Record performances not enough to lift Gaiters

Sherbrooke – On a day where quarterback Jordan Heather broke the record for the most passing yards by a Gaiters quarterback in his career and receiver Alexander Fox set a new mark for receiving yards, the No. 8-ranked Bishop’s Gaiters fell short against the defending Vanier Cup Champions, the No. 1 Laval Rouge et Or. The final score was 46-38.

BOXSCORE

The first quarter saw Laval quickly take a 10-0 lead thanks to a three-yard run by Antoine Leduc (Quebec City) and a 30-yard field goal by Boris Bede (Toulon, France). The Gaiters’ Stephen Adekolu (Brampton, Ont.) scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 25-yard pass from Heather (Oromocto, N.B.) and a spectacular two-point conversion rush by Fox (Montreal). Laval replied with eight more points in the frame. A 33-yard run by Maxime Boutin (Quebec City) and a single by Bede extended their lead to 18-8 after the first quarter.

The teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter. Fox scored his first major of the game on a 28-yard pass from Shane McDonald(Uxbridge, Ont.). Guillaume G.-Bourrassa (La Tuque, Que.) answered for the Rouge et Or as Laval grabbed a 25-15 halftime lead.

Mathieu Paquette (Sherbrooke, Que.) connected on a 37-yard field goal, and Adekolu scored his second major of the game; a 7-yard pass from Heather in the third frame. Bede tacked on a single and connected on a 24-yard field goal to give Laval a 29-24 lead entering the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, both teams gave a spectacular show to the 1,725 spectators that were at the game. Laval’s Yannick Morin-Plante (Drummondville, Que.) and Pascal Lochard (Montreal) scored touchdowns of 40 and 4 yards respectively. Bede’s third field goal of the day made it 43-24 Laval. Nevertheless, the Gaiters attempted an inspired late-game rally. A 15-yard touchdown catch by Fox and a one-yard plunge from McDonald got the Gaiters within striking distance. They trailed 46-38, with less than three minutes left in the game. A last second pass by Heather, his 62^nd of the day, fell incomplete and Laval prevailed 46-38. It was Laval’s fifth win this season, while Bishop’s record is now 3-2.

Bishop’s next game will be in Montreal on Friday, October 4, when they square off against the McGill Redmen. Game time is 7 p.m. at Percival Molson Stadium, and will be broadcasted live on Estrie 107.7 FM. For all the latest about the Gaiters, go to www.gaiters.ca.

Game Notes: Heather went 38-for-62, with 538 yards and three touchdowns. With his performance, he becomes the most prolific passer in Gaiters history…The two teams combined for 1,152 yards overall on offense (522 for Laval and 630 for Bishop’s)… Fox’s total career receiving yards is now 2051. That total means he has the most receiving yards in the purple and silver’s history… Jerome Mercier (Quebec City) also recorded a 100-yard receiving game with 101 yards.
Photo credit:  Marah Even

Source:  Felix Tremblay, Bishop’s Gators Sports Information Writer