The Rouge et Or attack from Laval University had its best game of the season in Sherbrooke last Saturday, with gains of more than 200 yards and it will be able to count on the return of veteran ball carrier Alex Duff for the start of the playoffs.
Injured an ankle during the 29-2 victory against the Vert & Or on September 22, Duff missed the last four games of the regular season, but he will be at his post on Saturday for the semi-final against the Stingers from Concordia.
The product of the Notre-Dame-de-Foy campus could possibly have regained the collar during the last match, but the main stakeholders decided to play it safe so that he was 100 percent restored.
“When I got injured, we thought I could come back during the match in Sherbrooke, but it took longer to heal 100 percent,” he said. Healing in the first two weeks was going well. In the end, we were talking about an absence of four to six weeks and that’s what happened.”
Duff didn’t want to rush his return even if he was pawing impatiently to play. “We didn’t want to have any doubt if I was 100 percent cured and we made the wisest decision. Anyway, I wasn’t stressed about coming back as quickly as possible since we’re banking on a good group of carriers with depth. I knew I was going to come back and I had confidence.”
Greater excitement than usual
Duff returned to full training with his teammates on Tuesday and was delighted. “Everything went well and I’m even more excited because it’s the start of the playoffs,” he said. It’s an even more exciting time during which you want to perform even more. My feet were lighter during practice. I would have liked to play a game before the start of the playoffs, but I have no concerns.”
“I was very well supervised during my rehabilitation and I was not on vacation,” continued Duff. The team’s medical staff made sure I was in good shape when I returned.”
Justin Éthier is delighted to have Duff back. “He was playing very well before his injury,” said the Rouge et Or offensive coordinator. “He is back healthy and he can be used without any restrictions.”
Good start to the season
Back as a carrier after a transfer to receiver last year which was not crowned with success, Duff is back in his slippers. He had a good start before falling into battle with gains of 119 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries in addition to 97 yards on 10 receptions.
“I was very happy with my start to the season,” he said. I was involved and it was going well. There is good chemistry with the offensive line and Arnaud (Desjardins). The rotation system works well and everyone is used according to their strengths. In the match in Sherbrooke to end the regular season, it was fun to see the guys’ performance. Angel (Vital) was incredible.”
