FCC Recap: Second half comeback powers Quebec past Alberta for third consecutive title

For the third consecutive year, Alberta faced two-time defending champion Quebec in the gold medal game of the 2013 Football Canada Cup at Moncton’s Rocky Stone Field on Sunday night.

GAME STATS

 

After Alberta rushed out to a halftime advantage Quebec surged back in the second half to capture its third consecutive national championship with a 42-15 win.

Alberta opened the game’s scoring at 10:08 of the 1st quarter after Alberta forced a Quebec 2-and-out inside the 20-yard line. The 3rd down snap to Quebec punter William Pettersen sailed above his head into the end zone. Alberta defensive lineman Bobby Sugai jumped on the loose ball in the end zone to give Alberta a 7-0 lead following the Vuyani Ndholva extra-point.

To close out the 1st quarter, Ndholva added a 44-yard field goal to give Alberta a 10 point lead.

At 7:36 of the 2nd quarter, Quebec narrowed the Alberta lead to a touchdown following a 12-yard William Pettersen field goal.

Late in the 1st half a 61-yard Alberta punt backed Quebec up to their own 14-yard line. The play came at a huge cost to Alberta as their starting quarterback Ben Kopczynski who is also on punt coverage injured his leg on the play, ending his day prematurely.

Following a 2-and-out, Quebec conceded the safety to give Alberta a 12-3 advantage heading into halftime.

Ben Kopczynski’s injury forced Colton Hunchak from his starting receiver spot to quarterback and the Alberta offense was unable to find its rhythm after the change.

Quebec added a late 12-yard Pettersen field goal to narrow the Alberta lead to 6 at halftime.

Quebec continued to make ground in the second half as they evened the score on a 1-yard Frédérique Paquette-Perrault quarterback keeper to open the 3rd quarter. Quebec took a 13-12 lead William Pettersen’s extra-point conversion.

On the following drive, Alberta’s day began to unravel. An Alberta fumble on a 3rd and 1 conversion attempt at mid-field was recovered by Quebec linebacker Samuel Ross.

Quebec capitalized on the turnover as quarterback Frédérique Paquette-Perrault connected with receiver Marc-Antoine Pivin on a 25-yard touchdown pass to give Quebec a 20-12 advantage.

An Alberta fumble on punt return gave Quebec a 1st and goal at the 1-yard line. Alberta was able to minimize the damage to a 14-yard field goal to make the score 23-12 with under two minutes left to play. The defensive stance began with a tackle for a loss of one by linebacker Micah Teitz followed by a procedure penalty against Quebec.

 

Quebec added a Félix Laflamme receiving touchdown, an Antoine Mongeau fumble return for a touchdown, and a rushing touchdown from Joel Soucy to make the final score 43-12.

 

Players of the Game:

Alberta

Offensive: #60 Mark Korte

Defensive: #52 Bobby Sugai

Quebec

Offensive: #12 Marc-Antoine Pivin

Defensive: #7 Nicholas-Rohan Plourde-Hector

Photo credit:  Football Quebec