By Ustad Khaira, Shaleni McBain and Luke Vermeer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xlpHJzpnGU
Quebec City’s Laval University got its revenge on Hamilton’s McMaster University, claiming the title of 2012 Vanier Cup football champions.
The two teams met in last year’s final, with the McMaster Marauders eking out a 41-38 double overtime victory in Vancouver.
After trailing at halftime, the Laval Rouge et Or pulled its socks up and got ahead of McMaster, ending the game 37-14. The win has brought Laval to a record seven Vanier Cup championships.
Laval’s Erik Morin said the joy of winning the championship trumps any past disappointment.
“I’ve lost a couple of championships in my life, and to finally win one – especially one as big as this one – we’re on cloud nine for sure,” said Morin.
“It’s definitely a way to get redemption.”
Maxime Boutin brought the team ahead in the third quarter with an 11-yard run, putting Laval ahead by five points.
The prospect of getting revenge against the Marauders was something the players were thinking about, but Boutin said they didn’t let it affect their performance.
“All year and all week we were thinking about this (comeback opportunity) but during the game we only wanted to play,” Boutin told Humber News.
Boutin rushed 253 yards in the game and brought his team two touchdowns.
He also had the play of the game, making an 84-yard run in the third quarter, putting the score to 28-14.
Boris Bede kept the scoreboard active in the final quarter, kicking three field goals and raising the score to 37-14.
Boutin received the Ted Morris Memorial award for game MVP at the ceremonies after the game, while Arnaud Gascon-Nadon of Laval received the Bruce Coulter award for defensive player of the game.
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