In one of the most exciting games at PEPS in the program’s history, Laval University’s Rouge et Or defeated 9,512 Stingers fans this afternoon by a score of 34-27 in the second overtime.
Édouard Arsenault scored the decisive touchdown in overtime. Concordia recovered the ball at the Rouge et Or 35 line but was unable to tie the game. On a third attempt and two yards at the 11 line, Olivier Roy escaped the throw, confirming the victory.
Crucial interception
With the Stingers at midfield midway through the 4th quarter, Maxym Lavallée made the game-winning play by intercepting an offering from Olivier Roy. His 43-yard return paved the way for Édouard Arsenault’s 22-yard reception to make it 24-10.
Concordia responded immediately with a touchdown by Olivier Roy on an eight-yard run, cutting the deficit to seven points.
On a 3rd down with 4 yards left, Ezekiel Tieide caught a 34-yard pass from Roy to put the two teams back on first and force overtime.
Third quarter
The Rouge et Or took advantage of a gift from the Stingers in the third quarter. On a 2nd down and 1, Concordia called reserve quarterback Adrian Guay, a short gain specialist, but he was unable to grab the center’s throw.
Senior defensive back Maxym Lavallée recovered the ball and galloped 49 yards for a touchdown.
Despite trailing by 14 points, the Stingers didn’t give up. On a fake punt, receiver Ezechiel Tielde threw a pass to Anthony Paul-Hus, who defended a tackle for a first down.
A few plays later, Tielde caught a 20-yard pass from Olivier Roy, cutting the deficit to 17-10.
The Rouge et Or also lost the services of star cornerback Jordan Lessard, who injured his arm after throwing a pass.
First half
In the first half we were faced with a defensive struggle. With the return of four defensive linemen, the Rouge et Or secured four sacks in the first 30 minutes, two for Carles-Lee Alarie Tardif and two for William Quenneville.
The Laval defense forced the Stingers to concede a sure touchdown on their first offensive series.
After an 18-yard reception in the 1st quarter, Kevin Mital was tackled hard by defensive back Mohamed Cisse. Under the force of the impact, the halfback lost his helmet and remained on the ground. We didn’t see him again in the first half
Interception by Justin Cloutier
After an interception by Justin Cloutier that placed the Rouge et Or at the Stingers’ 27-yard line, Arnaud Desjardins scored the game’s first touchdown with a one-yard sneak. A 26-yard pass to Alex Duff paved the way for the game’s first major.
Two rigged games
Kicker Vincent Blanchard ran into the wind and made a trick play on a 14-yard run, but the offense couldn’t capitalize.
In the final minute of the first half, the Stingers responded with a trick play. A punt was handed off to receiver Ezekiel, who completed a 36-yard pass to defensive back Mendel Joseph.
The Stingers’ trick play allowed them to score first thanks to a 28-yard field goal by Eric Maximuik 27 seconds before halftime.