KINGSTON, Ont. — Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks head coach Michael Faulds feels his team plays its best football when the competition is tough.
The unbeaten squad should be put to the test Saturday against the Quebec powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or in the Vanier Cup.
"We've been saying to the guys all week that it was very fitting that the Yates Cup had to go through the Western Mustangs, the team that has won the most (Ontario titles)," Faulds said. "And it's very fitting too that the Vanier Cup has to go through the Laval Rouge et Or, the team that has won the most Vanier Cups.
"Our guys are excited. We respect the heck out of Laval and know it's going to take all four quarters."
Led by Hec Crighton Trophy winner Taylor Elgersma at quarterback, the Golden Hawks have outscored the opposition 128-76 over three playoff wins after an 8-0 regular season.
Rouge et Or quarterback Arnaud Desjardins, a finalist for the outstanding player honour, leads a Laval team that needed two close victories to reach the Canadian university football title game.
Laval boasts a stingy defence that led U Sports with just 106 points against over a 7-1 campaign. The Rouge et Or are looking for their second Vanier Cup title in the last three years.
"We're definitely a younger edition but we've grown and tomorrow is our final exam," said Laval head coach Glen Constantin. "So we're look forward to playing really good football against a quality opponent."
The Golden Hawks held a walkthrough for about an hour on Friday morning at Richardson Stadium in rainy, windy conditions. The clouds mostly cleared for the Rouge et Or session in the afternoon.
A sellout crowd at the 8,000-seat Queen's University stadium is expected with cool, overcast conditions in the forecast.
"It'll be a real celebration of football here in Canada," said Faulds. "With the Grey Cup being last weekend, this is the last football game in Canada in 2024 and what a matchup."
Laurier enjoyed home-field advantage in a 29-21 win over Queen's in the Ontario semifinal before topping Western 51-31 in the conference championship. The Golden Hawks looked just as strong on the road, handing the Atlantic champion Bishop's Gaiters their first loss last weekend with a 48-24 rout.
Laval, meanwhile, opened the playoffs with a comfortable 41-18 victory over Concordia. The Rouge et Or beat the 2023 Vanier champion Montreal Carabins 22-17 for the Quebec title before edging the Canada West champion Regina Rams 17-14 last week at Mosaic Stadium.
A fourth-year kinesiology and physical education major from London, Ont., Elgersma led U Sports in passing yards and touchdown completions. He also rushed for seven TDs himself.
Receiver Olivier Cool and running back William Tremblay have four playoff touchdowns apiece for Laval. Tanner Nelmes and Tayshaun Jackson have been productive out of the Laurier backfield while Ryan Hughes has been one of Elgersma's favourite targets.
The Golden Hawks, who last won the Vanier Cup in 2005, have a 2-3 all-time record in the national championship game while Laval is 11-2.
"We have a culture of playing good disciplined football," Constantin said. "If we stick to the process, then we believe we have a good chance."
The Rouge et Or have won both previous meetings against the Golden Hawks. Laval beat Laurier in the Uteck Bowl in 2004 and 2016 at Quebec City.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024.
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Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press
