TORONTO – The York University Lions football team unveiled its new turf field Saturday (Sept. 7) and christened it in style, defeating the visiting Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 33-20 in the annual Frosh Frenzy game presented by YU-card at York Stadium.
The Lions erased a 15-5 half-time deficit with a huge third quarter, putting up 23 points and holding the Golden Hawks scoreless to take a commanding 28-15 lead into the final frame. The win was the Lions’ first over the Golden Hawks since 2002 and improved their record to 1-1 on the season, while the Golden Hawks fell to 0-3 with the loss.
The Lions were led on offence by fifth-year starting quarterback Myles Gibbon (Montreal), who finished the game with 211 yards through the air, another 155 on the ground and three total touchdowns – two passing and one rushing.
The opening half was all Laurier as first-year quarterback Julien John (Oakville, Ont.) found Greg Nyhof (Georgetown, Ont.) through the air for a touchdown at 10:41 of the opening quarter, taking an 8-0 lead after also scoring on a York-conceded safety five minutes in.
The assault continued on the ground with Dillon Campbell (Whitby, Ont.) adding a 69-yard touchdown run within the first two minutes of the second quarter, on his way to over 100 yards rushing in the first half. The major gave the Golden Hawks a 15-0 lead.
Penalties would limit the production of the Lions early, but the squad continued to show glimmers of offensive production thanks to the dynamic play of Gibbon under centre. Finding early chemistry with first-year running back Errol Brooks (Toronto), the two connected for almost 100 yards through the air by halftime, including a big 64-yard catch-and-run late in the first.
Nick Naylor (Abbotsford, B.C.) added a 36-yard field goal and Laurier conceded a safety to make it 15-5 for Laurier at the break.
The start of the third quarter would give way to a different Lions football team. As the rain dissipated, the squad exploded for 23 unanswered points, rejuvenating the energy of the team and stadium alike. Gibbon continued his dominant play, finding Ryan Dunaway (Burlington, Ont.) through the air, and adding a rushing major of his own to give the Lions their first lead of the game at 19-15. Brooks also found the end zone, catching Gibbon’s second passing touchdown, and adding finishing the day with 91 yards on the ground and 97 in the air.
After the slow start the defence proved equally devastating. Rookie defensive back Samir Boulazreg (Mississauga, Ont.) had a coming out party with two interceptions, including one he returned 31 yards, as well as four total tackles and two pass break-ups.
He was outdone only by fourth-year defensive end James Tuck (Aurora, Ont.), who finished the game with nine tackles, including four for a loss of 40 yards, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. He was instrumental in virtually shutting down the Golden Hawks in the second half.
Another Naylor field goal capped the 33-20 victory.
John finished the game 9-for-32 for 148 yards, with the one touchdown and two interceptions. Laurier’s top offensive player was Campbell, who rushed for 146 yards on 16 carries and had the one score.
More than 2000 fans came out to cheer on the Lions despite a downpour that persisted for much of the game. As part of the festivities, there was a college cheer-off at half-time that was won by Glendon.
The Lions will hit the road next weekend (Sept. 14) to take on the defending Yates Cup champion McMaster Marauders at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., at 1pm, and will next play at home on Saturday, Sept. 28 in their annual Homecoming game against the Ottawa Gee-Gees.
Photo Credit: Forester Chan
Source: Alyson Fisher, York Lions Sports Information
TORONTO – After jumping out to an early lead, the Wilfrid Laurier University men’s football team (0-3) could not hold off the York Lions (1-1) in the second half as they fell 33-20 on Saturday afternoon at York Stadium.
Led by quarterback Myles Gibbon of Montreal, the Lions scored 28 unanswered points over the course of the second and third quarters after the Golden Hawks stormed ahead 15-0 early in the game. Gibbons ability to control the game with his legs and his arm proved to be the difference as York defeated Laurier for the first time since 2002.
“Myles is a great scrambler,” said Laurier head coach Michael Faulds on Yorks quarterback. “Just when you think you have him in your grasp he’s able to move around and make up some plays. He’s a fifth year player, he’s able to use his legs and we weren’t quite able to get him in our grasp.”
Despite starting the season with two losses, the Hawks started the game off looking like the more confident of the two teams. Playing in a driving wind and rain, the Hawks moved the ball efficiently in the opening quarter. After York conceded a safety to give them the lead, the Hawks found the scoreboard again as quarterback Julien John of Oakville, Ont., hit Greg Nyhof of Georgetown, Ont., and Laurier took an 8-0 lead after 15 minutes.
Early in the second quarter, the Hawks found the end zone again as running back Dillon Campbell of Whitby, Ont., busted outside for a 69 yard major.
“I held the edge perfectly,” said Campbell of his career-long run. “And when I saw the safety coming down I said ‘he’s not going to get me a second time’, no way. So I made sure I got that stiff arm on him and took it to the house.”
With a 15-point lead, the Hawks allowed the Lions back into the game thanks to a field goal and conceded a safety but still lead 15-5 at the half.
In the third quarter, the game turned completely around as the Lions scored 23 unanswered points. Sparked by Gibbon, who ran for one score and threw for two others, York scored three touchdowns and led 28-15 heading into the fourth.
The Hawks would get back to within eight points after another safety and a 44-yard field goal from Ronnie Pfeffer of Kitchener, Ont., but that was as close as they would get as the Lions came away with a win.
Gibbon was the big playmaker on the day for the Lions as he finished the game 14 of 28 for 211 yards while adding 155 yards on the ground. Errol Brooks of Toronto, also had a big afternoon with 97 yards and a touchdown through the air and 86 yards rushing. James Tuck of Aurora, Ont., led the defence with nine tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Campbell led Laurier’s offensive effort with 146 yards rushing, a new career-high, and a touchdown. Thomas Majkaof Mississauga, Ont., was the defensive leader with 7.5 tackles.
Up next for the Hawks, they will travel across Waterloo to face the Warriors on Saturday, September 14. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Warrior Field.
NOTES: Rookie returner William Pitt-Doe of Mississauga, Ont., racked up over 200 yards in returns, including 194 on kick returns…attendance at York Stadium was 2,040
Photo credit: Heather Davidson
Source: Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Sports Information
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