Double defending champions of the Dunsmore Cup, the Carabins of the Université de Montréal are aiming for a hat-trick this season, unprecedented in the history of the team. And if they have the assets to succeed, they will also have to be wary of their great rival, the Laval University Rouge et Or, and the three other formations of the Quebec university football association, the Concordia Stingers, the McGill Redbirds and Sherbrooke Vert & Or.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
With an attack led by the excellent Jonathan Sénécal and a seasoned defense, the Carabins will want to do even better than last year, when they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the national semi-finals against the Saskatchewan Huskies.
“Obviously our goal is to win the last game of the season. [la finale de la Coupe Vanier], but we can’t take anything for granted,” said Gabriel Cousineau, assistant offensive coordinator for the Carabins. All the teams are competitive, they showed it last season, we will have to be ready for all our matches. »
In Quebec, the Rouge et Or have not been provincial champions since 2018, an eternity for this team used to playing for the national championship. And everything has been put in place for this season to be that of revenge, with in particular a large recruitment, crowned by the arrival of the phenomenon Kalenga Muganda.
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, LE SOLEIL ARCHIVES
Kalenga Muganda, new ball carrier for the Rouge et Or
The ball carrier stood out at the Séminaire Saint-François (secondary) by beating all RSEQ records. Still impressive at the collegiate level with the Old Montreal Spartans by being named offensive player par excellence and rookie of the year, he then left for California where things did not turn out as he had hoped.
Beaten three times last season, the Rouge et Or want to regain their dominance. According to head coach Glen Constantin, his team lacked a bit of experience in 2021, like quarterback Arnaud Desjardins. “We were particularly young defensively and I think a year spent in our system did a lot of good for a lot of players for their confidence,” he explained in an interview with the Sun. And Arnaud is now in splendid form and he is in control. »
Rivals that progress
Solid third in 2021, the Concordia Stingers hope to improve further this season. Head coach Brad Collinson’s team is still counting on excellent quarterback Olivier Roy, RSEQ MVP, who led the league’s most explosive offense last season.
PHOTO PASCAL RATTHÉ, LE SOLEIL ARCHIVES
Concordia Stingers quarterback Olivier Roy (left)
“Of course we are happy with our success in attack in 2021, but there is still a lot to do to reach the level we are aiming for, insisted Collinson in an interview. Since my arrival at Concordia, we have tried to stick to a plan, to a process that is starting to show results. This year is the first time that all the players have been recruited by my assistants and me, the first time that everyone shares the same vision, the same objectives.
“We had good recruitment, like all the teams, and that allows us to have depth in all positions. We had a good preparation, since the end of the last season in fact, and at the moment, while the lessons have not yet started, everyone is focused on football! »
In Sherbrooke, head coach Mathieu Lecompte wants to see the Vert & Or take another step this season, with not only a place in the playoffs, but also successes against the favorites. The team also caused quite a surprise last season by beating the Rouge et Or, 23-17, in front of its supporters, a decisive victory for the qualification in the semi-finals where Sherbrooke lost to the Carabins. Quarterback Anthony Robichaud should also be more comfortable for his third season.
At McGill, the Redbirds hope to resume a progression that was somewhat slowed down last season. Quarterback Éloa Latendresse-Regimbald, college player par excellence of the D1 last season at Vanier, should soon see action and he is well surrounded.
Head coach Ronald Hilaire is happy to have been able to organize a “real” preparation camp: “Our players come from all over and it’s important to be able to bring them together before the season to create a team spirit. We missed it a bit last season. »
As for his team’s goals, Hilaire likes to put things into perspective: “Montreal and Laval will always remain competitive, but the other teams are improving every season, as we saw last season. There are 27 U Sports football programs in the country and only one is champion each season. The others are not losers and I believe that it is possible, each in their own way, to create something special each season, to help our players to have a football experience that will then serve them for the rest of their life. »
In action this Saturday
- Montreal vs. Concordia, Concordia Stadium, 2 p.m.
- Sherbrooke v. Laval, Telus Stadium, 7 p.m.