LONDON | Twice the Huskies and the Rouge et Or have met in the Vanier Cup and the result has been great defensive games. This time, it could be quite the opposite, warn head coach Scott Flory and his quarterback Mason Nyhus.
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In 2004, the Rouge et Or only needed seven points to beat the Huskies 7-1 in the Vanier Cup. Two years later, the Quebecers did it again with a 13-8 win.
“I hope it won’t,” Mason Nyhus said, sparking laughter in the small room of a downtown London hotel, where the official Vanier Cup press conference was taking place.
Nyhus has led the Huskies’ offense this year. The team finished second in Canada in total yards, just ahead of the Rouge et Or.
Flory, like Nyhus, has big ambitions for Saturday.
“Every time we are on the field, we expect to win. We have a vision for our group,” says Flory, a former Alouettes player for 15 seasons.
Dream atmosphere
So it’s no surprise that Flory, who won the Vanier Cup with the Huskies in 1996 and 1998, expects the offense to generate points on the scoreboard. At least, much more than a harvest of seven points like in 2004.
“From the first day of training camp in August, it felt like mid-season,” he said, praising the merits of his group in passing.
“It’s a dream atmosphere [cette saison]. We have had ups and downs this season. We have been through it all. We trailed, we led, we played in the rain, with a lot of wind, the trips. »
“A business trip”
But Flory does not swell the head. The man who has led the Huskies since 2017 knows very well that he is up against a well-oiled machine with the Rouge et Or. He did not hide his admiration for Constantin and his work.
” Do not mistake yourself. There is a phenomenal football team by my side. There is an exceptional man right here. They will be well prepared. It will be physical, it will be quite a game, ”he praised.
“We are happy to be here, but there is work to be done. We are on a business trip. »
The final word goes to defensive back Charlie Ringland, asked if he hoped for a score as low as in 2004 and 2006. “I just hope that our offense will score more points,” he said. , a smirk.
A COHESIVE TEAM
LONDON | It has now been a week since the Rouge et Or arrived in London and this stay had a beneficial effect that is likely to be felt for years to come.
“It’s a dream atmosphere”, even launches Kevin Mital about this ten-day trip which allowed the team to bond.
“We are together 24 hours a day, we eat together, we make videos together, it will really help the team. I think it’s good for every guy’s confidence,” added fifth-year veteran Nicolas Guay.
A SOLD OUT VANIER CUP
LONDON | After a disappointing crowd at the Mitchell Cup, Vanier Cup organizers expect the Alumni Stadium to be packed on Saturday.
“There are over 9,000 tickets sold, we will be sold out for the Cup,” confirmed Western University Director of Sports and Recreation Christine Stapleton.
Several hundred Rouge et Or fans will travel to London to cheer on their favourites. They will be seated mainly in the stands behind the bench of the Rouge et Or, said Ms. Stapleton.
RATINGS EXPLODE
LONDON | Ratings for the Uteck Cup and Mitchell Cup, shown last week on TVA Sports, CBC and online, are up 43% from last year, U Sports reported.
Just over 300,000 spectators watched the Rouge et Or and the Huskies win their ticket to the Vanier Cup. On the web alone, U Sports saw a 178% increase in viewership for the Rouge et Or game against the Western Mustangs.
“We expected growth, but not as high,” said U Sports marketing and communications director John Bower. There is still another year left on the TVA Sports television contract.