(SACKVILLE, N.B.) - On an afternoon where the visiting McGill Redmen defeated the host Mount Allison Mounties 48-17, the real Homecoming story was the retirement of Eric Lapointe's famous number five.
The most successful Mountie of all time had his number retired at the halftime of an entertaining Homecoming game where teams traded points early, before McGill pulled away during the second half.
Mount Allison got off to a quick start when linebacker Te Nguyen intercepted Jonathan Collin's pass on the second play from scrimmage. The Mounties started with the ball on the McGill 11-yard line and three plays later Jordan Botel rushed for three yards for the game's first touchdown. McGill answered right back with a major of their own, needing only two plays, the second of which was a 33-yard run by Luis Guimont-Mota.
Three minutes later, the Mounties' defence was at it again when Ty Nguyen recovered his second turnover of the game, this time jumping on a McGill fumble on their 50-yard line. The Mounties offence went right back to work, starting with a 31-yard completion from Alex Field to freshman Rodreke Joseph. After a 9-yard rush by Botel, Field found Joseph again, this time in the end zone to put the Mounties up 14-7. Field, a third-year quarterback from Darmouth, N.S. had his first CIS start, playing in place of Brandon Leyh who was sidelined with a knee injury. Field finished the game 17-27, good for 127 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions.
McGill once again answered quickly, with Collin finding Joel Brtka from 19 yards out to even the score. McGill took their first lead of the game with six minutes remaining in the first quarter when Collin kept it himself and scampered 11 yards for the score. McGill failed to convert the extra point, leaving the score at 20-14. At the end of the first quarter, the Mounties used a fake punt by kicker Kyle McLean to pick 40 yards and keep their drive going. This would eventually lead to a 31-yard field goal by kicker Renaud Labrecque. McGill would add a field goal of their own on the last play of the first half when Samy Rassy connected from 20 yards out. As teams left the field at halftime, McGill led 23-17.
It was all McGill in the second half as they picked up 13 points in the third quarter and nine points in the fourth quarter to finish with a 48-17 victory. McGill's Jonathan Collin threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns along with two interceptions, while Luis Guimont-Mota led the rushing attack with 141 yards on 18 carries.
Rodreke Joseph, who continues to impress at the receiver position, had six catches for 67 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Botel had 49 yards rushing on 18 carries. On defence, the Mounties were led by halfback Matt Montgomery who had 12.5 tackles on the day. Te Nguyen had 9.5 tackles along with an interception and a fumble recovery for the Mounties while Michael Bohan also had an interception for the Mounties.
The day, however, belonged to the most famous Mountie of all-time Eric Lapointe from Brassard, Que. During a ceremony at halftime to unveil the Lapointe banner at MacAulay Field, Mount Allison director of athletics and recreation Pierre Arsenault commented, "Today we hang a banner to commemorate everything Eric accomplished during his career and to symbolize everything he represents as a player and a person. No other player will ever wear number five again for the Mount Allison Mounties. Eric, number five now forever belongs to you."
For his part, Lapointe was quick to thank those around him for his career accomplishments. "I have never really had the chance to say thank you to the community of Sackville and to the many fans who have supported me during these years," he said. "Today, I would like to say thank you very much for this wonderful honour."
The Mounties return to action this Friday, Sept. 20 when they host the Saint Mary's Huskies at 7 p.m. in their only night game of the 2013 season.
Source: Mount Allison Sport Information