(Kingston) Marco Iadeluca does not believe that the Université de Montréal Carabins are the favorites for the Vanier Cup.
After all, Iadeluca recalls that the Carabins were the underdogs in their two previous playoff games, against Laval University and Western University, the winners of the Vanier Cups in 2022 and 2021. On Saturday, the Carabins will face the university’s Thunderbirds of British Columbia for the Canadian championship.
“For me, the favorites and the underdogs are for the journalists and the fans,” Iadeluca said after his team’s last training session at Richardson Stadium. What I told the guys is that I’ve been at the University of Montreal since 2011 and we have a 1-3 record against clubs from the west.
These two teams met at the Vanier Cup in 2015, a 26-23 victory for U.C.B. in Quebec. The Thunderbirds are participating in the final for the seventh time and have four victories on their record. The Carabins are in their fourth participation and have lifted the trophy once.
It’s the defense that makes the Carabins favorites. She did not allow a touchdown and only four field goals in three playoff games this fall. Last weekend, the Carabins had eight turnovers and five sacks en route to a 29-3 win over the No. 1 U Sports Mustangs.
It was the first time since 2019 that the Mustangs failed to score a touchdown.
The previous week, the Carabins defeated the Rouge et Or of Laval University 12-6. the defense notably managed three interceptions in this duel.
Thursday, Carabins linebacker Harold Miessan won the President’s Trophy as the best defensive player in the country. He is also one of five Carabins named to the All-Star team on defense.
The U.B.C. returned to the Vanier Cup for the first time since 2015, thanks to a 47-17 victory against the St-François-Xavier X-Men. Their quarterback Garrett Rooker had 303 passing yards with four touchdown passes in this game.
The Thunderbirds offensive line still counts on blocker Theo Benedet, lineman of excellence for a second year in a row in the country.
Head coach Blake Nill will try to win a fourth Vanier Cup, a second with the Thunderbirds.
“Teams from Quebec always have excellent foundations,” said Nill. The Carabins are strong in all aspects and we will have to adjust. This is a different type of opponent for us. »
Montreal relies on more than a good defense. Their quarterback Jonathan Sénécal won the Hec-Creighton Trophy awarded to the outstanding player in Canadian university football.
Sénécal led the RSEQ in passes, with 160 completions on 230 attempts (69.6%) for 2,215 yards and 15 touchdowns, compared to just four interceptions.
He also finished fourth in rushing with 394 yards, a University of Montreal record, on 34 carries. He added six touchdowns.
“We’re expecting a very big match,” said Sénécal. They have several excellent athletes on defense and I know our defense will have to play a very good game, because they have a very good quarterback.
“On defense, they can play man-to-man like a zone defense. It will be a difficult duel. But we are ready. »