After a week away from competition the Western Mustangs will travel down Highway 401 as they take on the University of Toronto Blues at Varsity Stadium on Thursday night.
 
Western enters the game ranked third in the nation and will be looking to remain undefeated when they take on the 2-3 Blues.
 
The Mustangs offence has been stellar all year long. In the last game against Carleton, a 70-14 win, the Mustangs took several long shots down the field, resulting in long touchdown throws for quarterback Will Finch. The deep ball is something the Mustangs have used sparingly this year, opting more often to get the ball in the hands of their receivers quickly and allowing them to move up field on the ground. The purple and white offence is averaging 766 yards per game and are scoring 65.4 points per contest, both tops in the CIS.
 
As a result of the quick hit mentality and great timing on his throws, Finch leads the OUA in completion percentage and is averaging 11.5 yards per completion, while also throwing 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions so far this season.
 
However, the Mustangs defensive unit has not been upstaged this year. They are allowing 377 yards per game, eighth in the nation and second in the OUA, and have forced a CIS high 17 turnovers in five games.  The Mustangs are limiting opponents to only 13 points a game thanks in large part to an aggressive defensive line that leads the nation with 21 sacks and a ball hawking secondary that has picked off 12 passes, also tops in the CIS.
 
Since his return to the lineup, defensive lineman Ricky Osei-Kusi has six sacks in four games, and safety Jesse McNair continues to lead the team in tackles with 31.5.
 
The Blues are coming off a victory over the York Lions in which second year running back Alex Malone rushed for a school record 315 yards with one touchdown. Look for Toronto to emphasize the run game in an attempt to limit turnovers that could cost them. This means that limiting Malone and leading rusher Divante Smith will be a key for the Mustangs, who have been doing an excellent job stopping the run so far this season, allowing only 135 yards per game, the third fewest in the OUA.
 
When the Blues drop back to throw the ball it will be up to quarterback Simon Nassar to try and find holes in the Mustangs secondary, something most quarterbacks have had trouble with the season as Western has only allowed 242.2 yards per game. So far in 2015 Nassar is throwing for 205.8 yards per game and has four touchdowns with seven interceptions. He has also been sacked 11 times; something the Mustangs will be looking to take advantage Thursday night.
 
Kickoff for Thursday night's contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Varsity Stadium. Fans can watch the action live on OUA.tv, or listen on CHRW Radio 94.9 FM and on Newstalk 1290 CJBK.