Laval Rouge et Or take top spot in U Sports football rankings

Photo courtesy: Mathieu Belanger/Laval Rouge et Or.

The Laval Rouge et Or have taken the top spot in the U Sports football rankings after knocking off the Montréal Carabins by a score of 42-34 this past weekend.

Laval quarterback Victor Charland threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, two of which went to Hec Crighton Trophy hopeful Olivier Cool. Carabins quarterback Pepe Gonzalez, the reigning U Sports Rookie of the Year, threw for 415 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the loss.

The rivalry game drew a crowd of 21,366 fans to Stade Telus. The two RSEQ powerhouses will meet again in the final week of the regular-season in a game that will likely decide first place in the conference standings.

Montréal fell to No. 2 in the rankings, with the Rouge et Or ascending to the No. 1 spot.

The Western Mustangs (No. 3), Queen’s Gaels (No. 4), Saskatchewan Huskies (No. 5), Saint Mary’s Huskies (No. 6), and Laurier Golden Hawks (No. 9) each held firm in the rankings this week.

The UBC Thunderbirds and Windsor Lancers joined the rankings after failing to make the top 10 last week. The Thunderbirds are now No. 7 after dismantling the Manitoba Bisons by a score of 31-6, while the Lancers are No. 8 after crushing the Toronto Varsity Blues by a score of 54-0.

In corresponding moves, the Regina Rams fell to No. 10, while the McMaster Marauders and Manitoba Bisons placed short of the rankings.

Other programs that were held off the rankings but received votes include the McGill Redbirds, Guelph Gryphons, and Ottawa Gee-Gees.

1) Laval — 148 points (68 media/80 ELO)

2) Montreal — 140 points (68 media/72 ELO)

3) Western — 131 points (67 media/64 ELO)

4) Queen’s — 108 points (52 media/56 ELO)

5) Saskatchewan — 93 points (53 media/40 ELO)

6) Saint Mary’s — 74 points (26 media/48 ELO)

7) UBC — 41 points (25 media/16 ELO)

8) Windsor — 40 points (16 media/24 ELO)

9) Laurier — 32 points (0 media/32 ELO)

10) Regina — 29 points (21 media/8 ELO)

For a full recap of U Sports action this past week, click here.