(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,” reacted the man thanks to whom the “olé olé olé” of the supporters of the Rouge et Or were able to prevail, in a predominantly purple and yellow crowd.
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 that of 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 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 isn’t always placed in the same place, I would think you would all shit your pants.” he said, 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 complete a touchdown pass, quarterback Arnaud Desjardins still put his signature on the game, with 34 completed passes for 320 yards of gains.
He also had an exceptional start to the match, completing his first 22 pass attempts.
It was a second Vanier Cup victory for Desjardins. Since his victory two years ago, he has experienced difficult times, notably in 2023, where his status as starting quarterback was questioned. “It’s certain that with the adversity of the last year, it’s a nice pat on the back to win,” he said. I couldn’t ask for anything better right now. »
PHOTO FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Rouge et Or quarterback Arnaud Desjardins
His rival, Taylor Elgersma, was able to complete two touchdown passes, occurring during the only two sequences during which the Golden Hawks offense was truly threatening.
Knowing that Laurier had never scored fewer than 29 points before this final, this is a real defensive feat.
“There’s nothing stopping us: we’re f***** Laval!” “, shouted defensive back Ndéki Garant-Doumambila in the press scrum.
“It’s perhaps the best team victory we’ve had,” analyzed Glen Constantin a little more soberly. 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 [notre 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 two first drives. “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. “We could have played another match after that one. We still had plenty of gas left. »
Limiting Elgersma was of particular importance to 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,” said Felipe Forteza. 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,” he assured.
“Arnaud has had a remarkable year. If there was a trophy for comeback of the year, he would have won it, notes Glen Constantin. But we wanted the big trophy that no one votes for.”
And with the last word, they got it.
