The Lycoming College football team set foot on Canadian turf this weekend as they geared up for a game outside the U.S. for the second time in program history.
The team heads to Vanier College in Montreal, Quebec for a 2 p.m. exhibition game on Sunday, May 21, at the College's turf field.Â
The game will be played under Canadian football rules — complete with a longer and wider field (110x65 yards to America's 100x52), deeper endzones (20 yards to America's 10), 12 players on each side of the ball, the allowing of any non-lineman to move before the ball is snapped and a point will be awarded each time a kicked ball goes out of the end zone.
Lycoming has made the trip with 65 players, departing on Thursday, May 18, arriving in Montreal at mid-day May 19. On Friday and Saturday, the team will have opportunities to sightsee while fitting in a Saturday practice at McGill University.
The team toured Old Montreal, which dates back to 1604 when Samuel de Champlain set up a fur-trading post in the Quebec city. Several 17th century buildings still exist in the old city, as well as the Old Port and Champ de Mars, a large public space. The team will return to the United States following the game on Sunday afternoon. Â
Under NCAA rules, teams are allowed to travel outside the United States to play a spring season game once every three years. They are also allowed an additional 10 practices in preparation for that contest.
