UdeM Carabins Are Vanier Cup Champions

Carabins Clinch First Ever Vanier Cup After Heart-Stopping Ending

SportsJulian McKenzie — Published November 30, 2014 | Updated November 30, 2014 at 10:10pm

“This is one of the highlights of my coaching career,” said Carabins head coach Danny Maciocia, who is the first head coach to win a Canadian Football League Grey Cup title and a Vanier Cup.

Down 13-3 at the half, the Carabins turned the game around and amped up a pro-Carabins crowd at Molson Stadium in the second half, scoring 17 of their 20 points, including a game-winning kick from kicker L-P Simoneau with 2:45 left to play in the fourth quarter.

McMaster tried to reply with a field goal on their ensuing possession, but Tyler Crapigna’s attempt was blocked by Carabins lineman Mathieu Girard, ultimately leading to Montreal’s victory.

“[It was a] freak play. It happens. That’s sports for you,” said Marauders quarterback Marshall Ferguson after the loss. “There’s too many throws that I want back and when you’re a fifth-year senior and you lose in your final game, you don’t get any of those back unless you play catch with your kids in ten years.”

The Carabins won the Dunsmore Cup over long-time Réseau de sport étudiant du Québec superpower and previously reigning Vanier Cup champion, the Laval Rouge et Or, two weeks ago before taking down the University of Manitoba in the Uteck Bowl last week, giving them a berth in the Vanier Cup game.

UdeM is the first RSEQ team not named Laval to win a Vanier Cup, since 1987 when McGill won over the University of British Columbia, and Maciocia is proud that his squad has disrupted the norm in Quebec football.

“We needed a fresh face,” said Maciocia. “I think it’s good for university football in general, and I think [it will lead] other institutions to believe that [winning a championship] could happen to them. If they take that from this victory today, then I think it’s a positive message.”

“We have a team that never stopped believing in our goal,” said Carabins halfback Anthony Coady, who made two interceptions in the game, capturing the Bruce Coulter Award for Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the game in the process. “No one stopped believing.”

Carabins receiver Regis Cibasu was honoured as the game’s Most Valuable Player after the game, ending his day with six catches for 90 yards.