KINGSTON – Thanks to another brilliant defensive performance, the Université de Montréal Carabins defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 16-9 in Kingston this afternoon to secure their second Vanier Cup in their history after the one in 2014.
The game was broadcast on TVA Sports and on TVA Sports Direct.
This is the first time since 1980 that two teams from the same city have won the Gray Cup and Vanier Cup. In 1980, the Edmonton Eskimos and the Alberta Golden Bears were crowned. The Carabins are avenging the failure they suffered against the same T-Birds in the 2015 Vanier Cup.
After cutting the deficit to a touchdown with five minutes to play, the Western champions were stopped on third down and fourth down at the Blues’ 33 thanks to a great play by Nicolas Roy. After stopping the carbines, the T-Birds were stopped again on a third attempt to end the debate.
“It’s an incredible feeling and I’m really proud and happy for the boys,” said head coach Marco Iadeluca from the start. “We have been betting on the same group for three years and the guys have never stopped believing and working, despite heavy defeats in 2021 and 2022. This group deserves to be crowned Canadian champions.”
“The boys followed the path laid out and the path was not easy in the Dunsmore Cup and the Uteck Cup, plus they faced an excellent team in the Vanier Cup, chasing Iadeluca who won his third Vanier Cup but his first as head coach. “Not allowing a touchdown in four games in the playoffs is unbelievable.”
The Carabins’ defense did not allow a single touchdown in four playoff games. Inside linebacker Nicky Farinaccio led the attack against UBC with a big tackle on Isaiah Knight behind the line of scrimmage on a 3rd down and two at midfield on UBC’s first night in the 4th quarter. He finished the game with 9 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks, and won the Ted Morris Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding defensive player.
DIDIER DEBUS SCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“It’s unbelievable and I don’t have the words to describe my feelings,” he said. I feel, I’m crying. It comes to me. After I made the tackle on the last play of the game, I immediately started crying. I couldn’t believe we had just won the Vanier Cup.
“We gave up yards, but we stepped up our game when we needed to,” Farinaccio continued. This is the best defensive group we’ve had since I arrived at the Carabins. UBC has a really good quarterback. Jo (Jonathan Sénécal) is the best in Canada, but Garrett Rooker isn’t far behind.
With just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Roy made a crucial play and he savored the moment. The hybrid linebacker intercepted a pass intended for Edgerrin Williams-Hernadez. “I’ve been playing football for 13 years and I’ve never won anything,” he said. I trusted my instincts on the cut-down pass. I knew the ball would come inside. In the face of adversity and with the game on the line, we responded and proved to everyone that we have the best defense in the country.”
Most Outstanding Player
Sénécal, who was voted Player’s MVP and awarded the Bruce Coulter Trophy, didn’t get off to the expected start as he fell victim to an interception on the first offensive series, but he pulled off some magic tricks to lead the Blues to the promised land. “We have proven that we are the best team in the country. I was nervous at the start of the game, but the most important thing is that we won. We have the best defense in the country. It’s a great feeling to win the Vanier Cup. I will remember my touch for the rest of my life.”
DIDIER DEBUS SCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
With a seven-yard run, Sénécal made it 16:6 in the third quarter. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 171 yards and added 50 yards on five carries. On an 18-yard run, receiver Iraghi Muganda scored the other major for the Blues. For UBC, Rooker completed 26 of his 40 passes for 278 yards.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING
Great defensive performance from Nicolas Roy (Carabins) at the end of the game:
Big tackle by Nicky Farinaccio (Carabins) at the start of the 4th quarter:
Quarterback Jonathan Sénécal scores a touchdown with a run, the Carabins lead 16:6:
Iraghi Muganda touchdown at the end of the first quarter, 9-0 Carabins:
Jason Soriano (UBC) interception in the first quarter: