September 7, 2013
Lions celebrate turf unveiling with win over Golden Hawks
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 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.
Source: York Sports Info
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 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.
Source: York Sports Info
