Windsor 55 | Toronto 4


Kim Elliott
SPORTS WRITER


The Lancers Football team was back on track in Toronto Saturday, beating the Varsity Blues 55-4, after last weekend’s derailment from their short-term objective of earning home advantage in the OUA quarter-finals.

The Lancers were in complete control of the game from the opening whistle. “For the first time this year we did it with a balanced attack,” Lancers head coach Joe D’Amore said.

Unlike last weekend when they were very limited on the ground, the Lancers ran four into the end zone and had two touchdowns with passes.

“We had 250 rushing and 300 yards passing, albeit in 20-yard intervals,” D’Amore said. “We finally established our running game by returning to the two set in the backfield. We also redesigned some runs and some different blocking patterns.”

Austin Kennedy threw for 300 yards, going 14-for-21 with one interception and a 89-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Brescasin and another 78-yard touchdown pass to Evan Pszczonak.

Gilbert Stewart led the Lancers in running touchdowns with two, Mitch Dender led in Lancers rushing with a 99-yard total while also scoring a touchdown. Kenny Eansor ran a touchdown in from four yards.

Lancer kicker Dan Cerino went 2-for-3 in field goals and was good for all seven extra points.

On the defense, Jake Nicoletti led tackles with six solo efforts. Austin Crumb had five. Garrit Post had two sacks to go with his three tackles.

The Lancers were able to take advantage of a two-dimensional offence that also re-established their defensive tenacity.

“Garrick Post had four sacks and Keaton Jones, our standout transfer, really did a good job for us on defence,” D’Amore said. “Not only did he have a 45-yard punt return, we used him on the defensive side of the ball (where) he did some great blocking for us.”

However, the coach lamented that All-Canadian defensive back Matt McGarva may be lost for the season due to a dislocated elbow he incurred in the game. D’Amore commented, “We’re getting our 300-pound defensive linesmen John Langley back, so we should still be in good shape for our next match.”

Next up for the Lancers is a game Saturday at the Western Mustangs (2-1), who D’Amore considers the best run program in the country, and one of the Big 3 in the OUA conference along with McMaster (3-0) and Queen’s (3-0).