At the heart of the battle between the Rouge et Or of Laval University and the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday to obtain the 59e Vanier Cup, we will find the RSEQ and Ontario MVPs Arnaud Desjardins and Taylor Elgersma.
• Also read: The two coaches have a great bond dating back to a University of Michigan camp
• Also read: The reputation of the Rouge et Or supporters is well established
The two fourth-year pivots who participated in the East-West Challenge last May in Waterloo and who maintain a good relationship had an exceptional season.
Desjardins and Elgersma believe that the Vanier Cup will not come down to a battle between the two 6’5″ and 6’6″ guys. “I have 11 guys around me and the best game designers [playmaker] in the country. I just have to put the ball in the hands of my receivers and my running backs and they will do their thing. And there is the offensive line which protects me very well.
Desjardins also relies on teamwork to achieve success. “I’m not worried about the quarterback battle,” he assured. My goal is not to outplay the other quarterback. It’s going to take a team effort to win.”
Both coaches are unanimous about Elgersma, who has averaged 330 yards per game since the start of the season. “This is the best-honed and most complete offense we will face this season,” said head coach Glen Constantin. Their quarterback is very, very precise. The ball comes out well and their pace is good. They rely on RPO (run-pass option) very often and you will have to be careful.”
NFL as a possibility?
A former star quarterback himself, Michael Faulds is complimentary of his pivot. “Taylor is very special,” said the Golden Hawks pilot. Yes, he’s 6’6″ and has a cannon arm, but he’s very strong between his ears and that’s what impresses me the most. All quarterbacks are good with their first and second reads, but Taylor can get to his fourth and fifth reads. He is very precise and can place the ball in a trunk box over a distance of 30 yards.
Faulds is convinced that his protégé can play in the CFL, but that he also has the attributes to get a chance in the NFL. “He can break the glass ceiling surrounding Canadian quarterbacks in the CFL, but he can also aspire to the NFL. He has the size of quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert.
Because the Golden Hawks rely on an explosive attack that boasts 19 plays of 20 yards or more since the start of the playoffs and they have a good habit of stacking touchdowns consecutively, will the Rouge et Or be tried to respond blow by blow with the Elgersma gang? “It’s not our style and we don’t want to end up in a touch football match,” said head coach Glen Constantin. Our goal is to control the ball and play complementary football. Time of possession and field positioning will be very important.”
Desjardins agrees. “It’s dangerous to want to compete blow for blow,” he admitted, “but we won’t let ourselves be bothered by Laurier’s offensive. We must stay focused on our task. We want to avoid turnovers and control the ball.”
Laurier’s offense ranks first in the country, as does Laval’s defense. Duel at the top to be expected? “I don’t think everything is going to be decided there,” Desjardins said. I have no doubt that we have the best defense in the country. We talk a lot about Laurier’s offense, but we are ready to show that we also have a good offense.
