Source: Stéphane Jobin, Laval Sports Info / Photo credit Yan Doublet
2013 regular season record: 8-0
2013 regular season standings: 1st in RSEQ
2013 playoff record: 4-0
2013 playoff finish: 32-11 home win vs Sherbrooke
(RSEQ semi); 14-11 home win vs Montréal (Dunsmore Cup);
41-28 away win vs Mount Allison (Uteck Bowl); 25-14 home win vs
Calgary (Vanier Cup)
The Rouge et Or will attempt this season to become the first team in CIS history to claim three Vanier Cups in a row, after being crowned for a second straight year on its own field last season, thanks to a 25-14 win over the Calgary Dinos.
Laval will once again rely on a competitive team with the return of eight starters on offense and the same number on defense. They eight-time national champions will also see three key players return from major injuries: DL Jean-Alexandre Bernier, DB Thomas Girard and REC Matthew Norzil. These three student-athletes had missed the entire 2013 season.
The Rouge et Or also has the challenge to maintain their sequence of successes at home, which stands at 65 games. Glen Constantin’s players have not lost on their own turf since September 2004, a 14-13 setback inflicted by the Montreal Carabins. It is the same “Bleus” who will be the first visitors to TELUS-Université Laval Stadium on September 6 for the opening match of the 2014 season.
Quote from head coach:
"Overall, we should have a competitive team, even though many veterans have left us."
"We have improved our defensive line with the return of Vincent Desloges (Ottawa RedBlacks) and Jean-Alexandre Bernier for a fifth season. It is very interesting for our defensive line to benefit from their experience."
"Our DBs will be more consistent and more mature. We hope to have fewer changes every week as it was the case last year. Our linebackers should also give us nice things, since we have the chance to enjoy some stability at that position."
"Offensively, four of our five starters on the line are back. There will be a good battle for the position of centre to replace Pierre Lavertu (Calgary Stampeders)."
"In the back field, the team is full despite losing Pascal Lochard (British Columbia Lions). Maxime Boutin, Guillaume Bourassa and Christophe Normand are already established, but young players like Vincent Alarie-Tardif and Christopher Amoah are already very good."
"At the quarterback position, Alex Skinner has gained experience last year, but he will miss the first two games of the regular season due to a suspension imposed internally. Rookie Hugo Richard, who did very well in spring camp, is already showing some nice things so far in training."
"Finally, we have lost several good receivers over the past two seasons, but we have some recruits who are ready to attack the ground."
Head Coach: Glen Constantin
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2014):
14
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2014): 14
- Career regular season record with team: 91-16
- Career regular season record in CIS: 91-16
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs
only): 128-24
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only):
128-24
OFFENCE
Number of returning starters: 8
Key returning players:
Danny Groulx - Charles Vaillancourt - Karl Lavoie - Philippe Gagnon
Four of the five starters from what was considered by many as one of the best offensive lines in the country are back. Lavoie and Vaillancourt were selected on the CIS first team All-Canadians in 2013, the latter also appearing on the second Canadian squad in 2012, his first season with the team. Groulx and Lavoie have also participated in the East-West Bowl in May, helping the East team to win by 19 to 12.
Maxime Boutin
With 449 rushing yards in eight games last season, it’s once again in the playoffs that RB Maxime Boutin was the most incisive. The #1 ran for 163 yards in the Uteck Bowl final against the Mount Allison Mounties, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Then, in the Vanier Cup final, the 2012 Ted Morris Trophy winner has accumulated another impressive total of 190 yards on 20 carries.
Matthew Norzil
A nasty knee injury suffered in the first game of the 2013 season caused the receiver to rest for several months. Laval’s best receiver in 2012 with 34 receptions for 548 yards and six touchdowns, Norzil had become the favorite target of Tristan Grenon. He also added 116 yards on 10 carries.
Key recruits or transfers:
Christopher Amoah
The 5'10, 200-lb running back emerges from Upper Canada College (CISAA). Amoah was a member of the Quebec team in 2010 and 2011, in addition to having participated in the World U-19 championship in 2012, contributing to the Canadian victory over the Americans with a touchdown.
Vincent Alarie-Tardif
Rookie of the year of the RSEQ - Division III in 2010, Alarie-Tardif is another running back that may be seeing some action quickly. Last year, he racked up 623 yards on 76 carries with Chicoutimi, averaging 8.2 yards per carry, in addition to scoring nine touchdowns.
Key losses: Pierre Lavertu (Calgary Stampeders), Yannick Morin-Plante (end of eligibility), Pascal Lochard (BC Lions)
DEFENCE
Key returning players:
Jean-Alexandre Bernier
Unexpected return for defensive tackle Jean-Alexandre Bernier, who believed that his college career was over after injuring his Achilles tendon in training camp in 2013 that caused him to miss the entire season. Through his leadership, the member RSEQ defensive all-star team member in 2011 will bring much more than a physical presence on the Laval front.
Vincent Desloges
Author of team-high 8.5 sacks in 2013, Desloges took advantage of a professional camp experience this summer with the Ottawa RedBlacks, who have made him their 7th round choice at the last CFL Draft. Not only has he had a great season, Desloges improved his game even more in the playoffs with a total of eight quarterback sacks in four games. He also received the Bruce Coulter Award for the best defensive player in the 2013 Vanier Cup.
Mathieu Masseau
Linebacker Mathieu Masseau is becoming more and more important in the Laval defensive unit, both on the field and in the locker room. The fourth-year veteran completed last season with 15 solo tackles and 12 assisted. Masseau, who took part in the East-West Bowl in May, was named on the RSEQ defensive All-Star team the last two seasons, in addition to being selected on the first CIS squad in 2012.
Key recruits or transfers:
Ugo Cavalancia
Cavalancia, a former Collège André Grasset (RSEQ -. Div II) player, has accumulated honors these past two years. Outstanding Defensive Player and Lineman last year, the 6-1, 270 pounds was also selected on the defensive all-star team in 2012 and 2013 Cavalencia managed 28 tackles, including seven for a loss and six sacks last season.
Dominic Raimondo
Linebacker at Cégep du Vieux Montreal (RSEQ -. Div I), Dominic Raimondo could appear on the dress list quickly. The 6' and 215 lbs managed 34 solo tackles and 30 assisted in 2013, in addition to breaking four passes.
Key losses:
Vincent Plante (end of eligibility), Abel Boucher (end of eligibility), Adam Thibault (Calgary Stampeders)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key returning players:
Boris Bede
Kicker/punter Boris Bede will return for a final season with the Red and Gold. Author of 73 points last season (13 FGs, 25 PATs, 9 rouges), the Frenchman impressed most with his power. He has averaged 41 yards per punt, but more importantly, he sent 33 of his 82 strikes inside the opponent’s 20 yard-line. Bede has also represented France at the last European Football Championship, where France finished 3rd.
Key losses:
Guillaume Rioux (end of eligibility)