It is really an imposing formation which stands in front of the Carabins of the University of Montreal on Saturday, in the national semifinals of university football for the Uteck Cup. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Canada West conference champions, are big, very big, and they play physical football.
“I saw that their offensive line was bigger than that of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL,” Carabins head coach Marco Iadeluca said Friday in a press briefing. It’s part of their identity and they use that power to establish their ground game.
“So it will be very important to control the line of scrimmage well and the team that will do it will have a big advantage. We won’t necessarily have to play “force against force”, but rather use our speed, a bit like we did against the Rouge et Or two weeks ago. ”
In his first season at the head of the Carabins football program, Iadeluca however had a long experience at this level and he has already taken part in two Vanier Cup victories, in 2010 with Laval University and in 2014 with the Carabins. . Throughout the season, along with his assistants, he has ignored injuries to help his players progress and to lead his team to a game of the Grand Final.
For his part, Scott Flory, the head coach of the Huskies, is himself a former offensive lineman and he is well known in Montreal having been a centerpiece of the Alouettes for fifteen seasons. However, he refuses to give in to nostalgia.
“Don’t tell me about the return to Montreal or my memories, I’m here to lead my team in a football game, and that’s all that matters,” said Flory on Friday. We have worked hard for two years to be here. The rest doesn’t matter right now. ”
Flory relaxed, however, by talking about an old friend.
I played with Anthony for a long time [Calvillo, le coordonnateur de l’attaque des Carabins] and we’ve texted each other a few times this week. I recognize a lot of his style in the Carabins’ game and I know it will be hard to stop them.
Scott Flory, Head Coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies
Like his opposite, the coach praised the character of his players. “The past two years have not been easy, with the cancellation of the 2020 season and the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. But our players have never given up. This week we are in our bubble and everyone is focused on the job at hand. ”
Stop the ground game
National champions in 2014, the Carabins are aiming for a fourth appearance at the Vanier Cup and have never lost in three semi-finals. Last Saturday, they won a fourth provincial title by taking the measure of the Laval Rouge et Or, 28-19, in the Dunsmore Cup final.
Already three-time Vanier Cup champions, the Huskies have not reached the national final since 2006 and have only played a semi-final since, in 2018, when they lost to the Rouge et Or de l ‘Laval University.
Last week in Saskatoon, the Huskies had to close a 16-point deficit in the first quarter before easily defeating the Manitoba Bisons, 45-17, in the Hardy Cup final. Running back Adam Machart was the offensive star of the game with 214 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
“He is an excellent player and he is very dangerous once he crosses the line of scrimmage,” insisted Marco Iadeluca.
It will therefore be necessary to limit the number of times it will be found in open ground. Our defense likes to play aggressively, using our speed and athleticism to vary our defensive patterns and try to surprise them with certain things.
Marco Iadeluca, head coach of the Carabins of the University of Montreal
Carabins players are also confident in themselves. “They have a big offensive line, but we are used to facing the Rouge et Or, who are also known for their offensive line,” recalled defensive end Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal, one of the title finalists. lineman of the year in Canada.
“Our coaches reminded us this week that we had to stay focused on our game, just do our twelfth job,” said linebacker Michael Brodrique. They have a good offensive line, but the running backs also do everything they can, exploiting every opportunity. It will therefore be necessary to limit the openings and to control the line of scrimmage well. ”
Due to climatic conditions, Machart will undoubtedly still have a leading role. The running back expects tough opposition: “It’s our biggest test of the season so far. They have great defense, have played well all year and are used to big games. The weather conditions won’t be perfect, but for us, playing here is like summer! We’re used to it and it won’t be a problem. ”
Favorite Western Mustangs
In the other national semi-final, for the Mitchell Cup, the Western Mustangs will be the favorites when they host the St FX X-Men. Last Saturday, in the Ontario University Sport final (Yates Cup), the Mustangs dominated the Queen’s Gaels, so far undefeated this season, 29-0. For their part, the X-Men were crowned champions of the Atlantic Conference with a 25-17 victory over the Bishop’s Gaiters in the Loney Cup final.
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet next Saturday (December 4) in Quebec City (Stade Telus de l’Université Laval) for the 56e Vanier Cup final.
THIS SATURDAY:
St FX v. Western, London, Ontario, at 12 p.m.
Saskatchewan v. Montreal, CEPSUM, at 3 p.m.