With the standings already set and the playoffs starting next weekend, Quebec college football’s final regular-season games were of secondary importance on Saturday, but the favorites still had things to prove.
Posted at 6:51 p.m.
At the Claude-Robillard centre, the Carabins of the Université de Montréal reassured themselves (a little) with a 24-9 victory over the McGill Redbirds.
After two straight losses, the defending Dunsmore Cup champions made the difference in the fourth quarter by controlling the ball and scoring 10 points thanks to a 12-yard field goal from Philippe Boyer and a touchdown from Simon Riopel on a 31 pass. yards from quarterback Jonathan Sénécal.
“It’s a victory that feels good, just as we enter the playoffs,” conceded Carabins head coach Marco Iadeluca. We focused on our game, on things we want to do next week. The guys came out to win. Defensively, against a quarterback who can put a lot of points on the board, we gave them nothing; offensively, we found the end zone and the return of Hassane (Dosso) is really good. I have the impression that we took our air of going. It remains to limit the reversals, which still hurt us today. »
Returning to action after missing the entire season, wide receiver Hassane Dosso stood out late in the game with six receptions. “He hadn’t played for almost a year,” Iadeluca said. We didn’t want to overload him today; we wanted him to get his legs back, get his feelings back, so he’d be ready next week. His enthusiasm and confidence are contagious and his feedback is truly important. »
PHOTO SÉBASTIEN GERVAIS, PROVIDED BY THE CARABINS
Receiver Hassane Dosso (81) greets the Carabins supporters.
Dosso admitted: “I was a little short of breath at the start, but the energy and the adrenaline came back as the match progressed. And I was happy to come back against Ben Labrosse (the cornerback of the Redbirds), the best in the league in his position, which forced me to quickly find my bearings. »
Down for two games, the Carabins offense got off to a good start, but the first series ended with a failed field goal attempt by Philippe Boyer, its fourth in two games. The Blues did not give up and finally managed to score on the next series after a combination of great runs from Bertrand Beaulieu and precise passes from Jonathan Sénécal. It was finally Williams Legault who scored the touchdown on a one-yard run.
Both offenses then struggled to make sustained pushes and it was the Redbirds defense that stood out. Benjamin Labrosse had the best play of the game, a spectacular one-handed interception after the ball was deflected, which he returned 57 yards for the touchdown. The Redbirds then took the lead, 9-7, thanks to a safety touchdown.
The Carabins, however, replied with a long push of seven plays and 74 yards, concluded by another touchdown from Legault, on a 22-yard pass from Sénécal, just after Simon Riopel made an important five-yard run on a third down. .
PHOTO SÉBASTIEN GERVAIS, PROVIDED BY THE CARABINS
Running back Lyshawn Dubois on the field at Center Claude-Robillard, Saturday afternoon
On the Redbirds’ side, young quarterback Eloa Lartendresse-Régimblad and the offense struggled against the tough Carabins defense, but they didn’t give up. And the defense did not give in until the last quarter.
“I’m happy with my interception and the touchdown, but I would have liked to tighten my coverage on certain short courses,” explained Labrosse. We have a young team and, with good recruitment, I am convinced that we can only improve in the coming seasons. »
Despite a 1-7 record, the Redbirds have often shown great things this season and they can only improve.
Laval, ready for the playoffs
At Concordia, the Université Laval Rouge et Or beat the Stingers 37-24, confirming their status as playoff favorites. Wide receiver Kevin Mital took the opportunity to tie an RSEQ record with two touchdowns to bring his total to 12 this season. Quarterback Arnaud Desjardins, who will be a candidate for MVP of the season, had already amassed no less than 317 passing yards at halftime and finished the game with 29 completions on 41 attempts for 450 yards.
The Stingers (2-6) will face the Rouge et Or (7-1) again next Saturday in the provincial semi-finals, but it will be at the Stade Telus du PEPS in Quebec City. A big order.
In the other semi-final, the Sherbrooke Vert & Or (3-5) will be at the Claude-Robillard center to face the Carabins. Head coach Mathieu Lecompte’s players upset their rivals 12-5 last week in Sherbrooke and have often caused the Carabins trouble in the past.
“We are going to have a big week of preparation, assured Marco Iadeluca. The guys are excited and, as they say, we have things to set. »
NEXT SATURDAY
Concordia at Laval, 12 p.m.
Sherbrooke to Montreal, 3 p.m.