The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team fell 26-23 in overtime to the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday night (Aug. 30) at Varsity Stadium.
 
"I told the guys all week that it was going to be a four-quarter dogfight," said Varsity Blues head coach Darrell Adams. "We needed overtime thanks to the play by Jake Oseen but we shot ourselves in the foot too many times."

Fourth-year Varsity Blues quarterback Scott Barnett went 23-for-36 for 253 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing 14 times for 82 yards and one major on the night. Veteran receiver Jake Oseen made 13 catches for 160 yards and two TD's, while Chris Joseph had eight receptions for 78 yards. 

Third-year linebacker Ryan Stewart led all players with 9.5 tackles, while adding one sack and one breakup, while Elia Lini added eight tackles in the loss. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: After a Sam Henke 31-yard field goal on their opening drive, the Blues capped off a 10-play, 67-yard drive as Barnett connected a 15-yard strike with Oseen. Toronto led 9-0 after the first quarter.
 
The Warriors got on the board on the ensuing drive as second-yard running back Roy Van Der Veen rushed three yards into the endzone, but the Blues extended their lead when Barnett punched it in on a first and goal. The Warriors added a field goal and U of T took a 16-10 lead into halftime.
 
Waterloo took the lead on their first two possessions of the second half – first with a 38-yard field goal, followed by another short Van der Veen rushing TD – and held a 20-16 advantage heading into the final quarter.
 
Toronto's defence rallied the troops as Devon Crenshaw blocked a Warriors field goal attempt and Ryan Stewart came up with a big sack with just over two minutes to play. The Blues responded in a big way as Barnett connected a 53-yard pass with Oseen with nine seconds remaining to take a 23-20 lead.
 
However, Waterloo spoiled the comeback as Evan Astolfo kicked a 57-yard field goal to tie the game and force overtime. Astolfo played hero again – kicking the game-winning 21-yard field goal in overtime to seal the Warriors win.
 
"We always have a 24-hour rule whether we win or lose," added Adams. "We talk about it for 24 hours, put it to bed and move onto the next one. Obviously the next one is a big one because it's our rival game against York. We have to get back in the win column so we're going to learn from the film and come back tomorrow ready to rock and roll."
 
UP NEXT: The Varsity Blues (1-1) return to action next Saturday, September 6 when they travel to take on the York Lions (1-1) in the 55th annual Red & Blue Bowl. Kick off is set for 1 p.m., at York Lions Stadium.