University of Toronto Varsity Blues and the York Lions will renew their rivalry Saturday in the 42nd annual Red & Blue Bowl from York Stadium.
Barring a tie, one of them will win at least a game this season.
The Blues have won three straight, and 25 overall in the series. York has won 16 games, including 13 straight from 1994-2007.
The Lions (0-1) will be looking for some retribution after dropping their Labour Day matchup 46-7 to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in front of their home crowd.
But the Blues (0-1) also dropped their season opener, when they travelled to Windsor and fell 38-5 to the Lancers.
“This is going to be a great game and we’re excited to get back on the field,” Varsity Blues head coach Greg Gary told the team’s website. “Expectations are high, the tempo is up and we’re doing everything we can to prepare ourselves for a tough battle on Saturday.”
The Red & Blue Bowl can be streamed live on www.ssncanada.ca at 1 p.m. ET.
Toronto failed to score any conventional offensive points, notching two safeties and a single for their total of five. But more concerning was giving up two big special teams plays less than three minutes into the game.
A 104-yard kickoff return on the first play of the game and a 73-yard punt return shortly thereafter all but sealed the fate for the Blues.
York also fell behind early to the Golden Hawks, preventing the running game from getting off the ground. Fourth-year quarterback Nick Conti had a tough day, going 15-for-37 and 126 yards. He also threw an interception.
Lately the Red and Blue game is considered by both teams to be the best chance to pick up a win in the tough Ontario University Athletics pigskin schedule.
The Blues haven’t been successful since the early 90’s (they won both the Yates and Vanier Cup in ’93) and York is yet to win either accolade.
Both teams will be looking to build some momentum as they head into a long season. York will travel to Waterloo to battle the returning Warriors next Saturday. The Warriors were suspended from competition in 2010 due to a steroid scandal.
U of T have their home opener on the next Sunday when they welcome the Guelph Gryphons to Varsity Stadium.
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