The duel was intense, like a rivalry. The confrontation was defensive, as a stake. And the victory was Montreal’s, as was the season.
The Carabins won the Dunsmore Cup 12-6 over Laval University’s Rouge et Or on Saturday afternoon, in front of an energetic and fiery CEPSUM, despite the November cold.
The University of Montreal therefore advances to the Canadian semi-finals, based on this third win in three games this season against Laval. This meeting will take place next week in Montreal.
Both teams suffered turnovers at the beginning of the game. But it was the Rouge et Or who committed the most expensive crime. Midway through the first quarter, Montreal guard Kaylyn St-Cyr intercepted a long pass from Arnaud Desjardins and returned it to the end zone, creating euphoria in the crowd. It was the only touchdown of the game.
We said: this meeting was a matter of defense, on both sides. Montreal’s ramparts also had an advantage in this regard, especially by congesting the Rouge et Or zone and forcing mistakes. In the first 30 minutes alone, Laval committed 8 fouls, for a loss of 69 yards.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, PRESS
Things tightened up in that regard in the second half for the visitors, but overall the game was tough for Rouge et Or defender Arnaud Desjardins as well. The latter suffered three interceptions. That was already a record for Montreal in the Dunsmore Cup, before the Carabins added a fourth, at the expense of ball carrier François Giguère-Lacasse.
Laval’s offensive unit rallied at the very end of the game, allowing Laval to drive down the field, score its second field goal and restore some minimal hope for the final seconds. But it was too little too late.
For his part, Montreal guard Jonathan Sénécal didn’t have to stand out completely, the one who profited from the brilliance of his defensive unit. Starting with that of Kaylyn St-Cyr, the author of two of her team’s four interceptions.
For their part, with an interception returned for a touchdown, Glen Constantin’s players still managed to contain the explosive offensive of their rivals. Very poor consolation in such a defeat, we agree.
