecutive win for Toronto over the perennial powerhouse Marauders. The Blues were impressive on home turf scoring two interception return touchdowns and a blocked punt return touchdown, in addition to 248 total yards of offence through the air and on the ground.

Highlights for the Blues began in the second quarter when second-year quarterback Scott Barnett delivered a deep pass that landed in the hands of a leaping Nigel LeGood for a 34-yard touchdown strike. Barnett proved to be a dual-threat for U of T finishing the contest with 108 passing yards and 55 rushing yards. The Blues rushing attack also benefited from strong interior running from Adam Williams who registered a team-high 85 yards on 10 carries.

The excitement of the passing touchdown was then immediately followed by even more excitement for the home crowd when the Blues special teams capitalized on a blocked punt, with second-year defensive back Brandon Thibodeau scooping up the loose ball and returning it 25-yards to put Toronto in the lead at the halftime break.

Following a special halftime ceremony in which the Varsity Blues honoured their 1983 Yates Cup and 1993 Vanier Cup winning teams, the Toronto defence took over the game to impress the visiting alumni.

Just past the midway point of the third quarter with the Marauders driving, it was second-year linebacker Ryan Stewart who delivered a sensational shift in momentum, intercepting a McMaster pass and taking it back 106-yards for a touchdown. A defensive standout all season long, Stewart's incredible touchdown set a new Varsity Blues football record as the longest interception return for a touchdown in program history, while also tying for the seventh longest interception return touchdown in U SPORTS history. Stewart added a game-high 7.5 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup to round out his day.

After McMaster responded with a score of their own to close the Blues lead to just seven points, third-year defensive back Joshua Carter sealed the deal for Toronto recording the fourth interception of the day and taking it back for another Blues touchdown. Fellow defensive backs Lachlan Scardina and Luca Pante registered the other two interceptions for U of T in the win.

Riding high on their first win of the season, the Blues will travel just a subway ride away for the annual Red & Blue Bowl showdown versus the York Lions this coming week. The GTA rivalry game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, with kick-off at 7 p.m. All the action will be available to stream online via oua.tv.