Carabins Compete in Vanier Cup

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

The Carabins of the University of Montreal celebrated a resounding victory against the Saint Mary’s Huskies, clinching the Uteck Bowl with a score of 49-19. The match took place in Halifax and secured the Carabins a spot in the upcoming Vanier Cup.

Match Highlights

In a dominant performance, the Carabins showcased their offensive strength led by quarterback Pepe Gonzalez, receiver Enrique Jaimes Leclair, and running back Rémi Lambert. The trio played a crucial role in facilitating three touchdowns for Mathieu Barsalou, who executed impressive goal-line runs.

Stellar Defense

Defensively, the Carabins were formidable. They recorded two interceptions, including a spectacular play by Mathieu Lapierre in the end zone against Huskies quarterback Justin Shibley. At halftime, the score was a one-sided 22-2, reflecting the Carabins’ dominance.

Second Half Rally

After halftime, the Huskies appeared revitalized. Shibley adjusted his pace, and an unexpected fumble by Gonzalez allowed SMU to close the gap to 22-12. However, the Carabins quickly regained control, with Jaimes Leclair catching a touchdown pass from Gonzalez to extend the lead to 29-12.

Mathis Bérubé intercepted Shibley, contributing to another touchdown by Grégory Mulenda-St-Pierre.
With a fourth touchdown, Barsalou propelled the score to 43-12, sealing the Carabins’ path to the Vanier Cup.

Gonzalez’s performance concluded with 18 completions out of 26 attempts for 168 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Following his departure, quarterback Rakim Canal-Charles stepped in for the final plays.

Final Stats and Future Prospects

The game wrapped up with a final score of 49-19 after Cherokee Robinson scored a consolation touchdown for SMU. The Carabins excelled on the ground, racking up 264 rushing yards compared to the Huskies’ 72.

This upcoming Vanier Cup marks the Carabins’ second appearance in three years and highlights a successful freshman season for quarterback Pepe Gonzalez. However, kicker Philippe Boyer will need to improve his performance moving forward, having faced challenges with blocked kicks and missed attempts during the game.

Looking Ahead: The Vanier Cup

The Carabins are eagerly anticipating the Vanier Cup, scheduled for next Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Their opponent will be determined after the Mitchell Bowl concludes, as the matchup features teams from the universities of Saskatchewan and Queen’s.