The Laval Rouge et Or have opened the 2023 season as the consensus top team in all of U Sports football.
Laval beat the Sherbrooke Vert et Or on the road this past weekend by a score of 37-14 in their first game of the year. Kevin Mital, the reigning Hec Crighton Trophy winner, made eight catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns, while fellow Hec Crighton hopeful Arnaud Desjardins threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns along with five carries for 41 yards.
The Rouge et Or won last year’s Vanier Cup over the Saskatchewan Huskies by a score of 30-24 at Western Alumni Stadium in London, Ont. It was the program’s eleventh U Sports football championship since 1999 and first since 2019.
The Western Mustangs have opened the season ranked second nation-wide following their 83-0 beatdown of the York Lions. The Huskies, Montréal Carabins, and St. FX X-Men round out the top five.
Canada West’s schedule doesn’t begin until Friday, Sept. 1 when the Alberta Golden Bears visit the Calgary Dinos, the UBC Thunderbirds visit the Regina Rams, and the Saskatchewan Huskies visit the Manitoba Bisons. Carleton (OUA), Concordia (RSEQ), and Saint Mary’s (AUS) will also see their first action this weekend after opening the season with a bye.
Click here for a full breakdown of this past weekend’s football action in U Sports.
