Football takes centre stage at field Grand Opening

The first Ontario University Athletics football game to take place at Gee-Gees Field will kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 when the Gee-Gees will welcome the Toronto Varsity Blues to their new on-campus home. Both squads enter the inaugural game with 1-1 records thanks to wins on Labour Day, setting up a crucial early-season measuring stick for the playoff race.

Ottawa captured a 44-32 win over the Waterloo Warriors (0-2) on Monday while just down the street in Waterloo, Toronto triumphed 27-20 against Wilfrid Laurier (0-2). Late in the third quarter, Toronto held a 27-3 lead on the Golden Hawks.

"They played very well against Laurier – that was a big win for them," noted Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi. "But for me I have to focus on what happens in here. We took way too many penalties last game and we have to clean that up." Ottawa was penalized 13 times against Waterloo, racking up 153 yards in the wrong direction. "I can't give my guys a pass for that."

Fortunately for Ottawa the offence and in particular the passing game has been up to the task thus far. The Gee-Gees rank third among OUA teams in total offence, passing, and rushing yards. Fifth-year quarterback Aaron Colbon, an Ottawa native, has averaged 394 passing yards per game, ranking him second among the league's quarterbacks. He also has the interesting distinction of being the league's second-leading rusher, having posted 163 yards through the opening two games.

The visitors have been led by second-year quarterback Chris Jugovic of Hamilton, Ont., who currently ranks fifth in the OUA with 267 passing yards per game. The Blues also feature a pair of dangerous athletes on defence with third-year linebacker Dylan Gordon tied for fourth in the province with 15 tackles in two games, and Harrison Beeforth tied for the CIS lead with three sacks.

Before the season began Colbon, who is an Ottawa native, commented on the prospect of playing his final season of home games at the new Gee-Gees Field. "It's pretty cool, I was very fortunate that I was given the opportunity to play in Ottawa. It's really amazing seeing the support at games from family, friends and even old coaches or teachers. I am truly thankful for the amount of support I get here in Ottawa and I can't wait to play on the new field."

NOTES: Both teams finished with 2-6 records last season, finishing out of the playoffs… Ottawa holds a 22-17-0 advantage over Toronto since their first meeting in 1905… Ottawa has won the last two meetings, 41-0 in 2011 and 34-6 in 2012, but were upset 40-35 in 2010… Prior to 2010 the last Toronto win in the series was in the 1974 Yates Cup game…An on-field grand opening ceremony will be held following the national anthem.