Team West edged out Team East in a dramatic 28–27 finish at the 2026 U SPORTS East-West Bowl on May 9. The annual competition is an opportunity for the best university football players in Canada to showcase themselves as prospects for the Canadian Football League. 

Team East is made up of players from Atlantic University Sport and Quebec Student Sport Network, along with Carleton, Ottawa, Queen’s, and Toronto from Ontario University Athletics (OUA). Team West is primarily made up of players from Canada West and the remaining OUA schools, including Guelph, Waterloo, and Western. 

Played at Warrior Field in Waterloo, Ontario, the game was decided at the last second when Windsor Lancers defensive lineman Ahmad Taylor secured a field goal block on a 17-yard attempt. Down by two and with ample time for a potential game-winning drive, Sherbrooke Vert et Or running back Jonathan Martel-Joseph drove the ball to midfield on a massive 62-yard punt return, advancing Team East inches away from field goal range.

Six plays into their final drive of the game, Team East burned its last timeout and settled for a field goal attempt to seal the game. The ball grazed Taylor’s fingertip, deflecting it wide left and allowing Team West to escape with a one-point win in the annual university all-star showdown.

This was the third straight year that Team West emerged victorious in the exhibition game. Guelph Gryphons quarterback Tristan Aboud bagged Offensive Player of the Game for his performance, dropping 280 passing yards and orchestrating Team West’s offence. Saskatchewan Huskies safety Ethan Laing nabbed Defensive Player of the Game honours after backstopping Team West’s defence and snatching a key fourth-quarter interception to keep Team East’s attack at bay.

Reppin’ the Blues

Despite the loss, the Varsity Blues were well-represented in the game as members of Team East, with significant individual outputs from U of T’s football program standouts. Cornerback Devon Crenshaw and linebacker Ryan Stewart each registered five tackles to place in a three-way tie for second most tackles from Team East, demonstrating their defensive prowess.

The offensive line does the dirty work in football. Their impact often doesn’t show in individual stat sheets, but substantially affects the team’s offensive production by protecting the quarterback during live play. Despite the close loss, blame cannot be put on Team East’s pass protection, including U of T’s Gavin Hemeon, as they kept their quarterbacks clean and gave up zero sacks. Team East also notched 105 net rushing yards — a single yard behind Team West — which is the result of effective run protection.

Wide receiver Denayden Lee-Daniel, who was a late addition to the East-West Bowl, also tallied a single 11-yard reception for Team East. Chris Joseph, the wide receiver who holds the U SPORTS record for most receptions in a season, and safety Lachlan Scardina rounded out the list of representatives for the Blues in the showcase.

With a game-wrecking defensive duo and a reliable anchor on the O-line, the Blues’ roster shapes up as something to keep an eye on for the 2026 season. Armed with a highly promising crop of players, the Blues will look to turn their fortunes around after finishing dead last in the OUA last fall. The Blues will kick off their season at home on Sunday, August 30, against the Queen’s Gaels.