Backup QB relishing Vanier Cup chance

TORONTO — Tristan Grenon felt helpless. The Laval backup quarterback watched from the sidelines in 2011 as the Rouge et Or’s suffered a devastating 41-38 double overtime Vanier Cup loss to the McMaster Marauders.

Now in his fourth year after patiently waiting for his opportunity to be Laval’s starter, Grenon and the Rouge et Or are relishing their chance at redemption in Friday’s rematch.

“For all of us it was a crushing loss, but not being able to help your teammates... it was something I promised that would never happen again,” Grenon said Tuesday at Rogers Centre as players and coaches from Laval and McMaster met the media ahead of the 48th Vanier Cup.

“That fed me all winter long. We’ve earned our ticket and we’re finally here so I have a chance to help my team out.”

In the 2011 final, McMaster led 23-0 at halftime before Laval stormed back to take a 24- 23 lead in the fourth quarter, only to lose in the extra period. Grenon is part of a new-look Laval offence in 2012 that lost five starters, including quarterback Bruno Prud’homme, running back Sebastien Levesque and wide receiver Julian Feoli-Gudino.

Despite all the changes, the Rouge et Or still managed to finish atop the Quebec standings and produced the fourth-best offence in the country with 38.7 points per game.

“[Justin Ethier] is one of the brightest, most talented offensive co-ordinators in the country and you’re seeing his influence as he diversifies and takes what the defence is giving him,” McMaster head coach Stefan Ptaszek said. “That means that some days it’s one student-athlete running up big totals, other games it’s somebody else. They are far more diverse than they have been in recent years.”

Laval head coach Glen Constantin says his squad doesn’t care if it runs for 300 yards or passes for 300 yards, as long as they coming out on the winning end.