Back in late august 27 teams opened training camp to embark on a journey that would have many different endings for many different teams. As the season started to play out, it became apparent who the players were going to be in the race for the 2014 Vanier Cup. Along the way a few contenders fell off due to injuries and a few surprises popped up. In the end though the top of the standings looked similar to years past as Laval, Calgary, McMaster and Mount Allison all won their respective conference regular season crowns. Montreal, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Guelph however, were all lurking in the background waiting to pounce at the chance for the upset.
Well upsets are what we saw as Calgary’s six year run and Laval’s eleven year run of advancing to the national semifinals were both broken. Manitoba won on the road to advance from the Canwest and Montreal did the same in the Q. Mount A and McMaster also advanced and the final four was set.
In the first semifinal, the Uteck Bowl saw Manitoba head east to take on the number two ranked team in Canada, the Montreal Carabins. In what was a great game, President’s Trophy nominee Byron Archambault recovered a Manitoba fumble deep in Carabins territory, with time running out to seal the 29-26 win.
In the Mitchell Bowl, Mount Allison traveled to Hamilton to face the OUA champion and third ranked McMaster Marauders. In a defensive battle the Marauders advanced playing old school football….strong defense and pounding the ball on the ground. The Marauders, who gained over 200 yards rushing were led by running back Wayne Moore who carried the ball 30 times for 146 yards and a score, in the 24-12 Marauder win.
So what started with twenty-seven is now down to two…..but there is only be room for one!
#3 MCMASTER MARAUDERS-OUA (7-1, 3-0)
VS.
#2 MONTREAL CARABINS-RSEQ (7-1, 3-0)
THE MATCHUP: The Montreal Carabins enter the game as the country’s hottest team having won ten in a row, including beating Laval twice in three weeks. With a smothering defense, ranked first against the pass Montreal and an offense that features the precision passing of QB Gab Cousineau, Montreal is one of the best teams in Canada and on Saturday they will be out to prove they are THE BEST.
The Marauders come in with a very similar look. They feature a top five defense and a top five passing game and although not as dominant on the ground as in years past, the Marauders have shown they can “ground and pound it” if need be. Wayne Moore’s 146 yards on 30 carries against a good Mount Allison defense in the Mitchell Bowl was proof of this.
On paper there is little separating these two as both feature high powered offenses and equally strong defenses. In what should be an outstanding Vanier Cup final, this one could come down to the last few snaps.
MCMASTER BY THE NUMBERS:
Regular season offence points: (36.4 ppg): 3rd OUA / 5th CIS
Regular season offence total yards: (482.2 ypg): 5th OUA / 8th CIS
Regular season offence passing: (316.1 ypg): 2nd OUA / 5th CIS
Regular season offence rushing: (166.1 ypg): 8th OUA / 12th CIS
Regular season defence points: (17.8 ppg): 1st OUA / 5th CIS
Regular season defence total yards: (333.5 ypg): 1st OUA / 4th CIS
Regular season defence passing: (201.4 ypg): 2nd OUA / 6th CIS
Regular season defence rushing: (132.1 ypg): 2nd OUA / 7th CIS
MONTREAL BY THE NUMBERS:
Regular season offence points: (33.9 ppg): 2nd RSEQ / 9th CIS
Regular season offence total yards: (448.9 ypg): 3rd RSEQ / 15th CIS
Regular season offence passing: (312.5 ypg): 2nd RSEQ / 6th CIS
Regular season offence rushing: (136.4 ypg): 4th RSEQ / 19th CIS
Regular season defence points: (12.5 ppg): 2nd RSEQ / 3rd CIS
Regular season defence total yards: (301.6 ypg): 2nd RSEQ / 2nd CIS
Regular season defence passing: (183.4 ypg): 1st RSEQ / 1st CIS
Regular season defence rushing: (118.2 ypg): 3rd RSEQ / 6th CIS
MCMASTERĀ PLAYERS TO WATCH: Marshall Ferguson (QB) Daniel Vandervoort (WR),Ā Wayne Moore (RB) Nick Shortill (LB), Joey Cupido (CB), Tyler Crapigna (PK), Zach Intzandt (G), Sean Smith (OT), Mike Kashak (DE), Scott Martin (DB)
MONTREAL PLAYERS TO WATCH:Ā Gabriel Cousineau (QB), MikhaĆÆl Davidson (IR), Philip Enchill (IR), RĆ©gis Cibasu (WR), Jean-Christophe Labrecque (C), Jean-Samuel Blanc (DE), Mathieu Girard (DT), Byron Archambault (LB), Anthony Coady (S)
WHY MCMASTER MIGHT WIN: Mac showed last week they are comfortable running the ball when the pass isn’t hitting on all cylinders. Against Montreal’s top ranked pass D, this will be crucial. If Mac can establish the run they can shorten the game and give Cousineau less touches. At the same time the run will set up the pass and open the airways up a little for QB Marshall Ferguson. The Manitoba Bisons showed that Montreal isn’t invincible against the pass, as they may have exposed a weakness or two for Mac to take advantage of.
WHY MONTREAL MIGHT WIN: The Carabins defense have showed they can hijack a game. Mount Allison was able to contain the Marauder attack and Montreal is a step up. Offensively, receiversĀ MikhaĆÆl Davidson, Philip Enchill and RĆ©gis Cibasu can be a handful for any secondary and Mac struggled against a Ottawa, one of the nation’s more proficient passing teams.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: It should be an exciting and competitive championship game, as noted both teams are very similar, strong defense, good passing offense. But Montreal looks to be a little stronger at both……
The teams will exchange early blows and then settle into what should be a tight defensive fistfight. Look for a combination of momentum changing plays by the Montreal defense and quick strikes by their offense to chip away at Mac as the Carabin win late.
FINAL SCORE: MONTREAL 27 MCMASTER 23
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