The Rouge et Or wins the Vanier Cup

KINGSTON | The Laval University Rouge et Or mastered the explosive offense of Wilfrid Laurier’s Golden Hawks who had upset everything in its path this season en route to the 12th Vanier Cup title in its history.

In a game where the defense shone brightly, the Rouge et Or won 22-17 on Saturday at Richardson Stadium at Queen’s University in front of a crowd of 9,500 spectators. A second victory in three years after the 2022 coronation.

Recipient of the Ted Morris Trophy as the game’s MVP, kicker Felipe Forteza made six field goals in seven attempts to set a U Sports record. He notably surpassed his former teammate Vincent Blanchard who had scored five in 2022 in the victory in London against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Ironically, his only failure in the final seconds of the game was welcome since the returner ran out precious seconds and the Laurier offense regained the ball with 13:5 at its 20 yard line.

A team victory

“This conquest is that of complementary football,” declared head coach Glen Constantin. The offense didn’t score a touchdown, but moved the ball well and controlled time of possession. The special teams did a very good job, notably with the numerous placements and the defense did a great job against a quarterback and a group of top receivers. We’re going to savor this one, but the future is promising. You have to stay humble and continue to progress.”

Leading 17-7 at the half, the Rouge et Or saw the Golden Hawks reduce the gap to two points with more than eight minutes in the 4th quarter, but the defense forced a fumble and the offense got first downs important by focusing mainly on the ground game.

As he did in the Dunsmore Cup against the Université de Montréal Carabins and another excellent quarterback in Jonathan Sénécal, the Rouge et Or dominated the time of possession. Laval had the ball for 36 minutes 35 seconds. All the while, Hec Crighton Trophy winner Taylor Elgersma sat on the bench and couldn’t do anything.

A U Sports record

With six placements, Forteza played a strong game, having had a roller coaster season before doing very well in the playoffs. “It’s rare that a kicker makes such a big difference in a match,” he said. Credit goes to Arnaud (Desjardins) who moved the ball well and gave me good positions.”

“As a kicker, you have good days and not so good days, but you would be damned if you were to succeed 100 percent in the same move, chasing the former linebacker who is devoting himself to his job as a kicker for the first time at full time. My work with my mental trainer represents the big difference.

After an excellent first half where Desjardins cut through the Golden Hawks defense with gains of 217 yards (22 in 25), the Rouge et Or turned mainly to the race in the last 30 minutes while the champions of the Ontario pressured the quarterback with only three players and placed nine players in coverage.

“Due to the adversity in 2023, this victory is different from 2022,” said Desjardins, who won the Bruce Coulter Trophy as the offensive player par excellence. They used more resources to counter the pass in the second half and we ran more. In two Vanier Cup victories, I don’t have a single touchdown pass, but that must be the way to win. This victory in front of my family is incredible. We have been the underdogs since the start of the year.”

“Our defense has been extraordinary all season,” added Desjardins, who completed 34 of his 42 passes for 320 yards. Our young people will terrify opposing offensives for a long time.”

The Swiss Army knife of Rouge et Or

Used in all sauces as Desjardins warned us on Friday, at the end of the team’s last training session, Mathieu Roy crossed the 100-yard mark for a second consecutive game. He had 90 yards on 19 carries and 66 on 13 receptions for a grand total of 156.

“I never thought it would be possible to touch the ball more than 30 times,” admitted the 2nd year running back. It’s fun to be able to make a good contribution. I made a little mistake with a fumble in the 3rd quarter that could have cost the game, but the guys held on defensively.”

Deep disappointment

After a perfect season, all hopes were high for the Golden Hawks to win the 3rd Vanier Cup in their history after the 1991 and 2005 coronations. “We not only wanted to participate in the Vanier Cup, but to seize the opportunity to win, emphasized head coach Michael Faulds. I am disappointed for our graduates that we were not able to complete our journey with a victory.”

“After a slow first quarter where our defense did a good job of limiting the Rouge et Or to field goals, we reduced the gap to three points, but were not able to take advantage of this momentum over the two series. following, to pursue Faulds who lost at the Vanier Cup for a second time against the Rouge et Or after the defeat in 2008 as a player in the uniform of the Western Mustangs. We had problems in pass protection. Credit to Glen and his team.”

The championship match was presented on TVA Sports.

Fourth quarter:

LAVAL 22 – LAURIER 17 : [2:31] – Felipe Forteza makes a sixth field goal in this game, a Vanier Cup record

LAVAL 19 – LAURIER 17 : [8:26] – The Golden Hawks score a field goal

LAVAL 19 – LAURIER 14 : [14:56] – The Golden Hawks give their rivals another safety touchdown

Third quarter:

LAVAL 17 – LAURIER 14 : [08:49] – The Golden Hawks score a second touchdown and get closer to the score

Second quarter:

LAVAL 17 – LAURIER 7 : [02:09] – A big turnover created by the Rouge et Or defense allows the kicker to score a fifth field goal, which ties the Vanier Cup record

LAVAL 14 – LAURIER 7 : [02:33] – Four for four for Forteza

LAVAL 11 – LAURIER 7 : [04:57] – The Golden Hawks open their score with a five-yard pass from Taylor Elgersma to Ryan Hughes

LAVAL 11 – LAURIER 0 : [07:01] – The Rouge et Or adds another placement

LAVAL 8 – LAURIER 0 : [11:50] – The Golden Hawks concede a safety touchdown

Premier quart :

LAVAL 6 – LAURIER 0 : [02:54] – Forteza adds three more points to his tally, this time from 15 yards

LAVAL 3 – LAURIER 0 : [11:42] – Kicker Felipe Forteza gives the Rouge et Or the lead with an 18-yard field goal