Dinos mourn Vanier Cup winner Torrance
CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Torrance, quarterback of the Dinos football team from 1987-90.
Torrance passed away suddenly on Tuesday in St. John’s, N.L. He was 43.
A Calgary native, Torrance joined the Dinos in 1987 after playing his high school football at William Aberhart. As a 19-year-old sophomore, Torrance led the Dinos over the Saint Mary’s Huskies with a 52-23 win in the 1988 Vanier Cup at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.
In that game, Torrance set a Vanier Cup record that still stands today. His 86-yard scamper remains the longest running play in Vanier Cup history and the second-longest in school history. He completed 10 of 22 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns while rushing seven times for 93 yards and a major as the Dinos captured their third Vanier Cup in school history.
“We began recruiting Bob in Grade 11, and I always thought very highly of him,” said Peter Connellan, who led the Dinos to four Vanier Cups as head coach. “He was an excellent athlete, very good in track and field and basketball as well as football, and when he played he was one of the best quarterbacks in university football at the time.
“Bob was a strong leader, a very good teammate, and committed to the sport. I had a great deal of affection for Bob, and I relied on him as the team’s quarterback both on and off the field. It’s a real shock.”
Torrance was a second team All-Canadian in both 1989 and 1990 and a Canada West all-star three consecutive years, 1988-90. He remains No. 2 all-time in most quarterbacking categories for the Dinos, including passing attempts (808), completions (434), passing yards (7,085), and touchdown passes (52) – trailing only Greg Vavra in each instance. He holds the University of Calgary’s single-game record of seven touchdown passes, set in Oct. 1989 against Manitoba.
Torrance was selected in the third round, 22nd overall, of the 1991 CFL Canadian Draft by his hometown Calgary Stampeders. He was the third-string quarterback for the Stamps’ 1992 Grey Cup victory in Toronto.
He is survived by his wife Lori and three children. A public memorial service will be held in Calgary at a later date.
Ben Matchett
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