(Kingston, Ontario) Who says you have to score touchdowns to win a football game? The Rouge et Or pushed the limits of this principle to the extreme. By scoring six field goals, Laval University managed to defeat the Laurier Golden Hawks 22-17 to win the 59e Vanier Cup.
Rare phenomenon: the player of the match trophy went to kicker Felipe Forteza. His six placements constitute a Canadian university grand final record.
“It doesn’t make sense that it was me who made these points. I’m in heaven at the moment,” marveled the man thanks to whom the “olé olé olé” of the Rouge et Or supporters were able to prevail, among the 9,500 spectators mostly dressed in purple and yellow.
PHOTO FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Rouge et Or kicker Felipe Forteza
Forteza proves to be an unexpected hero due to his status as a kicker, but also due to his status as a neglected player. During the regular season, he ranked among the least prolific kickers in the Quebec Student Sports Network (RSEQ) on all statistical levels. He had, as his coach Glen Constantin politely described it, a season punctuated by “ups and downs”. The help of a mental trainer allowed him to take his game up a notch.
“As a kicker, you have good days and bad days. If I asked you all to do the same movement, 100% the same way every time, when the ball is not always placed in the same place, I think you would all shit your pants.” , he said with conviction, on the crowded field of Richardson Stadium.
If Felipe Forteza was able to stand out, it is also thanks to the brilliance of the attack. Certainly, no touchdown was scored, mainly due to a lack of opportunism in the paying zone, and certain conservative decisions on third down.
However, Forteza had few long placements to make, as his attack had placed him in a good position. Even if he would have liked to score a touchdown pass, quarterback Arnaud Desjardins still put his signature on the game, with 34 successful passes for 320 yards of gains.
« Les big dogs »
The man who won a second Vanier Cup got off to an exceptional start, completing his first 22 pass attempts. Since his victory two years ago, he has experienced difficult times, especially in 2023. His status as starting quarterback was questioned.
PHOTO FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Rouge et Or quarterback Arnaud Desjardins
Of course, with the adversity of the last year, it’s a nice pat on the back to win. I couldn’t ask for anything better right now.
Rouge et Or quarterback Arnaud Desjardins
His rival, the feared Taylor Elgersma, was able to score two touchdown passes, successful in the only two sequences during which the Golden Hawks attack was truly threatening. Knowing that Laurier had never scored fewer than 29 points before this final, this is a real defensive feat.
“We’re f***** Laval!” We’re the big dogs ! Nothing stops us! “, shouted defensive back Ndéki Garant-Doumambila in the press scrum, author of a sack, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
“It’s perhaps the best team victory we’ve had,” analyzed Glen Constantin a little more soberly, after being showered with Gatorade. The statement is not insignificant, knowing that the coach won 11 Vanier Cups with Laval University.
PHOTO FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Rouge et Or head coach, Glen Constantin
“It was perhaps the biggest challenge of Marc Fortier’s career [coordonnateur défensif]because they had a whole quarterback, a running back, and incredible receivers,” he added.
The defensive line was particularly impressive early in the game, reaching quarterback Taylor Elgersma on the first two sequences. She finished the game with five sacks.
“I’m convinced it set the tone for the match. It turned off their bench and turned on ours,” calmly dissected defensive back Francis Bouchard. Tears of joy were streaming down her cheeks. “We could have played another match after that one. We still had plenty of gas left. »
sweet revenge
Limiting Elgersma was of particular importance for the Rouge et Or. Earlier this week, the quarterback won the Hec-Crighton Trophy, awarded to the country’s MVP. Golden Hawks coach Michael Faulds won the Frank Tindall Trophy, awarded to the coach par excellence.
The Rouge et Or came out of this gala empty-handed. And as Michael Jordan would say, they “took it personally.”
On the evening of the gala, there was lightning in the ceiling, a good tension that could be felt. We gave them back their change. In my heart, I know we had to win these awards. We have the quarterback and the coach of the year.
Kicker Felipe Forteza
“Arnaud has had a remarkable year. If there was a trophy for the comeback of the year, he would have won it, noted Glen Constantin. But we wanted the big trophy that no one votes for. »
And, with the last word, they got it.
