Can the Rouge et Or of Université Laval and the Carabins of Université de Montréal concoct another Hollywood scenario to crown the RSEQ champions, Saturday at PEPS for the Dunsmore Cup?
The two regular season duels between the two great rivals ended by a point on each occasion and provided dramatic endings that kept fans and viewers on the edge of their seats until the end.
“It’s ridiculous how both teams always find a difficult way to win,” said Rouge et Or head coach Glen Constantin. It’s difficult for the emotions, but it makes for a good show.”
“Both teams always find a new way to age the coaches and make it more exciting,” adds Blues driver Marco Iadeluca. It’s a privilege to participate in a championship match that involves such a great rivalry.”
On a 53-yard field goal, Laval won the first game 23-22 and Montreal stopped a two-point convert attempt to win the return game 32-31 in overtime.
Defenses on the lookout
After an aerial festival during the last duel between the two great rivals where the two quarterbacks had crossed the plateau of 300 yards passing, will the Dunsmore Cup be the opportunity for the defenses to steal the show like us Have we seen it so often in the past?
“We won’t be entitled to a match like October 12 at CEPSUM, but it won’t be like last year’s Dunsmore Cup (12-6 victory for the Blues) either,” summed up Iadeluca. At the Dunsmore Cup, defenses always find a way to be more watertight.”
Constantine agrees. “The offense sells tickets, but the defense wins championships,” explained the Laval pilot. The defenses will have their say.”
Winners of the Jeff Russell Trophy over the last two seasons, Arnaud Desjardins and Jonathan Sénécal are at the top of their game. “We are talking about two exceptional quarterbacks, two graduate students and two models of what student sport best represents,” said Iadeluca. We do not highlight enough the journey of these two individuals who will continue to be leaders in their post-careers.”
Coach of the defensive line, Constantin is aware that Sénécal represents quite a threat. “It’s very difficult to defend a quarterback who is a dual threat with his arm and his legs. As a defensive coach, you have to put your ego aside. The games where you allow only 200 yards are very rare.
Who are the favorites?
Who are the favorites in a context where the two teams are so close to each other? “The title of favorite, I leave that to the media and the fans,” said Iadeluca. We are undoubtedly playing our best football of the season. We wanted to reach our peak by entering the playoffs. We finished the season well at Concordia and played a solid game against McGill.”
Constantin assures that his team is in no way embarrassed to come up against the reigning champions. “The Carabins are ranked number in the country so I imagine they are the favorites,” he said. No one in our locker room has anything to envy of them.”
The Vanier Cup sooner than expected?
Some believe that the winner of the Dunsmore Cup will lift the Vanier Cup in two weeks at Queen’s regardless of who their opponents are. “We are blessed to be involved in the biggest rivalry in the country, but this is the most difficult week of preparation,” summarized Constantin. The emotional aspect is very big because everyone knows each other. It is not only the tactical and strategic aspects that come into play as is the case against the West or Ontario. The winning team arrives very well prepared on the Canadian scene.”
“It’s the toughest match of the year because of the emotions,” added Iadeluca. The players played together in school or college football and the rivalry is very great.
