The Varsity Blues and Windsor Lancers will both be looking for their first wins of the season on Labour Day when U of T kicks off their 2010 home opener at 7 p.m. at Varsity Centre. 

Both teams dropped their first games of the season last week as Toronto fell 15-13 to the Guelph Gryphons on the road and the Lancers lost 23-14 to the visiting Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Since the Lancers inception into the league in 1973, the Blues have gained a slight advantage with a 20-17 head-to-head record. However, Windsor has held the reigns over the past decade. The Blues last defeated the Lancers on October 13, 2001 when they came away with a 13-11 victory at Varsity Stadium.

After a solid defensive showing versus Guelph on Sept. 1, U of T will need to step up offensively on Monday. Windsor will have to look out for linebacker Wilkerson DeSouza, who along with Kyle Kennedy, Derek Batchelor and Adam Fehler, combined for over 20 tackles versus the Gryphons on Wednesday afternoon.

Quarterback Andrew Gillis of Markham, Ont., needs to act as the glue for Toronto’s offensive unit that will look to come together under the lights. Jonathan Wright (Belleville, Ont.) and Toronto native Michael Prempeh will be called upon to lead the receivers, while veteran running back Walter Cariazo controls the Blues ground game.

Third-year quarterback Sam Malian and receivers Cory Fernandes and Jordan Brescacin led the Lancers offence against the No. 5 Gee-Gees. Windsor also has a strong running back core led by senior Paul Lefaive. Third-year defensive back Darryl Townsend is someone to look out for – he led the team with six tackles versus Ottawa and is Windsor’s primary kick and punt returner.

It’s Frosh Night at Varsity Centre on Monday. The Blues are expecting over 2,000 first-year students to attend and will be giving away many excellent prizes, including a Toshiba Netbook courtesy of the U of T Bookstore during the fourth quarter. 

Fans unable to make the game can watch the live webcast or follow along with live stats at varsityblues.ca.

Tickets for U of T home games are $10 for adults, $5 for youth and non-U of T students, U of T students and children 12 and under are free. Advance sales are available through www.ticketbreak.com or by calling 1.866.9.GET TIX (943-8849).

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