Everything is in place for another classic

LONDON | On the one hand, an offensive wreaking havoc on the ground. On the other, an attack that multiplies the aerial ability. It goes without saying that everything is in place for another classic between the two best college football programs in the country.

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Université Laval Rouge et Or and the Western University Mustangs have completed preparations for the Mitchell Cup on Friday, which will be played on Saturday afternoon.

The traditional press conference the day before the game took on slightly surreal airs with the absence of the Rouge et Or, forced to stay in a hotel in the town of Grand Bend, on the shores of Lake Huron, almost an hour’s drive by Alumni Stadio.

Coach Glen Constantin and a few players answered questions online. A far from optimal situation since some technical hitches revived the event and prevented the answers from being heard correctly. But the Rouge et Or is far from offended. At least she didn’t let it show for a moment on Friday.

“As we told the players, it’s just a distraction if you pay attention to it. And that’s not our case. As I tell the guys, there is no ‘big win’ without adversity. This is even more true at the end of the week” , he sagely recalled.

The most physical game

Whether wearing mauve or red and gold, the two rival clans still agree on one point. Their duel promises to be the hardest and most physical they’ve known this season.

“It’s going to be a battle on Saturday,” Mustang head coach Greg Marshall predicted from the opening moments of the press conference.

“Against a team like Laval you can’t afford to make mistakes. At this point in the season, you have to control the line of scrimmage to be successful,” he added.

Defensive tackle William Desgagné and teammate Jean-William Rouleau come to the same conclusion as Marshall. Both athletes expect to be “in the heart of the action” against a team that cares so much about the game on the ground.

“I’ve had a lot of success against the ground game. I’m not the heaviest, but if I can stay low against these guys. I think we will be successful, especially with Jean-William [Rouleau], […] they may not have had such big udders from such good ones,” she said.

Desgagné admits he is motivated by the challenge ahead. A challenge that carries the number 5 and is difficult to stop. Running back Keon Edwards is averaging 129 rushing yards in each game this season and has scored nine touchdowns.

It doesn’t matter, he hopes to complicate her life as much as possible.

“If he wants to throw the ball 20 times, well, every time he does that, you have to spank him, spank him so he finds his match for as long as possible”

Keep score tight

For Greg Marshall it will be essential to keep the score close. You must not be left behind.

“This is the key. I think our offensive line is doing a good job” Marshall said.

His vis-à-vis also provides for a tough match.

Still, he wouldn’t say no to a few-point lead in the second half, which could force the Mustangs out of their fearsome ground attack.

“If we have the luxury of taking charge and playing injury time for them, that could help us. […] On two and on 15 they run the ball. Twos and eights, they still get the ball rolling. They will be slow to give up the ground game. »

The match will kick off on Saturday afternoon at 3.00pm.