PREVIEW: #8 Ottawa travels to Toronto for Labour Day weekend clash

September 3, 2023

• The Matchup: #8 Ottawa Gee-Gees (1-0) versus Toronto Varsity Blues (0-1)
• Location: Varsity Stadium – Toronto, ON
• Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
• Tickets: Varsity Blues Tickets
• Last meeting: Ottawa 27, Toronto 17 – Nov. 6, 2021 (OUA East semifinals)
• All-Time Record: Ottawa leads 32-19 since 1885
• Broadcast: OUA.tv  

OTTAWA LEADERS:

• Major Stat Leaders (per game)
• • Passing yards: Ryan Licandro – 133
  • Rushing yards: Amlicar Polk – 142
  • Receiving yards: Maxim Malenfant – 55
  • Tackles: Max Charbonneau – 9

TORONTO LEADERS:

• Major Stat Leaders (per game)
• • Passing yards: Kinsale Philip – 135
  • Rushing yards: Scott Barnett – 16
  • Receiving yards: Nic Green – 52
  • Tackles: Ryan Collins – 4.5 

Game Overview:

Fresh from a home win to kick off the 2023 season, the U SPORTS eighth-ranked Gee-Gees will head to Toronto for a Sunday evening matchup, facing the Varsity Blues for the time since the 2021 OUA East semifinals, where the Gee-Gees ended the Blues' season with a 27-17 win.

Quarterback Ryan Licandro will have the chance to be at the helm of the Gee-Gees offence for a second game, after stepping in for Ben Maracle and completing 12 of 25 attempts for 133 yards against the Warriors. Coincidentally, Licandro's best career performance came against Toronto in 2019, while he was a freshman with Queen's, he led the Gaels to a win finishing with 280 yards and two touchdowns on 18 completions. 

Despite the absence of Maracle after the first quarter, Licandro and the Gee-Gees were able to complete the 29-10 win over Waterloo. Much of the credit goes to the Gee-Gees defence who forced 8 turnovers, including a pick six by Patrick Cumberbatch to seal the win.

Toronto will be happy to kick off their home schedule after starting their season with a 33-10 loss to Guelph at Alumni Stadium last Saturday.