“I’ve played too many times against Montreal to think that the game is over with only a few points up and still some time on the board…”
Posted at 7:54 p.m.
Laval University Rouge et Or head coach Glen Constantin was right. The Carabins of the Université de Montréal managed a field goal at the last second of the game to win 21-18 in front of the visitors, another chapter in one of the most beautiful rivalries in Quebec sport.
“Our games are often played on a single possession, often on the last play of the game, recalled Marco Iadeluca, the head coach of the Carabins. They are two super nice football teams. We had a bit of the advantage in the first quarter, they took it back in the second and it was like that until the end. »
The Rouge et Or thought they had done the hard part with less than three minutes to play and an equal score when a successful fake beauty put them in a good position on the field.
The Carabins defense held firm, however, and the offense had one last chance. Two assists and two carries brought the ball to the Rouge et Or 37 and kicker Philippe Boyer sealed the game with a field goal from 45 yards. Two series before, the same Boyer had tied the game with a beautiful 63-yard clearance deep in the opposing end zone. The kicker had already made three other field goals on 37, 37 and 23 yards.
I’m really happy with my performance and that of the whole team. It was tight throughout the game and we never let up. I knew it could happen against Laval, but I stayed in my bubble and prepared like I do for all my kicks.
Philippe Boyer, Carabins kicker
Contrary to their habit, quarterbacks Jonathan Sénécal (Carabins) and Arnaud Desjardins (Rouge et Or) left the spotlight to their teammates from the defensive units. Often chased by several players, each made rare blunders and only Desjardins managed a touchdown pass, to Édouard Arsenault, in the second quarter. Kicker Vincent Blancard added three field goals (36, 14 and 36 yards) for the Rouge et Or.
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Wedens Alexandre (16) of the Carabins and Vincent Delisle (20) of the Rouge et Or
The two best defenses
They were probably the two best defenses in the country that were on the field on Saturday and they caused a lot of problems for them. Linebacker Michael Brodrique had the most spectacular play, intercepting a Desjardins pass that he returned 65 yards to put the Carabins up 10-0 in the first quarter.
Absent during his team’s first game due to an injury, the star linebacker made his presence felt: “We wanted to come in strong and put pressure on their quarterback, we did it well at the start of the game, then again in the second half. »
“We cannot predict a pick six (interception for a touchdown), but we had visualized their formations before the match and we were ready for this kind of play. I am happy to have been able to help the team in this way for my return! »
Iadeluca also underlined the intensity of his team in defense. “And we expected Laval to be very strong as well,” he added. It’s a team with a lot of pride. They had a hard time last week (at McGill) against a young quarterback and a new system of play that they didn’t know, but we knew it would be different today. »
As for the Rouge et Or, Glen Constantin also underlined the work of the two defences: “We knew what to expect from the Carabins, they made big plays at the right times to prevent us from scoring points which could have made the difference. But I’m really proud of the reaction of my players after our last match. We were still facing a very mobile quarter and we contained him really well.
“It’s satisfying to see that everything we worked on in training this week has been put into practice today. And that bodes well for the rest of the season. »
With a 2-1 record now, the Rouge et Or will enjoy a week off. The Carabins (2-0), they will host the Sherbrooke Vert et Or (2-1), Friday at 7 p.m., still at the Center Claude-Robillard, their “home” for the 2022 season, whose bleachers were full at brim on Saturday.
“We still have things to work on, to improve,” said Marco Iadeluca. I am not satisfied with our game in the Red Zone, to finish our series well, but I’m still happy with our game so far this season. We will take this victory and continue to work. »
In the other game, next Saturday, the McGill Redbirds (0-2) and Concordia Stingers (0-2) will be looking for their first victory this season.