Revenge is Sweet

TORONTO – In front of a record-setting crowd of 37,098, the Laval Rouge et Or defeated the McMaster Marauders 37-14 to win the 48^th Vanier Cup.

Maxime Boutin was named the 48^th Vanier Cup’s Most Outstanding Player with 24 carries for 253 yards rushing, and two touchdowns. Boutin’s 253 rushing yards is the second most in Vanier Cup history.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Rouge et Or opened the scoring with a five-play, 69-yard drive capped off by Matthew Norzil’s 28-yard touchdown reception. Norzil concluded the game with four receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown.

Laval continued to build upon their lead as McMaster was forced to concede a safety following an incredible 53-yard punt by Boris Bede that had the Marauders pinned at their own one-yard line.

Bede would extend Laval’s lead to 12-0 with a 22-yard field goal just prior to the three-minute warning in the second quarter.

The Rouge et Or managed to contain the Marauders’ potent offence for a majority of the first half. However, fourteen unanswered points with under two minutes remaining in the second quarter would give McMaster a 14-12 lead heading into halftime. Quinlan concluded the first half with back-to-back touchdown drives including a sensational 59-yard touchdown pass to Dahlin Brooks. Quinlan also added a one-yard touchdown run.

On the opening possession of the second half, Tristan Grenon would orchestrate an impressive seven-play, 87-yard touchdown drive capped off by Maxime Boutin’s 11-yard touchdown run. The key play on the drive came courtesy of Adam Thibault who scampered sixteen yards on a fake punt to sustain the drive.

The Rouge et Or would extend their lead midway through the third quarter as McMaster elected to concede their second safety of the game following a sack on quarterback, Kyle Quinlan deep in their own territory.

Laval would establish a double-digit lead (28-14) with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter courtesy of an incredible 84-yard touchdown run from running back, Maxime Boutin. The 84-yard touchdown is the third longest run in Vanier Cup history.

Boris Bede would connect on a 37-yard field goal late in the third quarter to extend Laval’s lead to 31-14.

The Rouge et Or outscored the Marauders 19-0 in the third quarter. Laval’s nineteen unanswered points came mainly as a result of Boutin’s 142 yards rushing in the quarter.

Bede would add two field goals in the fourth quarter to end any McMaster comeback hopes and secure Laval’s second Vanier Cup title in the past three seasons.

Laval’s seven sacks on Friday night are a Vanier Cup record surpassing McMaster’s total of five sacks in 2011.

Glen Constantin collects his seventh Vanier Cup title as the Head Coach of the Rouge et Or. Laval also became the third team in CIS history to participate in the Vanier Cup in three consecutive seasons.

2012 HEC Crighton Award Winner, Kyle Quinlan concluded his CIS career on Friday night. He finished 25-of-40 with 335 yards passing, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Quinlan also added 55 yards rushing and one touchdown on the ground in the football game.

Laval Defensive Lineman, Arnaud Gascon-Nadon was named the Vanier Cup’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He concluded the game with four tackles and one sack.

CIS Defensive Player of the Year, Frederic Plesius recorded four tackles and two sacks in the victory for Laval.

The Rouge et Or have set a CIS record with seven Vanier Cup titles.

– Daniele Franceschi –