The start of the 2022 U SPORTS football season is just under two weeks away, and everything from conference schedules to playoff formats will look a lot different than they did a year ago.
We’re giving you a complete guide on everything you need to know!
Season Start Dates
The 2022 U SPORTS football regular season will begin on August 27, 2022, when ten OUA teams, four AUS teams, and four RSEQ teams open their regular season schedules.
The Canada West conference will open its regular season on September 2 and September 3, 2022 when all six teams touch the field.
6 Game Regular Seasons - A Thing Of The Past
In 2021, the OUA, AUS, and Canada West conferences all played shortened six-game regular seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the RSEQ carried on with its traditional eight-game schedule.
This year, all four conferences will follow an eight-game schedule.
OUA Divisions - A Thing Of The Past
Short essay incoming!
For many, this may be realization of happiness. While, for some - specifically Queen’s fans - this may not be the greatest news to digest. No matter which way you slice it, though, the reality is the divisional alignment experiment in the OUA did not receive a passing grade from Canadian football fans.
Before we become too critical, it must be acknowledged that divisional alignment did have it highlights. Separating the conference allowed for the creation of one of the most competitive divisions we’ll ever see in U SPORTS football. Often referred to as a “super conference”, the OUA West proved to be an absolute gauntlet, as the nation’s top programs were packed into a condensed schedule.
With only four playoff spots up for grabs, Western, Guelph, Laurier, Waterloo, McMaster, and Windsor, provided fans with drama and theatre that was much needed after coming off of a one-year hiatus.
And then, there was the OUA East.
Despite having the West produce some of the most entertaining scenarios we’ve seen in awhile, the OUA East was plagued with a level of uncompetitiveness that didn’t sit well with fans.
While many leaned on the excitement of the West for a reason as to why divisions may work in the OUA, the ultimate payoff said it all as the Yates Cup proved to be a 29-0 onslaught victory for the Western Mustangs - The first Yates Cup shut out in 50 years.
WIth that being said, the OUA has resumed its regular scheduled programming, and divisions are now a thing of the past.
Shrum Bowl
This game won’t necessarily be happening during the 2022 U SPORTS football season, but, it certainly is noteworthy.
The UBC Thunderbirds announced back in June that they’ll be squaring off against Simon Fraser on December 2nd in an exhibition match dubbed the “Shrum Bowl”.
This will be the first time both programs play each other in 13 years - when Simon Fraser was a member of the Canada West conference before leaving to become an NCAA Division II program.
For now, UBC and SFU have agreed to a two year deal that will see this year’s game be played at Terry Fox Field on the SFU campus and sanctioned under American football rules. Next year’s game will be played at Thunderbird Stadium on the UBC campus, and sanctioned under Canadian football rules.
A game unlike we’ve seen before, this year’s Shrum Bowl presents fans with the opportunity to not only see a U SPORTS program share the field with an NCAA counterpart, but also see how a U SPORTS programs fairs under American football rules.
Happening in December, the game will be played directly after the culmination of the 2022 U SPORTS football season, so be sure to keep December 2nd circled on your calendars.
Playoff Start Dates
The 2022 U SPORTS conference playoffs are set to begin on October 29, 2022 with the OUA Quarterfinals. The playoffs will continue on November 5, 2022 with the start of the RSEQ, Canada West, and AUS playoffs (Semifinals), as well as the OUA Semifinals.
The U SPORTS conference playoffs will conclude on November 12, 2022 with the Yates Cup (OUA), Hardy Cup (Canada West), Dunsmore Cup (RSEQ), and Loney Bowl (AUS) all being played on this day.
Bowl Games
This year’s Mitchel Bowl and Uteck Bowl games are scheduled to be played on November 19, 2022.
The 2022 Mitchell Bowl will see the winners of the Dunsmore Cup (RSEQ) travel to Ontario to visit the winners of the Yates Cup (OUA). This will be the first time that the RSEQ champions square off against the OUA champions in a Bowl game since 2016 - Laval defeated Laurier by a score of 36-6.
The 2022 Uteck Bowl will see the winners of the Hardy Cup (Canada West) travel to the Atlantic to visit the winners of the Loney Bowl (AUS). This will also be the first time that the Canada West champions square off against AUS champions in a Bowl game since 2016 - Calgary defeated StFX by a score of 50-24.
Vanier Cup
The 57th Vanier Cup is schedule to be played on November 26, 2022. The game will be hosted at Western Alumni Stadium on campus at Western University in London, Ontario. This will be the first Vanier Cup to ever be played in London.
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