Canada's Largest University: Even when I played (not for the Blues) in the 90s these guys just sucked.
Hapless Blues lose record 48th
Oct 14, 2007 04:30 AM
David Grossman
Toronto Star Sports Reporter
LONDON, Ont.–The University of Toronto Blues football team, now No. 1 in Canada, yesterday had a date with history. with their 48th loss in a row.
But being No. 1 has nothing to do with accomplishments ... more like futility.
Despite a million-dollar endowment fund for football, a stunning new facility and the ability to recruit players through sports scholarships, the Blues still entered the record books.
The University of Western Ontario Mustangs punished Toronto 44-1 in front of a loyal crowd of 5,350 at TD Waterhouse Stadium, the Blues' 48th consecutive loss.
The previous record of 47 defeats had been held by Toronto's other football team, then the York Yeomen. Now known as the Lions, York dropped to 1-7 and was eliminated from the OUA playoffs following a 40-16 drubbing at the hands of McMaster.
Liz Hoffman, Toronto's director of athletics and the only senior U of T administrator to show up for the historical game, had to deal with the embarrassment.
"We're not proud, obviously, of our record," said Hoffman in a post-game eulogy acknowledging that the record did not bode well for the current coaching staff.
A melancholy Toronto head coach Steve Howlett watched his team take 18 penalties for 191 yards, almost matching the Blues' total net offence of 246 yards.
"I'm disappointed with the outcome of the game. The record is not an issue, we didn't play well and came unglued," said Howlett, who hasn't won since he took over five years ago.
"It's difficult. I don't like to lose but we have to keep thinking about the future. The building blocks are there, just need to continue to add good players."
The record-breaking loss wasn't as bad as some of Toronto's previous blowouts. The worst was an 80-0 stinker to McMaster in 2003, while the narrowest margin of defeat was a few weeks ago, a 21-20 loss to York. And the Blues are still a long way from the NCAA football record of 80 straight defeats by Prairie View A&M from 1989-98.
Western coach Greg Marshall can see a change in Toronto's game.
"They have come miles, really progressed. I know they're getting picked on because of the record," said Marshall. "I remember when they couldn't compete at this level. We weren't rolling over them by any means. We got some breaks and cashed in. They'll turn it around."
Toronto's only point came on a 65-yard single by Mark Stinson with 8:50 left in the game.
In other OUA games, Ottawa beat Laurier 27-15 in a battle of previously unbeaten teams, Queen's slammed Waterloo 45-0 and Guelph, with a 31-10 win, eliminated Windsor from the post-season round.
Hapless Blues lose record 48th
Oct 14, 2007 04:30 AM
David Grossman
Toronto Star Sports Reporter
LONDON, Ont.–The University of Toronto Blues football team, now No. 1 in Canada, yesterday had a date with history. with their 48th loss in a row.
But being No. 1 has nothing to do with accomplishments ... more like futility.
Despite a million-dollar endowment fund for football, a stunning new facility and the ability to recruit players through sports scholarships, the Blues still entered the record books.
The University of Western Ontario Mustangs punished Toronto 44-1 in front of a loyal crowd of 5,350 at TD Waterhouse Stadium, the Blues' 48th consecutive loss.
The previous record of 47 defeats had been held by Toronto's other football team, then the York Yeomen. Now known as the Lions, York dropped to 1-7 and was eliminated from the OUA playoffs following a 40-16 drubbing at the hands of McMaster.
Liz Hoffman, Toronto's director of athletics and the only senior U of T administrator to show up for the historical game, had to deal with the embarrassment.
"We're not proud, obviously, of our record," said Hoffman in a post-game eulogy acknowledging that the record did not bode well for the current coaching staff.
A melancholy Toronto head coach Steve Howlett watched his team take 18 penalties for 191 yards, almost matching the Blues' total net offence of 246 yards.
"I'm disappointed with the outcome of the game. The record is not an issue, we didn't play well and came unglued," said Howlett, who hasn't won since he took over five years ago.
"It's difficult. I don't like to lose but we have to keep thinking about the future. The building blocks are there, just need to continue to add good players."
The record-breaking loss wasn't as bad as some of Toronto's previous blowouts. The worst was an 80-0 stinker to McMaster in 2003, while the narrowest margin of defeat was a few weeks ago, a 21-20 loss to York. And the Blues are still a long way from the NCAA football record of 80 straight defeats by Prairie View A&M from 1989-98.
Western coach Greg Marshall can see a change in Toronto's game.
"They have come miles, really progressed. I know they're getting picked on because of the record," said Marshall. "I remember when they couldn't compete at this level. We weren't rolling over them by any means. We got some breaks and cashed in. They'll turn it around."
Toronto's only point came on a 65-yard single by Mark Stinson with 8:50 left in the game.
In other OUA games, Ottawa beat Laurier 27-15 in a battle of previously unbeaten teams, Queen's slammed Waterloo 45-0 and Guelph, with a 31-10 win, eliminated Windsor from the post-season round.