Around U Sports: Montreal Carabins best rival Laval Rouge et Or in overtime

Photo courtesy: Montreal Carabins

Canada West was idle for the conference’s annual Thanksgiving bye but there was still lots of enticing U Sports action across the country this past weekend. The playoff picture is starting to grow clearer as a handful of teams have clinched home postseason games, while many others still fighting for their playoff lives.

Around U Sports is a weekly feature on 3DownNation that takes readers across the country to summarize collegiate football action, highlighting standout performances and tracking possible playoff matchups. It will run for the full season through the Vanier Cup in Kingston, Ont. on Saturday, Nov. 23.

No. 3 Laval Rouge et Or, 31 — No. 2 Montreal Carabins, 32

It’s always a great game when these two rivals meet and this matchup was no exception as the Rouge et Or, who squandered a nine-point halftime lead, got a game-tying rouge from Emile Choquet on the final play from scrimmage on a missed 42-yard field goal attempt. Carl Chabot caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Jonathan Sénécal on Montreal’s first overtime possession and Laval responded with a touchdown of their own, though the team’s two-point convert attempt fell one yard short, ending the game.

The two RSEQ powerhouses have not only split this year’s season series but did so with an even point differential, giving the tiebreaker to Laval by virtue of season points allowed.

No. 1 Laurier Golden Hawks, 33 — No. 6 Windsor Lancers, 26

The Golden Hawks overcame a late push from the home side to keep their perfect record intact and clinch first place in the OUA for the first time since 2005. Taylor Elgersma threw for 225 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in the win, while Tanner Nelmes and Tayshaun Jackson combined for 129 yards along the ground. Windsor’s offence capitalized on a late Elgersma fumble as Danny Skelton scored on a one-yard touchdown run but the club was unable to force overtime, failing to score on its final drive.

Sherbrooke Vert et Or, 30 — McGill Redbirds, 24

This game was 3-3 at the midway point of the fourth quarter before all hell broke loose. Darius Simmons caught a would-be game-winning touchdown pass for McGill with one minute remaining before Thomas Desrosiers returned the ensuing kickoff 115 yards for a score to force overtime. Sherbrooke forced a takeaway on the Redbirds’ second minigame before Bruno Sénéchal caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Samuel Goulet-Ménard, finally getting the Vert et Or into the win column following an 0-6 start.

St. FX X-Men, 46 — Acadia Axemen, 0

This was a beatdown from start to finish as Silas Fagnan accounted for four total touchdowns and St. FX’s defence held the Axemen to six first downs, 31 net passing yards, and 100 net rushing yards. Acadia’s lone scoring chance came on the final play of the third quarter when Nick Swain missed a 35-yard field goal attempt.

No. 8 Guelph Gryphons, 33 — York Lions, 19

Guelph clinched a home playoff game as Tristan Aboud had a career day, throwing for 470 yards and three touchdowns. York kept battling after trailing by 19 points at halftime and their efforts were aided by a shocking lack of discipline from the Gryphons, who took 22 penalties for 415 yards. After winning only seven games over the last three seasons combined, Guelph has finished the regular season at 6-2 ahead of next week’s bye.

McMaster Marauders, 34 — Waterloo Warriors, 32

The Warriors came close to winning their first game of the season as Romell Samuel-Sloco caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Nolan Kaban with one minute left to force overtime. Unfortunately for Waterloo, Cole Crossett missed a 37-yard field goal on their first possession, failing to force a second minigame. The loss spoiled a career day for Quinten Springer, who carried the ball 35 times for 224 yards and two touchdowns.

No. 4 Western Mustangs, 61 — Toronto Varsity Blues, 6

The visitors led 41-0 by halftime as Evan Hillock threw three touchdown passes and Ethan Dolby, Jerome Rancourt, and Keanu Yazbeck notched scores along the ground. Western’s defence dominated Toronto’s attack, recording four sacks and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Simon King. Despite the dominant win, the Mustangs can still finish as low as third in the OUA standings depending on the result of next week’s game against Windsor.

Mount Allison Mounties, 8 — Saint Mary’s Huskies, 15

Mount Allison took an 8-7 lead just before the three-minute warning when Spencer Joudry scored on a one-yard touchdown run. The Huskies battled back, however, as Devin McGuirk caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Allan Young to win the game with a little over one minute left. Next week’s contest between Saint Mary’s and St. FX will determine which team finishes second in the AUS standings.

The No. 5 Bishop’s Gaiters (AUS), Carleton Ravens, Ottawa Gee-Gees, No. 10 Queen’s Gaels (OUA), and Concordia Stingers (RSEQ) were on bye this past week along with all of Canada West.

Atlantic University Sports (AUS)

Bishop’s Gaiters 6-0
Saint Mary’s Huskies 4-3
St. FX X-Men 3-3
Acadia Axemen 2-5

Mount Allison Mounties 1-5

Ontario University Athletics (OUA)

Laurier Golden Hawks 7-0
Western Mustangs 6-1
Guelph Gryphons 6-2

Windsor Lancers 5-2
Queen’s Gaels 4-3
McMaster Marauders 3-4
Ottawa Gee-Gees 3-4
Carleton Ravens 2-5

York Lions 2-5

Toronto Varsity Blues 1-6
Waterloo Warriors 0-7

Réseau du Sport Étudiant du Québec (RSEQ)

Montreal Carabins 6-1
Laval Rouge et Or 5-1
Concordia Stingers 2-4
McGill Redbirds 2-4

Sherbrooke Vert et Or 1-6

Canada West

Manitoba Bisons 5-1
UBC Thunderbirds 4-2
Saskatchewan Huskies 3-3

Alberta Golden Bears 2-4
Calgary Dinos 2-4
Regina Rams 2-4

John Hodge
John Hodge is a Canadian football reporter based in Winnipeg.