Fourth-year quarterback Clay Sequeira had another standout night, leading the University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team to a 54-26 victory over the Windsor Lancers on Sunday, September 1 at Varsity Stadium.
The win marks Toronto's first since Sept. 9, 2017 and Greg Marshall's first as head coach of the Varsity Blues.
"I think it was great for the guys. We needed that. We needed to taste victory. They've been working hard trying to get that one and it's nice to get it. And now that we've got one hopefully we can get a few more along the way and make a little bit of noise," said coach Marshall.
Sequeira went 16-for-27 for 455 yards and six touchdowns, while also rushing 11 times for 108 yards.
Four different receivers scored on the night. Third-year standout Will Corby made four receptions for 179 yards and two majors, while Nolan Lovegrove hauled in six catches for 152 yards and one major. Second-year receiver Michael Lehmann made four catches for 66 yards and two TDs, while veteran Nick Stadnyk made one catch for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Fifth-year defensive back Jordan Gillespie led the Blues with six tackles, while veteran defensive lineman Malcolm Campbell had four tackles and 1.5 sack. Rookie D-lineman James Stockwood had five tackles and one sack in the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Toronto trailed 6-5 early in the second quarter but Sequeira connected a 39-yard pass with Corby to put the Blues up by six (12-6). On the ensuing play, Windsor's Carson Ouelette would return U of T's kickoff 88-yards to set up his own seven-yard touchdown reception and retake the lead.
The Blues responded just over a minute later as Sequeira found Lehmann with a 22-yard strike. Toronto was up 19-13 at halftime.
Windsor garnered the lone points of the third quarter with an 11-yard field goal from Griffin Fenton. Toronto opened the fourth quarter in a big way as Sequeira hit Lovegrove with a 79-yard pass for the major. Girard responded on the ensuing drive with a 25-yard pass to Kaeden Walls, but the Blues answered right back as Lehmann scored off a nine-yard reception to restore a 10-point lead.
After yet another Windsor field goal, Toronto scored on their last three possessions. Sequeira connected a 75-yard pass with Corby, and then found Stadnyk for a 52-yard TD. Rookie running back Liam Cousineau capped off the game with his first career major off a one-yard rush.
Up next, the Blues head to Waterloo, Ont., to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks on September 7 at 7 p.m.