Laval wins big over Sherbrooke to open regular season

Defending Vanier Cup champions blow out Vert et Or 40-5

The defending Vanier Cup champion Laval Rouge et Or opened up RSEQ conference play looking strong as ever handing the Sherbrooke Vert et Or a 40-5 loss at Telus Stadium in Quebec City Saturday.

At halftime Laval held a 29-4 advantage on the scoreboard thanks to a 24-point outburst of scoring in the game’s second quarter.

After getting a safety and a 15-yard field goal from David Cote in the first quarter, the Rouge et Or scored three touchdowns and a field goal to spring ahead with their 25-point lead at the midway mark.

Cote kicked off the second quarter with a 42-yard field goal at 12:44. Hugo Richard scored a one-yard touchdown at 7:17. Then after Mathieu Hebert’s 18yard field goal for Sherbrooke at 2:22 cutting the score to 15-4, Laval scored two fast touchdowns in the final minute of the half to bolster their lead. Vincent Alaire-tardif scored on a four-yard pass from Richard with 53 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Then after getting the ball back 40 seconds later, Richard threaded a 22-yard pass to Etienne Moiaan to score a touchdown with just six seconds remaining on the clock.

From there Laval went on cruise control in the second half adding another field goal in the third quarter as well as a touchdown and rouge point in the fourth.

Hugo Richard was 29 of 41 passing for 361 yards and three touchdowns in the Laval victory. Sherbrooke’s quarterback Alex Jacobmichaud was 19 of 35 for 204 yards and two interceptions. The top running back in the game was the Vert et Or’s Gabriel Polan with 109 yards on 10 carries.

On defence, the Vert et Or had, in addition to their 57 total tackles, three quarterback sacks, four tackles for loss, and two pass break ups in a strong first showing that was hurt by bad turnovers.

Sherbrooke (0-1) next plays the Concordia Stingers (0-1) at home Thursday August 31 for a 7 p.m. match where they will look to get their first win of the regular season.