It was ultimately receiver Kevin Mital who was right! The Rouge et Or of Université Laval spent the scratch Saturday afternoon in London to win the 11e Vanier Cup in its history and its first since 2018. A flawless performance in the second half of the Quebec team led to the loss of the Saskatchewan Huskies by a score of 30-24 at Western Alumni Stadium in front of 8,420 spectators.
For many Rouge et Or fans, this victory brings the Vanier Cup back to its true home. The Université Laval program has won the precious trophy 42% of the time since the beginning of its history with 11 Canadian championships in 26 seasons. An astronomical average of nearly one in five times since the beginning of the Canadian university circuit with 11 successes in 57 seasons for 19.2%. Head coach Glen Constantin earns his tenth ultimate match win against just two failures.
Receiver Kevin Mital inspired his squad with an eight-catch performance for 142 yards while being hampered by multiple injuries. He also threw a touchdown pass on a trick play in formation Wildcat at the one-yard line early in the fourth quarter to lead the team to victory. His quarterback Arnaud Desjardins booked his best football in the fourth quarter to end his day on the job with 397 aerial yards. Kicker Vincent Blanchard tied a Vanier Cup mark with five field goals.
A mixture of pride and euphoria inhabited head coach Glen Constantin after the difficult victory of his team.
Each Vanier Cup is different and each group has its story. I am very proud of this group of players. I think we weren’t able to match their level of intensity in the first half, our covers were off and there were mistakes on the defensive front. I’m happy with the adjustments that were made at the half and there was more pressure on the quarterback for the rest of the game.
Glen Constantin, Rouge et Or head coach
There was no doubt for the seasoned pilot that the performance of receiver Kevin Mital was able to galvanize his training.
“He’s a fighter. His personal mission was to be champion and he wasn’t going to rest until he was. He gave it his all today and he had a big impact today. I don’t know how long he will play in Quebec, but people have to take advantage of it because he is a generational player. »
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, THE SUN
Rouge et Or players
No empty promises
Number 8 of the Rouge et Or had the feeling of accomplishment. With the cigar in his mouth and a huge smile on his face, he was just happy to say he was Canadian champion. His performance earned him the title of MVP of the game.
“All the goals we wanted to accomplish at the start of the season, we managed to achieve them. There is no one who can take away our accomplishments. There, I will really enjoy everything at the same time. The Hec Crighton trophy, the Vanier Cup most valuable player, the Dunsmore Cup and obviously the Vanier Cup. We really passed the guitar. »
The star player limped a good part of the game, but that didn’t stop him from keeping his promise to bring the big trophy back to Quebec.
“I’m tired of the last game against London. It was time for it to end. I had two sprains, I had something behind my knee, my shoulder landed in the game, but it was worth it. I now have eight months to recover. Everybody says I have a big mouth, but we have it backed all season and I’m glad the guys had my back as well. »
The 23-year-old’s biggest play came early in the fourth quarter when he improvised quarterbacking for a moment, with a fake ground game in formation Wildcat to complete a one-yard pass to teammate David Dallaire. A major who gave his team a 27-17 lead.
“It was a hidden card that we had had for months. We thought, Justin is never going to call her. We practice it once a week and we were ready to perform it. I’m a one-in-one as a quarterback with a 100% completion rate. »
The defense rises
After a difficult first half, Marc Fortier’s defensive unit played much more inspired football in the second half. Linebacker Charles Alexandre Jacques led the charge with a 10-tackle performance to earn Defensive Player of the Game honours.
“We gave Saskatchewan a lot of plays in the first half with several assignment errors. At halftime, we thought it was over and we were going to stick together. That’s what we did and for the Bruce Coulter trophy, it’s flattering. It remains that it is the Vanier Cup that we wanted to come and get. »
The key play of the match came with a score of 27-17 and the Saskatchewan Huskies who threatened at the door of the Quebec team’s goals. Quarterback Mason Nyhus’ pass was intercepted in the end zone by defensive back Félix Petit. A game that restored possession of the ball to Laval while keeping the scoreboard unchanged for the only turnaround of the game.
“It’s funny because all season Marc Fortier told me that I was incapable of catching balls. Each practice that I escaped from it, it came back to me with it. Today the ball fell into my hands and I caught it. I couldn’t be happier to make the interception. We needed a turnaround at that time and I ran almost all over the pitch after my game because I was so happy. »
A kicker that gets the job done
Vincent Blanchard had a successful stay in London, scoring nine field goals in ten attempts. He tied a Vanier Cup record with five field goals, which he shares with four other kickers. No placement was more important than the one made at the very end of the first half. The precision kicker managed a long field goal of 49 yards that tied the score 17-17 to return to the locker room. A kick that seemed to give the Laval team wings for the rest of the game.
“I was confident and knew I had the leg up to do it. My max distance was 55 yards with the wind at my back. I was in my bubble in London. The execution was perfect and I’m happy to have the Vanier Cup in my second season. »
Duty done
Arnaud Desjardins had an excellent game, especially in the second half, where he seemed to have all the answers to opposing defensive strategies. The slender second-year center was very happy to get his hands on his first football championship of his career.
“It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe and we had an incredible club with great team cohesion. It is the realization of all our efforts of the year. I had many disappointments in my career with big teams with Old Montreal in college and it’s really special to win. »
Receiver Antoine Dansereau-Leclerc also had an excellent game with eight catches for 119 yards. His catch late in the fourth quarter on a post route helped seal the game.
“It’s a game we missed against Western and we made it this week. We reversed the edge of the field quickly with this long game. It gave a big placement afterwards. It’s possibly my last career game, and if it’s the end, it’s the best football game I’ve played. »
Euphoric locker room and message to an elder
Like every time a sports team championship is won, joy and emotion quickly take over. Defensive back Maxym Lavallée is the perfect example. Usually reserved, the defensive captain had a lot to say.
“At the end of the day, we are the champions. When you win a Vanier Cup as captain, it’s really special. I have never been so proud of the leadership of this team. »
Number 22 also had a very clear message for former Rouge et Or player Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, who openly criticized the Rouge et Or a few times during the season on his social media.
“Where is he, Arnaud Gascon-Nadon after all the comments he said about us? Where is he? You tell him to come see me. »
In short
- Take me by Charles Aznavour was the Rouge et Or’s first celebratory song upon arriving in the locker room.
- Several former Rouge et Or players were on hand to witness the triumph of their alma mater, including Yannick Morin-Plante, Adam Auclair, Antony Auclair and Martin Bédard. Francesco Pepe Esposito and Jacques Cloutier were also there to see their children lift the precious trophy, they lifted the first Vanier Cup in program history in 1999.
- Vincent Blanchard’s 49-yard field goal was the second longest in Vanier Cup history.
- Kalenga Muganda scored his first career touchdown for the Rouge et Or in the first quarter.
what they said
The best victories are often the most difficult and we have faced crisscross good teams.
Maxym Lavallée, defensive back
I think I equaled my coach Christopher Milo’s record. To have known, I would have forced myself to make one more investment to be able to tease him a little.
Vincent Blanchard, kicker
It’s been the most intense three weeks of football in my life and I’m still in shock.
Nicolas Guay, final year offensive lineman
A tenth Vanier Cup as head coach simply represents the excellence of our program.
Glen Constantin, Head Coach
I’m happy for the veterans who are leaving with the big trophy, I’m happy with the experience we’re going to get from the stay in London and I’m happy for the group.
Kevin Mital, receiver
We have worked so hard since the Dunsmore Cup last year and we have created an incomparable team chemistry.
Charles-Alexandre Jacques, linebacker
Winning the Vanier Cup makes you want to win many more!
Arnaud Desjardins, quarterback
We’re going to celebrate it big, trust me!
Charles-Lee Alarie-Tardif, defensive line