On a superb fall afternoon, the Carabins of the University of Montreal won by a score of 32-31, in overtime, against the Rouge et Or of Laval University.
On the last play of regulation time, Wedens Alexandre (Urbanisme) caught a missed field goal in the end zone. The returner put his knee on the ground to cause a point and tie the game. Overtime offered the Carabins a chance to win by more than one point in order to have an excellent chance of having home field advantage in the playoffs.
It was unfortunately in vain.
I can’t be happy because of the end of the match, head coach Marco Iadeluca said after the match. I’m very happy with the way our team played, it’s the only thing I can control.
In a scoreless first quarter, Ayman Cissé (English Studies) managed his first career sack. In the second quarter, Jonathan Sénécal (DESS project management, HEC Montréal) broke the tie. The fourth-year quarterback ran for two yards to make it 7-0.
Trailing at the start of the second half, the entire team stood up. Christopher Montas Fontenard (Criminology) and Harold Miessan (Urban Planning) took turns sacking the opposing attack in the third quarter. With his 16 sacks Fontenard is now tied for sixth in team history with Gregory Alexandre.
For its part, the Blues attack roared with a touchdown thanks to Justin Langlais (Medicine). The receiver caught a 16-yard pass and Carl Chabot (Masters, HEC Montreal) caught the pass for the two-point conversion. It was 18-16 at that point. Enrique Jaimes Leclair (Preparatory year, HEC Montreal) followed with a catch worthy of the games of the year.
Casually, Sénécal finished his evening of work with 31 passes completed in 39 attempts for gains of 375 yards and 4 touchdowns in total.
Clearly, it’s a victory that hurts, said Sénécal. We will come back stronger, whether here or in Quebec, I am not worried.
It must be said that the offensive line did a great job today. She did not allow a sack and limited the pressure throughout the game.
It’s a victory for the offensive line, said center Alexis Lévesque-Gallant. We have complete confidence in Jonathan and we know that it is mutual. Our coaches François Bessette and Mathieu Pronovost are great people. They tell us the things we need to hear and not the things we want to hear. By pushing everyone in the same direction it also produces good things.
For their part, the special teams stopped a trick play on a punt. We were once again able to count on Philippe Boyer (Urban Planning). The fourth-year player made all of his field goals and his 18-yard precision kick. He also accumulated 249 yards on six punts, including three inside the twenty line.
Since his arrival with the Carabins in 2019, Marco Iadeluca is still undefeated at CEPSUM against rivals Rouge et Or in five matches. In his career, this is an eighth victory for the Blues driver against the Quebec team.
The Carabins’ next game will take place at Concordia on Saturday, October 19 at 1 p.m.
