Several Quebecers were rewarded for their performances on Thursday at the annual Vanier Cup awards gala.
Laval University Rouge et Or wide receiver Kevin Mital received the Hec Chrington Trophy, awarded to U Sports’ Most Outstanding Football Player.
The St. Hubert native led the nation in receptions and yards, catching 58 passes for 751 yards in eight games. He also caught 12 touchdown passes. In two seasons, his 19 touchdown receptions put him in the top 50 in U Sports history.
“I want to thank the other candidates,” Mital told local media. I am honored to receive this trophy for the entire population of Quebec and for all Rouge et Or fans. I want to thank all the coaches who had something to do with my development and my parents who could not be here this evening. . Finally, we’re going to spend the guitar on Saturday! »
In reference of course to the Vanier Cup match between the Rouge et Or and the Saskatchewan Huskies, Saturday in London.
“He’s a generational player,” Rouge et Or head coach Glen Constantin said in a statement. I hope the world will enjoy seeing him play because I don’t think he’s going to play here for long. He dominated everywhere he went. »
“I knew he was going to dominate with us, but it’s the ease with which he does it,” he continues. Sometimes it’s almost disconcerting, it looks so easy! »
The performances of two other Quebecers were also highlighted. Université de Montréal Carabins linebacker Nicky Farinaccio has been crowned Defensive Player of the Year. The sophomore had a national-high 10.5 quarterback sacks and 33.5 tackles. This is the first time a Carabins player has won this award.
PHOTO JAMES HAJJAR, PROVIDED BY THE CARABINS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTREAL
Nicky Farinaccio, Carabins of the University of Montreal
“Nicky really has an infectious energy,” says her head coach, Marco Iadeluca. He constantly has a smile on his face, he loves playing football and it shows! […] Everyone wants to play with him. »
For his part, McGill Redbirds quarterback Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald is the recipient of the Peter Gorman Trophy, awarded to the league’s rookie of the year. The 20-year-old led all rookie quarterbacks with 2,004 passing yards, ranking him fifth in the nation. He also passed for 9.0 yards per carry.
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald, of the McGil Redbirds
According to the head coach of the Redbirds. Ronald Hilaire, Latendresse-Regimbald is a “very special” player and has shown “coolness beyond his age” this season. “A born leader, he adapted very quickly to the university level and improved every week,” he adds. He has a good arm, is a fearless runner and has a very bright future. »
Mital, Arnaud Desjardins (Laval), Jeremy Murphy (Concordia), Nathan Dumoulin-Duguay (Laval) and Nicolas Guay (Laval) are all on the U Sports First Offensive All-Star Team. Farinaccio, Jean-William Rouleau (Laval), Christophe Beaulieu (Laval) and Benjamin Labrosse (McGill) are on the defensive.