OUA announces 2014 football schedule

HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce the 2014 football schedule. The road to the 107^th Yates Cup kicks off on Sunday, August 24.

The Western Mustangs begin the defence of their Yates Cup title as they host the Windsor Lancers at TD Stadium in week one. The Mustangs took the OUA by storm in 2013, mounting 458 points against the opposition and reaching the 50-point plateau in seven of eight regular season games. The Mustangs’ season came to an abrupt end when they were upended 44-3 on the road by the Calgary Dinos in the Mitchell Bowl.

The highly anticipated Yates Cup rematch between the Mustangs and the Queen’s Gaels is slated for September 13 at Richardson Stadium. The Queen’s Gaels only blemishes in 2012 came at the hands of the Mustangs and the tri-colour will be looking to avenge their losses.

Other schedule highlights include:

• The Guelph Gryphons and the McMaster Marauders finished third and fourth, respectively, this past season and both of their seasons ended in the OUA semifinals. Guelph and McMaster face off on Labour Day.
• In addition to the Yates Cup rematch, week four houses two more rivalry matches. On September 13 York visits Toronto for the 45^th annual Red and Blue Bowl while Waterloo heads down the street to Laurier to take part in the Battle of Waterloo.
• The Panda Game was renewed in the nation’s capital in 2012 to celebrate Carleton’s return to the gridiron after a 15 year hiatus. The Ottawa Gee-Gees won that battle 35-10. On September 20, 2014, the Ravens will see if they fare any better as host.  
• Homecoming season begins across the OUA during week five, as alumni from Western and Guelph travel back to campus to support two of the OUA’s strongest football programs.
• The Gaels visit Ron Joyce Stadium and the Marauders as homecoming celebrations continue across the province in week six. Four of the five scheduled matches on September 27 will be played as part of alumni festivities.
• The Toronto Varsity Blues face the Carleton Ravens on October 4. It marks the 1000^th game played by the storied Varsity Blues football program.
• Western and Guelph faceoff at Alumni Stadium on October 18. Non-combatants in 2013, the week nine matchup will be the first time these two talented squads have met in over two years.

The OUA regular season concludes on October 18, with teams fighting for postseason positioning.

The OUA quarter-finals will take place on October 25, followed by the semifinals on November 1. Fans can look forward to the 107^th Yates Cup on November 8, presented by Pioneer Energy.

Week 1
August 24

Windsor @ Western
McMaster @ Ottawa
Queen’s @ Carleton
Guelph @ Laurier
Waterloo @ York

Week 2
Labour Day
September 1

Queen’s @ Windsor
Guelph @ McMaster
York @ Ottawa
Carleton @ Waterloo
Laurier @ Toronto

Week 3
September 6

Western @ York
McMaster @ Waterloo
Laurier @ Windsor
Ottawa @ Queen’s
Toronto @ Guelph

Week 4
September 13

Western @ Queen’s
Carleton @ McMaster
Guelph @ Ottawa
York @ Toronto
Waterloo @ Laurier

Week 5
September 20

Toronto @ Western
Queen’s @ Guelph
McMaster @ York
Ottawa @ Carleton
Windsor @ Waterloo

Week 6
September 27

Queen’s @ McMaster
Windsor @ York
Carleton @ Laurier
Western @ Waterloo
Ottawa @ Toronto

Week 7
October 4

York @ Laurier
Waterloo @ Ottawa
McMaster @ Western
Toronto @ Carleton
Guelph @ Windsor

Week 8
Thanksgiving
October 9

Laurier @ Western

October 10

Ottawa @ Windsor
Carleton @ Guelph

October 11

Toronto @ Queen’s

Week 9
October 18

York @ Queen’s
Windsor @ Carleton
Western @ Guelph
Laurier @ McMaster
Waterloo @ Toronto

October 25
OUA Quarter-finals

No. 6 @ No. 3
No. 5 @ No. 4
Bye – No. 1 and No. 2

November 1
OUA Semifinals

Lowest remaining seed @ No. 1
Highest remaining seed @ No. 2

November 8
107^th Yates Cup, presented by Pioneer Energy

OUA semifinal winners @ highest remaining seed