September 4, 2012
Blues shut out Hawks in home opener
Sophomore quarterback Richard Quittenton scored two rushing touchdowns to lead the Varsity Blues to a 19-0 win over the visiting Laurier Golden Hawks in front of a crowd of 4,397 on Labour Day at Varsity Centre.
The win marks Toronto’s first over Laurier since Oct. 5, 1996. It also marks the first time the Hawks have been shut out since 1984 and U of T’s first shut out win since 1995.
A native of Ajax, Ont., Quittenton was 16-of-25 for 157 yards, while also adding 19 rushing yards and two majors. Rookie running back Ashton Nelson (Brampton, Ont.) ran 25 times for 119 yards and earned Varsity Blues player of the game in his OUA debut.
Alex Pierzchalski led all receivers with 72 yards on seven catches. Fellow London, Ont., native John Connors as well as sophomore Spenser Stewart led the Blues with five tackles apiece.
After a scoreless first quarter, a botched Laurier punt early in the second would set Toronto up on the two-yard line. Quittenton would punch it in from there with the first of his two on the day.
Laurier charged down the field on the ensuing drive, only to have a field goal attempt blocked by fourth-year defensive back and Whitby, Ont., native Kevin Kinahan. Veteran kicker Andrew Lomasney (Toronto) capped off a late 10-play, 70-yard drive with a 27-yard field goal as Toronto headed into halftime with a 9-0 advantage.
Toronto’s special teams, relentless throughout the game, again pressured Laurier punter Ronnie Pfeffer early in the fourth quarter, forcing the ball deep in Hawks territory and setting up another Quittenton one-yard rushing major. Laurier conceded a safety on their next drive to give U of T the 19-0 lead.
The Varsity Blues (1-0) return to the field next Saturday, September 8 when they head to London, Ont. to take on the Western Mustangs (1-0). Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Source: Varsity Blues Sports Info
The win marks Toronto’s first over Laurier since Oct. 5, 1996. It also marks the first time the Hawks have been shut out since 1984 and U of T’s first shut out win since 1995.
A native of Ajax, Ont., Quittenton was 16-of-25 for 157 yards, while also adding 19 rushing yards and two majors. Rookie running back Ashton Nelson (Brampton, Ont.) ran 25 times for 119 yards and earned Varsity Blues player of the game in his OUA debut.
Alex Pierzchalski led all receivers with 72 yards on seven catches. Fellow London, Ont., native John Connors as well as sophomore Spenser Stewart led the Blues with five tackles apiece.
After a scoreless first quarter, a botched Laurier punt early in the second would set Toronto up on the two-yard line. Quittenton would punch it in from there with the first of his two on the day.
Laurier charged down the field on the ensuing drive, only to have a field goal attempt blocked by fourth-year defensive back and Whitby, Ont., native Kevin Kinahan. Veteran kicker Andrew Lomasney (Toronto) capped off a late 10-play, 70-yard drive with a 27-yard field goal as Toronto headed into halftime with a 9-0 advantage.
Toronto’s special teams, relentless throughout the game, again pressured Laurier punter Ronnie Pfeffer early in the fourth quarter, forcing the ball deep in Hawks territory and setting up another Quittenton one-yard rushing major. Laurier conceded a safety on their next drive to give U of T the 19-0 lead.
The Varsity Blues (1-0) return to the field next Saturday, September 8 when they head to London, Ont. to take on the Western Mustangs (1-0). Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Source: Varsity Blues Sports Info
