Season Preview: Toronto Varsity Blues

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team will be looking to make their presence known in the 2025 regular season as they continue to grow under second-year head coach Darrell Adams.

The Blues finished with a 1-7 record last season and will look to improve as a collective after bringing in a large first-year recruiting class, the first full group of Adams' tenure in the Blue and White. The existing core paired with an influx of fresh faces and talent will lead to an exciting season for Toronto, as they bring an eager and optimistic squad to the gridiron.

FROM THE COACH'S DESK
"We are very excited about training camp, it was a long albeit productive offseason. We are in a unique situation welcoming 40 new players to the family. We are teaching them the culture of the Blues program, focusing on our core values of respect, trust, and love. Our returning players have raised the standards by holding themselves and each other accountable, with an increased emphasis on the little details. The expectations are a constant and never-ending pursuit of excellence, starting with daily investments into our personal, physical and mental growth. The goal is to put ourselves in position to compete and win as many games as possible. I am most excited about the opportunity to field a new team that's activated their mindset into defying the odds and unlocking their potential."

• Darrell Adams, University of Toronto Varsity Blues football head coach

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Key Returners: Scott Barnett (QB), Kaleb O'Donoghue (QB), Jake Oseen (WR), Chris Joseph (WR), Thomas Roberts (WR), Ryan Stewart (LB), Elia Lini (LB), Oskar McPhie (DB)
Key Additions: Jack Donohue (HB), Nabiel Ocana (DL), Isaiah Marcelline (TB), Brandon Farley (LB)

LAST SEASON'S LEADERS
Passing: Kaleb O'Donoghue | 8 GP, 104-171, 1229 YDS, 4 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Garrett Ellis | 3 GP, 35 ATT, 242 YDS
Receiving: Chris Joseph | 7 GP, 30 REC, 515 YDS, 2 TD
Defense: Kinsale Philip | 8 GP, 34.5 TKL, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF, 2 BU

MARQUEE GAMES
August 30 vs. Waterloo
The Blues will open their home schedule in front of a raucous Varsity Stadium crowd with a showdown against a familiar Waterloo opponent. Toronto won two of their last three games against the Warriors dating back to 2022, including a 31-29 victory in Waterloo to open last season. In that game, returning quarterbacks Scott Barnett and Kaleb O'Donoghue each rushed for a touchdown while receiver Chris Joseph grabbed two majors and racked up 120 yards. Elia Lini led the defence recording an impressive seven solo tackles. 

September 13 vs. Queen's
Toronto hosts the rival Queen's Gaels at Varsity Stadium for their first meeting since 2023. The Gaels finished with a 5-3 record last season and fell short in the playoffs to the eventual Vanier Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks. The Blues young team will be put to the test as the two historic programs battle out another piece of history on the field.

September 20 vs. Windsor
Welcoming the Lancers for their first meeting at Varsity Stadium since 2019, the Blues will face another tough contestant in a Windsor team that went 5-3 in 2024. Toronto's most recent win against the Lancers came in that 2019 home game, a 54-26 rout, which was the largest margin of victory for the Blues against Windsor. With the sting of two recent losses on the road, the Blues will be motivated to flip the script.

October 4 vs. McMaster
The Blues close out their home schedule with a match-up against the McMaster Marauders. Toronto took care of business the last time they hosted McMaster with a 33-19 win in 2023, but fell by a score of 32-3 in Hamilton last season. Since 2022, the Blues have come out on top in two out of three games against the Marauders, and will look to keep the success coming and build momentum as they head into their Thanksgiving bye week.

GET YOUR TICKETS
Both season seats and individual game tickets can be purchased at varsityblues.ca/tickets.

All OUA football games are streamed live and on-demand via oua.tv.