2023 USports Football

[Mocha]

Panda Game, Ottawa-Carleton rivalry highlight how local rivalries can power U Sports events

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/u-sports-n...game-1.6978919

[Mocha]

USports changing its scholarship rules, making it easier for young athletes:

https://usports.ca/en/news/2023/09/2...lity-alignment

Beginning next year, first-time entering student-athletes will be permitted to participate and receive an athletic scholarship so long as they have been accepted to a member university and enrolled in degree-granting courses.

The new direction replaces the existing policy that requires entering student-athletes to have an 80% average in their final year of high school or CEGEP to be eligible for an entering athletic scholarship and a 60% average to participate athletically in their first year of study.

Hopefully, this will grant opportunities for a few more young football players who don't have the highest grades. Might impact the CJFL pool a bit.

[AngeloV]

I was watching the 1993 Vanier cup on YouTube last night, and it made me sad to see what has happened to the Toronto based Usport teams. Also brought back memories of many of the offensive stars on that team playin in the Scar-Durham touch football league in the spring of that year to stay sharp. They didn't win our league though, because as I found out when I first started playing touch ball, it is a different game than tackle, but damn was the athleticism there.

[AngeloV]

USports changing its scholarship rules, making it easier for young athletes:

https://usports.ca/en/news/2023/09/2...lity-alignment

Beginning next year, first-time entering student-athletes will be permitted to participate and receive an athletic scholarship so long as they have been accepted to a member university and enrolled in degree-granting courses.

The new direction replaces the existing policy that requires entering student-athletes to have an 80% average in their final year of high school or CEGEP to be eligible for an entering athletic scholarship and a 60% average to participate athletically in their first year of study.

Hopefully, this will grant opportunities for a few more young football players who don't have the highest grades. Might impact the CJFL pool a bit.

I haven't read the story, but is this only for Canadian kids, or does it include American kids? I couldn't help but notice that Windsor has 20 Americans (and not just from across the border) on their team, and UBC's QB is from Texas. It seems to have worked for Windsor, and UofT and York may need to start recruiting that way too to stay competitive if high level local kids don't want to go play for them.

[Mocha]

Top two teams in AUS going at it now. Bishop's actually up on StFX in the 2nd Q

https://austv.ca/watch/112


Edit:

And StFX pulls out the win in triple OT. 34-31.

[Mocha]

I haven't read the story, but is this only for Canadian kids, or does it include American kids? I couldn't help but notice that Windsor has 20 Americans (and not just from across the border) on their team, and UBC's QB is from Texas. It seems to have worked for Windsor, and UofT and York may need to start recruiting that way too to stay competitive if high level local kids don't want to go play for them.

Good question, I haven't seen that addressed anywhere in what I've read.

[Mocha]

Battle between two of the top 3 teams out west, UBC vs Saskatchewan.

14-14 early on.

https://universitysport.prestosports...30929_i6lt.xml

[Mocha]

Saskatchewan ended up topping UBC last night, so the top 3 out in CW are all 1-1 vs each other. Rock-scissors-paper.

I see Western beat Windsor today, which was a tight game till the 4th. I also notice in the stats that the Lancers now have Javonni Cunningham (son of Jimmuy the Jet). Maybe trying to catch the eye of some CFL scouts.

https://3downnation.com/2023/01/29/c...l-draft-class/

[OV Argo]

Listened to some of the Panda Game today on local TSN radio (game was on CHCH TV a few years back); GGs win with a last play 55 yard FG !

[Will]

Ravens suck

[OV Argo]

Ravens suck

There might be another, gentler way to say that? Ravens are wimps ? ;o)

[Mocha]

Anyone else watching Laurier at Ottawa? Great game so far, with Ottawa up 19-18 just before the half.

https://oua.tv/watch/60

[Mocha]

There's a really solid 8 among the top 10. Not sure how well St.FX and Queen's fit, but all the rest might be able to knock off the others in the list on any given day.

[OV Argo]

Yeah - some real interesting battles shaping up in all Conferences.

Laval/Carabins in the Q as usual (real toss-up IMO)

Can Laurier take out Western (they face each other last game of the reg. sched.) ?

UBC, Sask. or Alberta in the West.

And I think Bishops might be able to give FX a run in the AUS.

[Mocha]

Yeah - some real interesting battles shaping up in all Conferences.

Laval/Carabins in the Q as usual (real toss-up IMO)

Can Laurier take out Western (they face each other last game of the reg. sched.) ?

UBC, Sask. or Alberta in the West.

And I think Bishops might be able to give FX a run in the AUS.

Yeah, I'm pumped for the home stretch.

IIRC, Bishops took FX to OT (or close to it?) a few weeks ago, so their playoff game could be a good one.

And I'm really excited to see what Laurier does against Windsor this weekend and Western the following weekend. I'll be pulling for the Argos intern to lead his team over the Lancers and Mustangs.

https://3downnation.com/2023/10/10/w...n-over-ottawa/

[Mocha]

I see Western was able to squeak past Laurier to remain unbeaten.

Anyone watch that game? Does Laurier have a decent shot to topple Western in the playoffs?

Edit:
I just read that Keon Edwards broke his foot and will be done for the year. And Hillock got a concussion--not sure if that'll keep him out of future games, but the loss of Edwards will hurt Western's chances in the playoffs.

[OV Argo]

I see Western was able to squeak past Laurier to remain unbeaten.

Anyone watch that game? Does Laurier have a decent shot to topple Western in the playoffs?

Edit:
I just read that Keon Edwards broke his foot and will be done for the year. And Hillock got a concussion--not sure if that'll keep him out of future games, but the loss of Edwards will hurt Western's chances in the playoffs.

I watched a lot of it (OUA TV) - tale of 2 halfs; Western out to a 27-0 first half lead; Laurier roars back with 28 straight points to take a 2nd half lead before a late Western TD pass to take the win.

Laurier have a talented offence - big, strong armed QB; good receivers and a talented RB; not sure their D is that great. But I think they can beat Western minus Keon Edwards, and especially if Hilock cannot return. Western does not have the D talent of some previous past great teams there (and cost them in last year's National semi loss).

I think I'd bet on the Carabins (or maybe Laval) to easily beat either of Western or Laurier in the National semi though; more complete teams from those top 2 Q big dogs, especially on defence.

[Mocha]

Semi-finals now set:

[Mocha]

Western and Laurier advance as expected.

Laval needed OT to squeak by Concordia.

Last I checked, Manitoba was leading UBC. That'd be a big upset.

[OV Argo]

4 very interesting Conference finals coming up.

Montreal are the big dog IMO - very good D and their QB Senecal is outstanding - a real dual threat QB; but in one game, Laval can still be dangerous

Love to see Alberta win the West with a strong run & pass game - nice to see the balanced offences and applied ground games in Canadian ball. UBC has a similar balanced offence it seems. Might come down to who has the best D.