Laval wins Vanier Cup with victory over Laurier

KINGSTON, Ont. — Felipe Forteza went from delivering hits to creating kicks for the Laval Rouge et Or this season.

The linebacker-turned-kicker confirmed a veteran’s poise together with his boot on Saturday, kicking a Vanier Cup report six area objectives to elevate Laval to a 22-17 win over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks at Richardson Stadium.

“The defence did its job and the offence put me in the precise place to do it,” stated Forteza, who was named sport MVP. “So I am stoked.”

Quarterback Arnaud Desjardins was 34 of 42 for 320 passing yards to assist the Rouge et Or win their second Vanier Cup in three years and report twelfth general.

It was the primary lack of the 12 months for the Golden Hawks, who final gained a Canadian college soccer title in 2005.

Laval set the early tone with some large defensive performs and Desjardins was in positive early type, finishing his first 22 cross makes an attempt. Forteza break up the uprights 5 occasions within the first half as Laval took a 17-7 lead into the intermission.

Forteza broke the report together with his sixth area objective with 2:31 remaining. His solely miss was a 32-yard try within the remaining minute.

The Golden Hawks ran the ball out of the tip zone however did not threaten once more.

“We did not rating touchdowns however we moved the ball very effectively,” stated Laval coach Glen Constantin. “We flipped the sector on these guys.”

Forteza did some part-time kicking in highschool however this was his first season kicking area objectives regularly. The Rouge et Or teaching employees appreciated his highly effective leg and helped him with the transition.

“It was a bit heartbreaking for me as a result of I like hitting individuals,” Forteza stated. “I like being intense and that job is absolutely about being calm and making an attempt to remain wholesome.”

“I just like the place,” he added. “I just like the strain of it and I just like the preparation. I just like the onerous work and with the ability to kick that (effectively) throughout a sport.”

Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma, who gained the Hec Crighton Trophy as most excellent participant this season, had a quiet opening quarter earlier than settling in and throwing landing passes to Ryan Hughes and Jaxon Stebbings.

Elgersma was 23 of 34 for 246 yards however was sacked 5 occasions.

“Our sport plan was simply to be us and execute,” he stated. “Clearly we did not do this effectively sufficient right now.”

Laurier had an 8-0 report within the common season and outscored its opposition 128-76 over its first three playoff wins. Laval entered at 10-1 general (7-1, 3-0) and was coming off two shut victories during the last two weeks.

A near-capacity crowd on the 8,000-seat Queen’s College venue had a good break up of Laurier and Laval supporters.

The climate co-operated after two days of showers within the space. It was cloudy and eight C at kickoff.

Desjardins marched the Rouge et Or deep into Laurier territory on Laval’s first possession earlier than settling for an 18-yard area objective by Forteza.

Laval used a no-huddle offence within the early going with Desjardins regularly utilizing dump passes to nice impact. A 15-yarder from Forteza with 2:54 left within the first quarter made it 6-0.

The potent Rouge et Or defence, which led U Sports activities with simply 106 factors allowed within the common season, confirmed its type as Jordan Lessard compelled a fumble from Elgersma that the Golden Hawks recovered.

On the subsequent play, Ndeki Garant-Doumambila walloped the Laurier pivot with a ferocious sack.

“We all know what it takes to get right here and what it takes to win these video games,” he stated.

Laurier did not report a primary down till late within the first quarter.

Laval’s special-teams play was additionally on level. Forteza booted a 65-yard punt and the Rouge et Or protection swarmed returner Tayshaun Jackson, forcing him down on the Laurier one-yard line.

The Golden Hawks would concede a security to make it 8-0. Forteza added to the lead at 7:01 with a 35-yard area objective.

Jackson gave Laurier some life when he broke for a 51-yard run to the Laval five-yard line. Hughes took a shovel cross from Elgersma and sprinted for the nook of the tip zone to place Laurier on the scoreboard with 4:57 left within the half.

Forteza made a 32-yard area objective with 2:33 remaining. After a Jackson fumble, he added a 42-yard kick 24 seconds later to make it 17-7.

The Golden Hawks got here out with extra bounce within the third quarter.

Elgersma discovered Ethan Jordan for a 45-yard reception to spotlight a 93-yard drive capped by Stebbings’ three-yard TD catch and a Dawson Hodge conversion.

Laval took a 19-14 lead when Laurier conceded a security to open the fourth quarter. Hodge made it a two-point sport when he hit a 34-yard area objective with 8:26 left.

A pivotal play got here with 4:57 remaining when Laval’s Loic Brodeur compelled a fumble at midfield. He knocked the ball out of Elgersma’s fingers and Garant-Doumambila recovered.

“We centered, we believed in it, and expertise,” Garant-Doumambila stated. “That is what did it for us.”

The Golden Hawks fell to 2-4 in nationwide championship sport appearances whereas Laval improved to 12-2.

The 2025 Vanier Cup can be performed in Regina.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Nov. 23, 2024.

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