At the end of the game, which will most likely be his last in a Laval University Rouge et Or uniform before making the jump to the CFL, Kevin Mital was emotional.
• Also read: The Carabins Champions!
“I’ve known for a long time that this could be my last game in Laval, but I’m going to take it step by step,” said the slotback. I’ll digest this before I think about anything else.”
Mital, author of seven receptions for 64 yards and a 19-yard run, would have liked to have given more, but he liked the determination of the Rouge et Or. “For a team that lost 28-0 four weeks ago, we have pretty hard fought battle. We came out with great energy and the Carabins were definitely hot at halftime.”
“As has been the case all season, the offense has struggled to pursue the 2022 Canadian MVP. Due to my injuries and a suspension, I wasn’t able to perform as well as I wanted. Today the defense kept us in the game.”
“Best decision”
When Mital landed in Laval in 2020 after a season with the Syracuse Orange in Division 1 of the NCAA, he had no regrets about returning home. “Although everyone thought it was a basement decision to give up on the NCAA dream, it was one of the best decisions of my life as a young adult,” he said. I often tell my parents it was my best decision.”
An impeccable defense
The Rouge et Or defense only allowed the Carabins 203 yards and caused two turnovers. Of the Blues’ 12 points, only three were the result of the offense.
“The defense couldn’t have done better,” said defender Maxym Lavallée. We fought until the end and Montreal played a better game than us. We showed up in a good mood and gave it our all. I regret nothing. The same goes for my six-year journey that just ended.
After that heartbreaking loss, Arnaud Desjardins cried and blamed himself for the interception that led to a touchdown. “It was a bad game that made the difference,” he explained. We faced a very good defense and it’s difficult to lose the ball like that. I left everything on the pitch, but it wasn’t enough.”
Desjardins completed 17 of his 33 passes for 149 yards and was the victim of three interceptions. He was the leading rusher for the Rouge et Or with gains of 36 yards on eight carries.
On the Carabins side, Jonathan Sénécal paid tribute to his defensive teammates. “Hats off to our defense, which is the best in the country and has proven it,” said the pivot, who completed 18 of his 26 passes for 175 yards and added 29 yards on seven carries. Thanks to Laval, whose defense showed us things we hadn’t seen before and who had a good plan to counter us from start to finish.”
With eleven balls for 94 yards, Carl Chabot was the Blues’ best player. “It was a big battle for positioning on the field and it was important to get big first downs even if we didn’t manage to score,” he explained. Our defense played a big role.”