BOX SCORE Queen's Football has blazed a trail of historic games  — especially when it comes to memorable clashes in the west.

The First Official Western Semi (Now Mitchell Bowl) - The Historic 1968 Victory

One of the most iconic moments in Queen's Football history came in 1968 when the Gaels defeated the University of Manitoba Bisons 29-6 in Winnipeg. This match was more than just a win; it marked the very first official Western Semi-final, now known as the Mitchell Bowl. That year was also the inaugural season of the "College Bowl," which would later be renamed the Vanier Cup, Canada's national university football championship.

Following their decisive victory over Manitoba, Queen's went on to face Waterloo Lutheran (now Wilfrid Laurier University, Laurier Golden Hawks) in the national championship game at Toronto's Varsity Stadium, winning handily 42-14. Led by standout players Don Bayne, Skip Eamon, and Heino Lilles, this team etched its name in history as the first College Bowl champion.

The 1968 win over Manitoba remains the last time an Ontario university football team has won a Mitchell Bowl game while traveling to the western provinces.

• Queen's appeared in two more Mitchell Bowls out west — in 1970 against Manitoba and in 1989 versus the University of Saskatchewan — but came up short on both occasions.
• In total, there have been 13 Mitchell Bowl games held in western Canada since 1968, with Ontario teams winning only that initial Queen's victory.

Early Western Clashes: From the Grey Cup to Exhibition Games

Queen's connection to western teams dates back far beyond the Mitchell Bowl era. In 1923, the Gaels delivered a historic 54-0 victory over the Regina Roughriders, securing what was then effectively the Canadian football championship — the Grey Cup. This early showdown underscores Queen's longstanding competitiveness on the national stage.

The last Mitchell Bowl win in the west remains a high mark for the Queen's football program and its alumni.

Queen's competes again Saturday in the 2025 Mitchell Bowl against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at the Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park, Saskatoon.