Already a Rouge et Or–Carabins clash for the third week of activities in Quebec university football. The two teams, which have shared the last 18 provincial titles, are still at the top this season and, although the Carabins have won the last four games between the two teams, we expect a tight duel.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
“It always goes quickly at the start of the season with only one week of camp and one week of preparation before the first game, recalled the head coach of the Carabins of the University of Montreal, Marco Iadeluca, this week in an interview. It went well at Concordia [victoire de 26-18] and, although our bye week has come a little early, I’m happy with how our players have performed so far. »
“The Rouge et Or is still an excellent football team, capable of scoring a lot of points, of being effective on special teams, of doing well in defense as well. The past no longer counts and we are focusing on this season. It’s early and we know that we will progress, they too will progress. It will be interesting to see them again during the second half of the season in Quebec. »
The Carabins will be deprived of an important asset on Saturday since they will not be playing in their CEPSUM castle due to major renovations to the university’s sports facilities. The team’s supporters usually create a hostile environment for visitors, but that shouldn’t be the case at the Claude-Robillard centre, the Blues’ home for the season.
“It’ll be like playing all of our games on the road,” Iadeluca said. We’ll have to take the bus, get dressed there. And it is sure that the atmosphere will not be the same as at the CEPSUM. But we have to know how to adapt and we will do it. »
A duel of quarters?
The Université Laval Rouge et Or started the season with two wins, but head coach Glen Constantin still expects the best from his players. Last Saturday, the team’s defense gave up more than 550 yards to the McGill Redbirds and their rookie quarterback Eloa Latendresse-Régimbald; this Saturday, she faces the excellent Jonathan Sénécal.
“It is certain that we will have to do better in defense, underlined Constantin. We’re going to have to put more pressure on the line, our covers will have to be tighter and we’re going to have to finish all of our games well. Jonathan is very mobile and he has the ability to extend his games with his feet. »
The quarterback of the Carabins also seems even better this season.
Jonathan, like all players, was unable to access all training facilities last year due to COVID. Last winter, he was able to benefit from it and you can see the difference: he is faster, stronger, he has gained muscle mass.
Marco Iadeluca
“In addition, he is entering his second season with us, knows the league better, our system of play, our playbook and we can see good progress. That said, we want him to be himself, not to try to do too much, just to do his job and distribute the ball well. »
Still without star receiver Hassane Dosso due to an injury, the Carabins offense is counting on several new players. “Injuries are opportunities for other players,” said the team’s head coach. Many seized their chance at Concordia and I expect that will continue to be the case all season. »
Iadeluca, who is also the Carabins’ offensive coordinator, considers the current crop of quarterbacks to be the best he’s ever seen in Quebec university football. That of the Rouge et Or, Arnaud Desjardins, is having an excellent start to the season. The former cégep du Vieux Montréal came close to perfection last Saturday at McGill, passing 23 of his 27 passes, including 5 for touchdowns.
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Laval University Rouge et Or quarterback Arnaud Desjardins (12)
Perhaps less flamboyant than Sénécal or Latrendresse-Régimbald, Desjardins appreciates that the attention is on his teammates, on receiver Kevin Mital in particular, author of four touchdowns against the Redbirds. “My offensive line does a great job of protecting me well and I just have to distribute the ball,” he explained. I also have to give credit to the pass receivers, to Kevin, who was sensational [contre McGill]. »
Former of the Grasset college with Sénécal, Mital was directed there by a certain Marco Iadeluca. “Kevin, I know him very well and I know he’s a great football player,” explained the Carabins head coach. A player like him, you can’t stop him, you can just slow him down, limit the damage, so he doesn’t hurt us too much. »
The Laval Rouge et Or against the Montreal Carabins this Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Claude-Robillard center
Sherbrooke wins
While the McGill University Redbirds took a 10-3 lead in the first half, the Université de Sherbrooke Vert&Or scored 18 points in the second half to win 21-13 on Friday night.