Laval University Rouge et Or’s special teams stole the show in a win against the McGill Redbirds in the second game of the calendar, but they didn’t look as good on Sunday against the University Carabins of Montreal.
• Also read: Rouge et Or’s 31:14 defeat against the Carabins: two ball losses that hurt more than the others
• Also read: The Rouge et Or offensive had a difficult day: “We have to look in the mirror, me first”
• Also read: Losses of the ball gave the Rouge et Or a 31:14 defeat against the Carabins
Despite the two blatant mistakes at the end of the 4th quarter that led to ten points for the Carabins, Mathieu Bertrand kept the positive. “Before these two games, we played a very good game on special teams,” the special teams coordinator said. Vincent (Blanchard) was solid again and our coverage units did well.”
When the score was 21:14 towards the end of the fourth quarter, returnee Olivier Cool saw a free throw from Philippe Boyer slip through his arms. On the kickoff that followed Boyer’s fifth field goal of the day, the Rouge et Or fumbled and the Blues recovered possession and scored their first offensive touchdown of the game a few plays later.
“Olivier saw a beautiful opening and looked up for a split second,” explained Bertrand. This can be clearly seen on the film. This is a mistake that can happen to anyone. Due to the swirling wind, the conditions were not easy for the gymnasts. We even saw it with Carl Chabot, who is a four-season veteran.
Earlier this week, Glen Constantin told us that in the past he was sometimes hesitant to rely on a rookie as a return man because of fears about protecting the ball.
The trust of his coach
Will we see a change in the next game next Saturday at Concordia against the Stingers? “Olivier is a young man full of talent and I have confidence in him,” said the former star quarterback of the Rouge et Or. “When you fall off the horse, it is important to get back on as quickly as possible.” I give my players like self-confidence and it is certain that Olivier will receive feedback at Concordia.”
Cool started in Sherbrooke’s first game of the season, particularly due to the injury to veteran Alex Duff, who has since returned to the game, and shined against McGill, completing an 81-yard punt return that scored a touchdown and also made his first career pass catch. Its great speed had surprised some, including Constantin, who did not believe that the product of the Nomades Montmorency was so fast.
In the recent past, the Rouge et Or already relied on a rookie as a returnee. “Antoine Dansereau-Leclerc was ready for it from the start,” said Bertrand. Antony Dufour was also a quick starter in his career.”