Carabins, Marauders ready for 50th Vanier Cup

MONTREAL – The 50^th TELUS Vanier Cup festivities officially got underway Wednesday morning with the traditional Meet the Teams media conference at McGill University’s Tomlinson Hall, steps away from Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, where the milestone CIS football championship game will be played on Saturday.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST between the McMaster University Marauders (10-1) and the hometown University of Montreal Carabins (10-1), live on Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360 and Radio-Canada.

The Sun Life Financial All-Canadian Awards Banquet is set for Thursday evening at the Montreal Sheraton Centre (cocktails 5 p.m. / banquet 6:30 p.m.).

“The TELUS Vanier Cup is a highlight of Canadian’s university football schedule each year. It is great to once again be here supporting this great championship and the important role it plays in building the next generation of our athletes,” said Danny Serraglio, vice-president, Sales, Business Solutions, TELUS Québec and Atlantic Canada. “It’s in TELUS’ philosophy to give where we live, and sport is a key part of that commitment.”

Mark Weightman, president and chief executive officer of the Montreal Alouettes, co-organizers of the event, said fans shouldn’t wait too long to get their tickets.

“The enthusiasm for the game is fantastic. More than 20,000 tickets have already been sold. We’re fast approaching our maximum capacity for the Vanier Cup, which is around 23,500.”

For Pierre Lafontaine, chief executive officer of CIS, the first-ever Vanier Cup held in Montreal is much more than just a football game.

“The entire week will be a celebration of 50 years of CIS football. Both at the banquet on Thursday and at Molson Stadium on Saturday, we will honour many individuals who have contributed to make the Vanier Cup the prestigious event it is today, from past championship-winning coaches to former Hec Crighton Award winners.”

Michael Soles, the former McGill and Alouettes great has been engaged in a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for over nine years, has been named co-president of honour and will do the ceremonial coin toss on Saturday. Soles was the MVP of the 1987 Vanier Cup won the McGill, the only triumph in history by a Montreal-based program.

Former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson has also been named co-president of honour.

McMaster quarterback Marshall Ferguson has the experience of two CIS championship games as a backup to Hec Crighton winner Kyle Quinlan, including the only national title in Marauders’ history in 2011 in Vancouver.

“We’re very excited to be back in the national final. A lot of the guys have never been to Montreal before. We’re expecting a very blue crowd on Saturday. It’ll be fun.”

Marauders head coach Stefan Ptaszek expects a defensive battle.

“Defence seems to be at the forefront for both teams,” said the 2012 CIS coach of the year, whose troops beat Guelph 20-15 in the Yates Cup before defeating Mount Allison 24-12 in the Mitchell Bowl. “Montreal kept Laval out of the end zone in back-to-back games. That says it all right there.”

Montreal linebacker Byron Archambault, the RSEQ conference nominee for the Presidents’ Trophy, is confident the Carabins will be ready come game day.

“This is a great opportunity for us. Our program has progressed every year in recent years and the same can be said about this season, we have been getting better every week. We’re extremely proud to get a chance to play in the national final in front of our fans.”

Head coach Danny Maciocia said his Carabins are battle tested going into the biggest game in program history.

“Getting to the Vanier Cup is always our goal at the start of the season. Our first win against Laval in our regular season finale created a buzz. Then there was our second win over the Rouge et Or in the Dunsmore Cup, followed by a great challenge last weekend against Manitoba. We showed great mental toughness all year, especially after a disappointing season opener at Laval, and now we’re one win away from something very special.”

 

50^TH TELUS VANIER CUP BY THE NUMBERS

 

When: Saturday, Nov. 29, 1 p.m. EST
Where: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Montreal
Who: Montreal Carabins (10-1) vs. McMaster Marauders (10-1)
TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360 & Radio-Canada (pre-game shows at 12:30 p.m.)

Web: CIS-SIC.tv
Radio: 98,5 fm (Montreal), CHML (Hamilton)

 

UNIVERSITY OF MONTREAL CARABINS (RSEQ & Uteck Bowl champions)

2014 season summary
Overall record: 10-1
Regular season record: 7-1
Regular season standing: 2^nd
Playoff record: 3-0
Top 10 final ranking (Nov. 4): No. 2
Top 10 best ranking: No. 2 (poll #10)
Top 10 lowest ranking: No. 5 (polls #2 to 7)

Top 10 number of weeks ranked (10 polls): 10

Regular season offence points (33.9 ppg): 2^nd RSEQ / 9^th CIS

Regular season offence total yards (448.9 ypg): 3^rd RSEQ / 15^th CIS

Regular season offence passing (312.5 ypg): 2^nd RSEQ / 6^th CIS

Regular season offence rushing (136.4 ypg): 4^th RSEQ / 19^th CIS

Regular season defence points (12.5 ppg): 2^nd RSEQ / 3^rd CIS

Regular season defence total yards (301.6 ypg): 2^nd RSEQ / 2^nd CIS

Regular season defence passing (183.4 ypg): 1^st RSEQ / 1^st CIS

Regular season defence rushing (118.2 ypg): 3^rd RSEQ / 6^th CIS

 

2014 results

Sept. 6 (away): Laval 40, Montreal 13

Sept. 12 (home): Montreal 41, Bishop’s 7

Sept. 19 (home): Montreal 43, McGill 17

Sept. 27 (away): Montreal 47, StFX 0

Oct. 4 (home): Montreal 22, Sherbrooke 16

Oct. 11 (away): Montreal 36, Concordia 3

Oct. 25 (away): Montreal 56, Bishop’s 8

Nov. 1 (home): Montreal 13, Laval 9

Nov. 8 (home): Montreal 40, Sherbrooke 13 (RSEQ semifinal)

Nov. 15 (away): Montreal 12, Laval 9 OT (Dunsmore Cup)

Nov. 22 (home): Montreal 29, Manitoba 26 (Uteck Bowl)

2014 RSEQ individual honours

Major awards: Byron Archambault (defensive MVP), Alexandre Laganière (Russ Jackson Award nominee)

All-stars offence: Gabriel Cousineau (QB), Mikhaïl Davidson (IR), Philip Enchill (IR), Régis Cibasu (WR), Jean-Christophe Labrecque (C),

All-stars defence: Jean-Samuel Blanc (DE), Mathieu Girard (DT), Byron Archambault (LB), Anthony Coady (S)

All-stars special teams: Mikhaïl Davidson (RET)

All-time head-to-head vs. McMaster
Overall record: 0-0

Vanier Cup history
All-time record: 0-0

Head coach: Danny Maciocia
Season: 4^th
Career regular season record: 26-8 (.765)
Career playoff record: 5-3 (.625)
Career overall record (season & playoffs): 31-11 (.738)
Career overall record vs. McMaster: 0-0
Vanier Cup record: 0-0
Vanier Cup wins: –
Vanier Cup losses: –

 

McMASTER UNIVERSITY MARAUDERS (OUA & Mitchell Bowl champions)

2014 season summary
Overall record: 10-1
Regular season record: 7-1
Regular season standing: 1^st
Playoff record: 3-0
Top 10 final ranking (Nov. 4): No. 3
Top 10 best ranking: No. 3 (polls #6, 7, 8, 10)
Top 10 lowest ranking: No. 5 (poll #1)

Top 10 number of weeks ranked (10 polls): 10

Regular season offence points (36.4 ppg): 3^rd OUA / 5^th CIS
Regular season offence total yards (482.2 ypg): 5^th OUA / 8^th CIS

Regular season offence passing (316.1 ypg): 2^nd OUA / 5^th CIS

Regular season offence rushing (166.1 ypg): 8^th OUA / 12^th CIS

Regular season defence points (17.8 ppg): 1^st OUA / 5^th CIS

Regular season defence total yards (333.5 ypg): 1^st OUA / 4^th CIS

Regular season defence passing (201.4 ypg): 2^nd OUA / 6^th CIS

Regular season defence rushing (132.1 ypg): 2^nd OUA / 7^th CIS

 

2014 results

Sept. 1 (home): McMaster 34, Guelph 27 OT

Sept. 6 (away): McMaster 66, Waterloo 0

Sept. 13 (home): McMaster 37, Carleton 17

Sept. 20 (away): McMaster 49, York 2

Sept. 27 (home): McMaster 28, Queen’s 19

Oct. 4 (away): McMaster 32, Western 29

Oct. 18 (home): McMaster 27, Laurier 10

Oct. 25 (away): Ottawa 38, McMaster 18

Nov. 8 (home): McMaster 42, Ottawa 31 (OUA semifinal)

Nov. 15 (home): McMaster 20, Guelph 15 (Yates Cup)

Nov. 22 (home): McMaster 24, Mount Allison 12 (Mitchell Bowl)

2014 OUA individual honours
Major awards: Nick Shortill (defensive MVP), Daniel Petermann (rookie), Adam Dickson (Russ Jackson Award nominee), Stefan Ptaszek (coach)
All-stars offence (First Team): Daniel Vandervoort (WR)
All-stars defence (First team): Nick Shortill (LB), Joey Cupido (CB)

All-stars special teams (First Team): Tyler Crapigna (PK)

All-stars offence (Second Team): Zach Intzandt (G), Sean Smith (OT)
All-stars defence (Second Team): Mike Kashak (DE), Scott Martin (DB)
All-stars special teams (Second Team): None

All-time head-to-head vs. Montreal
Overall record: 0-0

Vanier Cup history

All-time record: 1-2

 

2012 (Rogers Centre, Toronto): 37-14 loss vs. Laval 

2011 (BC Place Stadium, Vancouver): 41-38 OT win vs. Laval

1967 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 10-9 loss vs. Alberta

Head coach: Stefan Ptaszek
Season: 9^th
Career regular season record: 54-18 (.750)
Career playoff record: 13-7 (.650)
Career overall record (season & playoffs): 67-25 (.728)
Career overall record vs. Montreal: 0-0
Vanier Cup record: 1-1
Vanier Cup wins: 2011
Vanier Cup losses: 2012

 

PAST VANIER CUPS

 

Year    Winners          Losers             Winning Coach           Losing Coach              Attendance

 

2013    Laval 25          Calgary 14       Glen Constantin           Blake Nill                    18,543

2012    Laval 37          McMaster 14    Glen Constantin           Stefan Ptaszek             37,098

2011    McMaster 41    Laval 38          Stefan Ptaszek             Glen Constantin                       24,935

2010    Laval 29          Calgary 2         Glen Constantin           Blake Nill                    16,237

2009    Queen’s 33      Calgary 31       Pat Sheahan                 Blake Nill                    18,628

2008    Laval 44          Western 21      Glen Constantin           Greg Marshall              13,873

2007    Manitoba 28    St. Mary’s 14   Brian Dobie                 Steve Sumarah             26,787

2006    Laval 13          Sask. 8             Glen Constantin           Brian Towriss              12,567

2005    Laurier 24        Sask. 23           Gary Jeffries                Brian Towriss              16,827

2004    Laval 7            Sask. 1             Glen Constantin           Brian Towriss              14,227

2003    Laval 14          St. Mary’s 7     Glen Constantin           Blake Nill                    17,828

2002    St. Mary’s 33   Sask. 21           Blake Nill                    Brian Towriss              17,179

2001    St. Mary’s 42   Manitoba 16    Blake Nill                    Brian Dobie                 19,138

2000    Ottawa 42        Regina 39        Marcel Bellefeuille      Frank McCrystal          18,209

1999    Laval 14          St. Mary’s 10   Jacques Chapdelaine   Blake Nill                    12,595

1998    Sask. 24           Concordia 17   Brian Towriss              Pat Sheahan                 15,157

1997    UBC 39           Ottawa 23        Casey Smith                 Larry Ring                   8,184

1996    Sask. 31           StFX 12           Brian Towriss              John Stevens                14,577

1995    Calgary 54       Western 24      Peter Connellan           Larry Haylor                29,178

1994    Western 50      Sask. 40 (OT)  Larry Haylor                Brian Towriss              28,652

1993    Toronto 37       Calgary 34       Bob Laycoe                 Peter Connellan                       20,211

1992    Queen’s 31      St. Mary’s 0     Doug Hargreaves         Larry Uteck                 28,645

1991    Laurier 25        Mt. Allison 18  Rich Newbrough          Marc Loranger             30,191

1990    Sask. 24           St. Mary’s 21   Brian Towriss              Larry Uteck                 26,846

1989    Western 35      Sask. 10           Larry Haylor                Brian Towriss              32,847

1988    Calgary 52       St. Mary’s 23   Peter Connellan           Larry Uteck                 13,127

1987    McGill 47        UBC 11           Charlie Baillie              Frank Smith                 14,326

1986    UBC 25           Western 23      Frank Smith                 Larry Haylor                17,847

1985    Calgary 25       Western 6        Peter Connellan                       Larry Haylor                16,321

1984    Guelph 22        Mt. Allison 13  John Musselman          Steve Bruno                 19,842

1983    Calgary 31       Queen’s 21      Peter Connellan                       Doug Hargreaves         18,324

1982    UBC 39           Western 14      Frank Smith                 Darwin Semotiuk         14,759

1981    Acadia 18        Alberta 12        John Huard                  Jim Donlevy                11,875

1980    Alberta 40        Ottawa 21        Jim Donlevy                Cam Innes                   11,000

1979    Acadia 34        Western 12      John Huard                  Darwin Semotiuk         19,397

1978    Queen’s 16      UBC 3             Doug Hargreaves         Frank Smith                 19,124

1977    Western 48      Acadia 15        Darwin Semotiuk         Bob Vespaziani                       19,514

1976    Western 29      Acadia 13        Darwin Semotiuk         Bob Vespaziani                       20,300

1975    Ottawa 14        Calgary 9         Don Gilbert                  Mike Lashuk                17,800

1974    Western 19      Toronto 15       Frank Cosentino          Ron Murphy                24,777

1973    St. Mary’s 14   McGill 6          Al Keith                       Charlie Baillie              17,000

1972    Alberta 20        Lutheran 7       Jim Donlevy                David Knight               10,192

1971    Western 15      Alberta 14        Frank Cosentino          Jim Donlevy                13,041

1970    Manitoba 38    Ottawa 11        Henry Janzen               Bob O’Billovich                       10,550

1969    Manitoba 24    McGill 15        Henry Janzen               Tom Mooney               9,347

1968    Queen’s 42      Waterloo 14     Frank Tindall               David Knight               16,051

1967    Alberta 10        McMaster 9      Clare Drake                 Jack Kennedy              16,167

1966    StFX 40           Lutheran 14     Don Loney                  David Knight               13,678

1965    Toronto 14       Alberta 7          Dalt White                   Gino Fracas                 3,488

 

VENUES

 

Varsity Stadium, Toronto (seating capacity 21,739): 1965-1972, 1976-1988

CNE Stadium, Toronto (seating capacity 33,135): 1973-1975

Rogers Centre, Toronto (seating capacity 32,000 for Vanier Cup): 1989-2003, 2007, 2012

Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton (seating capacity 28,743): 2004-2005, 2008

Griffiths Stadium, Saskatoon (seating capacity: 12,567): 2006

TELUS-UL Stadium, Quebec City (seating capacity 12,300): 2009, 2010, 2013

BC Place Stadium, Vancouver (seating capacity 54,320): 2011