(Kingston, Ontario) Saturday afternoon, the Laval University Rouge et Or will have the chance to get their hands on (another) Vanier Cup, the trophy awarded to the Canadian university champion. A three-point look at this grand final against the Laurier Golden Hawks.
Clash at the top
This Vanier Cup is far from being a story of underdogs. These college programs were expected to make the finals, given their total domination this year.
The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, a university located in Waterloo, Ontario, have not lost a game this season. The Rouge et Or only lost once. It was in overtime, against the Carabins of the University of Montreal. Let’s say there are setbacks with a more bitter taste.
Laurier therefore has a slight advantage if we observe the season closely. But the observation is quite different, taking a few steps back, if we look at the history of the two universities.
The Rouge et Or holds eleven Vanier Cup victories, the highest total in history. The university has only lost twice in the grand final.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Golden Hawks will be playing their first Vanier Cup in 19 years. They have two titles, the most recent obtained in 2005.
Laurier University has only 20,000 students, half of Laval University. It is the smallest university program in Ontario to have a football program.
Duel of giants
If the size of the campuses is easy to decide, that of the quarterbacks present, Arnaud Desjardins and Taylor Elgersma, is almost identical.
PHOTO HEYWOOD YU, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Arnaud Desjardins
Both are phenomena of nature. The first is 6’5″, the second 6’6″. As with the measuring tape, Elgersma arrives in the final with a slight advantage: he was crowned Canada’s MVP on Thursday, during the Vanier Cup Gala.
This year, Elgersma has simply dominated, averaging 330 passing yards per game during the season, in addition to throwing 20 touchdown passes. His coach Michael Faulds even tells anyone who will listen that Elgersma has a chance of making his place in the NFL.
Desjardins, however, has an obvious advantage: experience. Desjardins has already lifted the Vanier Cup trophy, a little less than two years ago. He also experienced more adversity, almost losing his starting position, before winning during the last campaign. If Elgersma is a more powerful passer, Desjardins was slightly more effective in the regular season, and has better mobility.
Even after the Vanier Cup, the two guys will still be competing, since they should be eligible for the CFL draft.
On the attack!
Considering this battle of the roosters, we should expect to see the quarterbacks shine more than the defensive backs. No one has been able to stop the Golden Hawks’ offense this year.
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Taylor Elgersma
Laurier’s worst offensive performance came in the Ontario semi-final against Queen’s University. And even there, the Elgersma gang still got away with 29 points. Besides this slight misbehavior, the Golden Hawks have scored 40 or more points five times this year. In the Ontario final, they scored 51 points, before scoring 48 in the Canadian semi-final.
This domination is explained in particular by an undeniable chemistry. Twelve of the starters from the 2023 Golden Hawks offense are still present this year. The offensive unit has developed a clear penchant for long plays. And let’s say that in this regard, it is equipped to stay up late, with receiver Ethan Jordan, author of 10 touchdowns in the regular season, 59 receptions and 1000 yards of gain.
Laval also has dominant receivers, like Olivier Cool, named to the first Canadian university all-star team. Cool stood out during the season with 10 touchdowns. He is known for his composure in critical moments.
However, it is a safe bet that the Rouge et Or will wish to maintain a defensive duel. In the last match, the team won at the last minute by a score of 17-14 against the Regina Cougars. Isaac Gaillardetz caught a five-yard touchdown pass with 1:19 remaining in the game.
This time, the Rouge et Or will want to give themselves a more comfortable lead, but above all, limit the presence of Taylor Elgersma on the field. The Rouge et Or have been the best defense in the country this season, allowing only 106 points in eight games.
