The Laval University Rouge et Or defeated the Concordia Stingers by a score of 41 to 18, Saturday at PEPS, to advance to the Dunsmore Cup for a 21e consecutive year.
The Rouge et Or will host the winner of the match between the Université de Montréal Carabins and the McGill Redbirds which takes place later on Saturday. If the Blues win, it will be an 11e consecutive duel between the two great rivals in the provincial final. As for the Redbirds, they are looking for their first presence in the ultimate RSEQ meeting since 2002.
Marcel Tremblay / Agence QMI
Injured in one foot during the first series of the match, Arnaud Desjardins nevertheless played three quarters. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns.
Third quarter
The Rouge et Or started the second half in the same way as the first. On a second down and 16 yards to go, Arnaud Desjardins spotted Olivier Cool alone for an 84-yard pass and run for his second touchdown of the game. See this touchdown in the main video.
The Stingers did not give up. They scored their first major on a 20-yard pass to Mathieu Robitaille. The CNDF product added a second in the fourth quarter.
On the last play of the third quarter, the Rouge et Or struck again. The Stingers brought the cavalry and Desjardins completed a 30-yard veiled pass to Alex Duff. At the goal gate, William Tremblay scored his second touchdown of the game on a three-yard sneak.
A good start and a gift
The Rouge et Or opened the scoring on its first offensive series with a touchdown from William Tremblay on a five-yard run. Used in short gain situations and at the goal gate in 2023, the center back highlighted his return to the game with his first major of the season.
This sequence could have never happened as marauder Isaac Pépin let an easy interception slip through his hands. Laval took advantage of this gift to go 90 yards in nine plays.
Annoyed by a foot injury suffered in the first quarter, Arnaud Desjardins remained on duty and orchestrated a 75-yard sequence that ended with Olivier Cool’s touchdown on a three-yard pass while the Rouge et Gold converted a third down.
Taking advantage of a favorable wind in the second quarter, Felipe Forteza made field goals of 39 and 45 yards. Concordia’s response came from Eric Maximuik, who made a 39-yard field goal.
A bad throw on a punt led to a Stingers safety in the final seconds of the half.
