April 7, 2022
Yates Cup rematch headlines 2022 OUA football schedule
Burlington, Ont. - The weather is warming, the gridiron is calling, and the anticipation is already building. After a successful return to the field for the 2021 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football season, the OUA is pleased to announce the schedule for the upcoming 2022 campaign.
2022 OUA Football Schedule | FULL
After playing through a modified schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic a season ago, including reduced games, regional competition, and a two-division set-up, the upcoming campaign will reflect what OUA football fans have grown accustomed to over the years. Each team will play eight regular season games across the nine-week schedule, with no divisional or geographical restrictions in place.
The regular season schedule officially kicks off on August 27 at 1:00pm, with a trio of games launching the latest quest for the Yates Cup. Waterloo will take on York, McMaster will make their way to Carleton, and the defending champions from Western will welcome Guelph in the first set of contests. The 2021 finalists, Queen's, will get their season underway later that day when they host the Toronto Varsity Blues, before Ottawa and Windsor wrap up the Week 1 slate under the lights.
The excitement extends beyond this foray into the 2022 campaign; however, as the following eight weeks are filled with must-see matchups, renewed rivalries, and rousing rematches.
Among the most eagerly awaited encores will be the Week 3 encounter between the Gaels and Mustangs, who after closing out the 2021 conference schedule in the Yates Cup finale, will get right back at it on September 10 (7:00pm).
That championship rematch won't be the only repeat skirmish on the schedule, but it will be one of the few that features former inter-divisional foes. And while the divisions may be a thing of the past, the closely-contested clashes that came about within those regional groupings are poised for their reprise outings this fall.
Included in those marquee matchups is a Labour Day tilt between the Lancers and Gryphons in Week 2, with the former looking to follow up on their momentous win over the latter from a season ago. Both of those teams were included in last year's divisional standings log-jam, and the crowded crew of contenders therein will cross paths once again next season, as the Marauders will battle the Warriors in Week 3 (Sept. 10) and Guelph will take on Wilfrid Laurier in Week 8 (Oct. 15).
Beyond the former divisional foes facing off, some of the country's longest standing rivalries will also earn top billing amidst the upcoming schedule.
One of the most anticipated varsity events each year, the Panda Game, will highlight the Week 6 contests, as the Ravens and Gee-Gees open up October with a 12:00pm kickoff on the first of the month. The Battle of Waterloo will give fans plenty to be thankful for when it takes centre stage the following week. As part of a condensed four-game slate ahead of Thanksgiving, the Golden Hawks and Warriors will get re-acquainted under the lights on Thursday, October 6 at 6:00pm.
Much like Waterloo did last year when twice facing the Hawks, the Varsity Blues also topped their cross-town rivals in 2021, and they'll look to do the same in their Week 5 meeting with the Lions, in what will be the 52nd edition of the Red & Blue Bowl festivities.
Teams' final chance to secure their playoff spots and seeding will come during Week 9, when the regular season comes to a dramatic conclusion on October 22. Making up those final five contests will be Western v. Ottawa, Queen's v. Laurier, Toronto v. McMaster, Carleton v. Guelph, and Waterloo v. Windsor.
With the book then closing on the nine-week regular season, the quest for the cup will begin on October 29, before North America's oldest football trophy gets awarded on November 12 at the 114th Yates Cup Championship.
2022 OUA Football Schedule | FULL
After playing through a modified schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic a season ago, including reduced games, regional competition, and a two-division set-up, the upcoming campaign will reflect what OUA football fans have grown accustomed to over the years. Each team will play eight regular season games across the nine-week schedule, with no divisional or geographical restrictions in place.
The regular season schedule officially kicks off on August 27 at 1:00pm, with a trio of games launching the latest quest for the Yates Cup. Waterloo will take on York, McMaster will make their way to Carleton, and the defending champions from Western will welcome Guelph in the first set of contests. The 2021 finalists, Queen's, will get their season underway later that day when they host the Toronto Varsity Blues, before Ottawa and Windsor wrap up the Week 1 slate under the lights.
The excitement extends beyond this foray into the 2022 campaign; however, as the following eight weeks are filled with must-see matchups, renewed rivalries, and rousing rematches.
Among the most eagerly awaited encores will be the Week 3 encounter between the Gaels and Mustangs, who after closing out the 2021 conference schedule in the Yates Cup finale, will get right back at it on September 10 (7:00pm).
That championship rematch won't be the only repeat skirmish on the schedule, but it will be one of the few that features former inter-divisional foes. And while the divisions may be a thing of the past, the closely-contested clashes that came about within those regional groupings are poised for their reprise outings this fall.
Included in those marquee matchups is a Labour Day tilt between the Lancers and Gryphons in Week 2, with the former looking to follow up on their momentous win over the latter from a season ago. Both of those teams were included in last year's divisional standings log-jam, and the crowded crew of contenders therein will cross paths once again next season, as the Marauders will battle the Warriors in Week 3 (Sept. 10) and Guelph will take on Wilfrid Laurier in Week 8 (Oct. 15).
Beyond the former divisional foes facing off, some of the country's longest standing rivalries will also earn top billing amidst the upcoming schedule.
One of the most anticipated varsity events each year, the Panda Game, will highlight the Week 6 contests, as the Ravens and Gee-Gees open up October with a 12:00pm kickoff on the first of the month. The Battle of Waterloo will give fans plenty to be thankful for when it takes centre stage the following week. As part of a condensed four-game slate ahead of Thanksgiving, the Golden Hawks and Warriors will get re-acquainted under the lights on Thursday, October 6 at 6:00pm.
Much like Waterloo did last year when twice facing the Hawks, the Varsity Blues also topped their cross-town rivals in 2021, and they'll look to do the same in their Week 5 meeting with the Lions, in what will be the 52nd edition of the Red & Blue Bowl festivities.
Teams' final chance to secure their playoff spots and seeding will come during Week 9, when the regular season comes to a dramatic conclusion on October 22. Making up those final five contests will be Western v. Ottawa, Queen's v. Laurier, Toronto v. McMaster, Carleton v. Guelph, and Waterloo v. Windsor.
With the book then closing on the nine-week regular season, the quest for the cup will begin on October 29, before North America's oldest football trophy gets awarded on November 12 at the 114th Yates Cup Championship.
