WINDSOR, Ont. - The University of Windsor Lancer football team is looking to put together another run for the Yates Cup championship this fall as they get set for the 2016 campaign.

Windsor opens the regular season on Sunday night when they travel to London to face the Western Mustangs at 7:00pm. The game can be seen live on CogecoTV and at www.oua.tv. 

The Lancers will aim to bounce back from a 2015 season that saw them finish with a 2-6 conference mark, placing them ninth in the OUA standings and just shy of a playoff spot. Not qualifying for the post season for the first time in five years left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Lancers, who after a renaissance season the year before were expecting bigger and better things. However, unfulfilled aspirations have left the men hungry for both regular season and playoff success in 2016.
 
"I am extremely excited about the 2016 season. We are still a young team in certain positions but we played a lot of freshmen late last year and we feel that valuable experience will only benefit us this year," said head coach Joe D'Amore.
 
The Lancers have the potential to boast a big offensive threat in the CIS. This is highlighted by Tarrence Crawford, who ranked first on the team last year with 9 touchdowns (5^th in the CIS) and 564 rushing yards.
 
Although young at the wide receiver position, the Lancers will provide a balanced plan without relying on one or two wide outs. Jeff Masson returns as the only fifth year at the position, while Noah Akharoh and Daynar Facey give Coach D'Amore additional target options.
 
Windsor will have two go-to kickers for the 2016 season. Anthony Malandruccolo returns to the position for a third season, while Clark Green joins the Blue & Gold from Concordia University. Malandruccolo was fifth overall in the CIS in 2015 with 77 punts, while Green holds the RSEQ record with a 90-yard punt.
 
All five starters on the offensive line return for the fourth consecutive year. The group is highlighted by CFL draft pick Randy Beardy at left tackle, and East-West Bowl participant Brett Boersma at right tackle. Filling in the line are centre Travis Durocher, Dan Benson, and Drew Desjarlis who spent the summer capturing a gold medal with Team Canada at the U19 World Championships in China.
 
The Lancers will look to leaders Frank Renaud, Tarik Bonas, and Joe Iatzko to provide the backbone for Windsor's defence. Renaud, a 2016 CFL draftee with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, returns to the lineup after missing the 2015 season due to injury.
 
In addition, the Lancers have added depth in all aspects of the game with a strong recruiting class, highlighted by quarterback and Michigan native Jalen Brady. Brady joins the Blue & Gold from Northern Michigan University and will compete for time at the helm with fourth year QB Casey Wright.
 
"With a good core of veterans and some young players ready to accept their new roles this season, we feel like we can compete with every team in the OUA as long as we stay healthy and continue to prepare hard for each game," said D'Amore.
 
The road to the Yates Cup will be a tough one as the Blue & Gold have a harsh schedule ahead of them in 2016. Opening the season against the perennial powerhouse Western Mustangs in London, the Lancers then face the OUA champion Guelph Gryphons in their home opener on Labour Day. Windsor also has two lengthy road trips back-to-back midway through the season to Ottawa and Queen's that may play a factor in the season outcome. 
 
D'Amore is optimistic about the schedule and feels that it is a challenge the team needs to tackle to succeed. "We have a challenging schedule especially early on, we need to stay focused and work through the early part, and if we do we feel we can make a push in the second half."