The Western Mustangs will hit the road to Toronto this weekend as the Mustangs open up their 2013 OUA season against the Toronto Varsity Blues on Sunday, August 25. Both teams will be fresh out of training camp and are determined to start the regular season off on the right foot.
 
Although this will be the first game action of 2013 for the Mustangs, the team has already faced off with OUA competition as the team hosted a controlled scrimmage and a run through of positional drills with the Guelph Gryphons last Sunday. Tensions between the two squads were high throughout the drills and competition was strong with both teams playing aggressively, trying to make a lasting impression for their coaches to take note of. That same Sunday the Toronto Varsity Blues took on the Concordia Stingers in an exhibition match-up at Varsity Stadium. After falling to the Stingers 31-24 in last year's exhibition game, the Varsity Blues led this year's play 21-12 for most of the game before allowing the Stingers to rally and eventually claim a 21-21 tie,  earning the draw by tying the game with just over a minute to play.
 
Sunday's matchup marks another early season tilt between the Blues and the Purple and White as the Mustangs hosted the Varsity Blues for the team's home opener in 2012, defeating Toronto 62-7. Western took the lead early in the contest, scoring their first touchdown on the third play less than a minute into the game. Despite the numbers on the scoreboard, the Varsity Blues continued to give the game all they had and with just over a minute remaining they were able to break through the Mustangs defence to deny a Western shutout. There is no doubt that the Varsity Blues will be looking to prove themselves on their home turf this Sunday when the Mustangs roll into town.
 
Offensively, the Mustangs will be led by second-year quarterback Will Finch, who is looking to build on his debut season which saw him step in for an injured Donnie Marshall. Last season he completed 49 of 89 passes for 818 yards and five touchdowns in the seven regular season games. On the ground, watch for running back Garret Sanvido as he is likely to be seeing most of the carries after putting together a stellar 2012 campaign in which he emerged as one of the nation's top running backs and earned the honour of First-Team All-Canadian.
 
On the Toronto offence, veteran receiver Paul de Pass will be a key player after setting career-highs in the 2012 season, and has ranked among the nation's leaders in yards per catch, placing in the top five in each of the past three seasons. Joining de Pass as one of quarterback Chris Jugovic's main weapons will be fourth-year receiver Alex Pierzchalski who is back for another season in Toronto after leading the team in receptions for the past two years.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Western's third-year defensive end Dylan Ainsworth will be looking to dominate after coming off of a successful 2012 season in which he earned 17 solo tackles, and set a Western record for sacks in a single season with 9.5 on the year. Another key Mustang to keep an eye out for is Daryl Waud, who returns after a 2012 season that saw him place second on the team in tackles, recording 30 stops while adding two sacks and an interception. With these veteran players returning to the defensive line, Toronto will have to battle hard once again to break through to the Mustang end zone.
 
The Toronto defence also returns the majority of its defensive front with 3-of-4 of the team's top defensive linemen all back again this year with Everton Williams, Abbey Olusoga, and Zack Lurkings all set to return. Linebacker and Cambridge, Ontario, native Dylan Gordon returns after leading the Blues in tackles in 2012 with 45, good for seventh in the OUA.
 
A key player for the Mustangs on special teams will be fifth year Lirim Hajrullahu. Liam showcased his range of athletic ability last year when he took control of both kicking and punting duties, scoring 98 points for the Mustangs and finished sixth in the nation in field goals.
 
For the Varsity Blues special teams, Kevin Bradfield will be one to watch as he takes on both the kick and punt return duties on Sunday. The Toronto native ranked first in the OUA and CIS with 698 kick return yards last season while finishing first in the OUA with 355 punt return yards.
 
Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. Fans can listen to all the action live on NewsTalk 1290 AM CJBK Radio, 94.9 FM CHRW Radio, and watch the webcast via GoBlues.TV.