Posted:
#1
SASKATOON (CP) - Saskatchewan is often referred to as a Canadian football hot-bed.
But there will nothing even remotely hot about the battle that will be waged for the Vanier Cup on Saturday in Saskatoon.
The game has classic potential with two varsity greats - the No. 2 ranked Laval Rouge et Or and the fourth-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies - both trying to claim Canadian university football supremacy.
But with temperatures forecast to be -20 C or less and a frozen Griffiths Stadium turf that could double as a dance floor, the title may end up going to the team that can best master the elements.
The cold and the fact that most of the 13,000 fans expected for the game will likely be pulling for the hometown Huskies, can serve as distractions for the players, said Laval head coach Glen Constantin.
"We want to play our best football and not make all the other sides of it a distraction or a big issue," Constantin said Friday before leading his team through their final practice.
"I think the kids are OK .. it's cold and they are dealing with it very, very well."
Laval brought with them 30 pairs of special cleats that they hope will get a grip in the synthetic turf and they worked on using a silent snap count this week to combat crowd noise - something they haven't had to do in years, the coach said.
While the frigid conditions my not breed the best football, it's nothing new for Canadian players, said Huskies head coach Brian Towriss.
"Unfortunately the playing conditions aren't going to be the best for the teams to showcase the best of their abilities," he said. "But those fans will drive us for sure and we've played in these kind of conditions before."
Saturday's game will mark the first time the Vanier Cup has been contested outside of southern Ontario.
It will also mark the next instalment in a Laval-Saskatchewan rivalry that is quickly becoming one of the best in university football.
It began in 2004 when Laval beat Saskatchewan 7-1 in the Vanier Cup game. The Huskies got their revenge in last season's Mitchell Bowl beating the Rouge et Or in a thriller 29-27. The loss hurt so much that Laval flew the Huskies to Quebec City before this season for an exhibition game, which the Rouge et Or promptly won 24-18.
Laval receiver Matthew Leblanc said the previous meetings, especially the Mitchell Bowl loss which happened in Saskatoon, are helpful for preparation.
"It gives us a big advantage," Leblanc said. "We know what we have to face and we know what we are going to be up against crowd-wise."
For Laval to win, the key will be stopping the Huskies potent rushing game and to limit quarterback Bret Thompson's time to pick apart a green secondary.
The Huskies have already amassed 808 rushing yards in three playoff games this year, thanks in large part to running back Tyler 0'Gorman.
O'Gorman has seen the lion's share of the work with fellow running back Scott Stevens nursing a sore ankle.
"All season our rushing has been the strong point of our team just because we have an amazing offensive line that has been able to block for me and Scott," O'Gorman said.
"Every year it is usually one or the other, and I guess this year it's been the rush."
For the Huskies to win, the key will be getting in the face of five-foot-nine Laval quarterback Benoit Groulx, who is diminutive, but can be lethally accurate with the pass.
Groulx, who had 2,422 yard passing in eight regular season games and 687 yards so far in three playoff games, knows the Huskies defensive line, and especially all-Canadian Brian Guebert, will have him in their sights.
"I think Brian Guebert is one of the best defensive ends in the country and he made us a lot of trouble last year," Groulx said.
"We're probably going to double-team him with some running backs or something. We've got to adjust our pass (protection) to this guy because he is a really good player."
Guebert has a lot of respect from Groulx as well and knows pressure is the best way to deal with him.
"He's a very smart quarterback and the ability to get pressure on him and make him make decisions faster than normal is something we have to do as a defence," Guebert said.
"I look forward to getting after Ben, but at the same time, I have a huge amount of respect for him."
Notes: Laval has won all three of the Vanier Cup games the team has played in, Saskatchewan is 3-5. .. Groulx fancies himself quite the John Madden football video game player and says the game has actually helped him study coverages. .. Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison and Quebec City Mayor Andree Boucher have made a bet on the outcome of the game. The losing team's city has to fly the winner's flag and city council will have to wear the winning team's jerseys at a council meeting.
Pinnacle Sports - Vanier Cup Odds
Laval +1
Saskatchewan -1
O/U 47
0
Hot Forum Topics
