The Laval Rouge et Or (1-0) defeated the McGill Redbirds (1-1) by a score of 37-15 Saturday night at Stade TELUS-UL. Laval’s veteran quarterback, Arnaud Desjardins, threw a gem – completing 25 of his 28 pass attempts in the game.
On the other hand, McGill’s offensive game was a battle all night. Fourth-year quarterback Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald struggled out of the gate, owning a 36 per cent completion rate on 33 pass attempts.
The Redbirds dug themselves into a hole early. In just three minutes, the Rouge et Or moved 92 yards up the field on six first downs to open the scoring. They added to the lead by scoring another touchdown and a field goal to close out the first quarter, putting them up 17-0 after 15 minutes.
McGill was shorthanded even before the game began. Starting running back Brandon Ciccarello, as well as four-time all-star wide receiver Darius Simmons, were sidelined due to injuries, forcing a new-look offence into a game against the defending national champions.
The Redbirds responded to a tough first quarter by scoring a field goal early in the second, but it was not long before the Rouge et Or clawed back. Laval added a touchdown and a field goal to give them a lopsided 27-3 lead at halftime.
The offence was not the only factor that gave Laval the large lead. The Rouge et Or were able to break through the McGill offensive line, sacking Latendresse five times in the first half and eight times in the game.
The rushing game ultimately favoured the Redbirds in the affair, which saw Laval’s 77 rushing yards get more than doubled by McGill, which totalled 168 from many chunk plays, including a 45-yard run from Latendresse-Regimbald.
Despite the strong ground game, the Redbirds were unable to recover from the large first-half deficit.
The teams swapped touchdowns in the third quarter and went back and forth with field goals heading into the fourth. McGill’s kicker Mario Delli Fraine completed two of his three field goal attempts, making those from 26 and 42 yards.
Meanwhile, Rouge et Or kicker Felipe Forteza completed all three of his field goal attempts and added four extra points.
Outside of a safety, the scoresheet was quiet in the fourth quarter, as Laval clinched its 37-15 victory.
McGill will look to rebound from the loss against its crosstown rival Concordia Stingers on the road next Friday, Sept. 5; while the Rouge et Or will look for win number two against the last-place Sherbrooke Vert et Or at home on Sunday, Sept. 7.
Game Notes
14,077 were in attendence for the Rouge et Or home opener, the largest crowd thus far of the U SPORTS season.
Following the game against the Sherbrooke Vert et Or, the Rouge et Or will travel to Montreal on Sept. 19 for a meeting with the Montreal Carabins (2-0), played at Percival Molson Stadium (the home of McGill and the Montreal Alouettes).