It’s not everyday that the kicker gets named MVP, but such was the case on Saturday as Laval Rouge et Or kicker Felipe Forteza kicked a Vanier Cup record 6 field goals to help his team capture the 2024 championship.
With the 22-17 victory over the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks, Laval earned its record setting 12th Canadian University football title, handing their opponents their first loss of the season.
“The defence did its job and the offence put me in the right position to do it,” said Forteza, “So I’m stoked.”
Forteza is always quick to give his defence their just due, having been a converted linebacker himself prior to taking on kicking duties. “It was a bit heartbreaking for me because I like hitting people,” Forteza said. “I like being intense and that job is really about being calm and trying to stay healthy.”
“I like the position,” he added. “I like the pressure of it and I like the preparation. I like the hard work and being able to kick that (well) during a game.”
Laval receiver Mathieu Roy set a new Vanier Cup record with 13 receptions, as QB Arnaud Desjardins completed his first 22 passes of the game to help put his team in favourable field position all afternoon long. Desjardins would finish with 320 passing yards, and 34 completions, 3 short of the Vanier Cup record of 37 set by Michael Faulds from Western back in 2008.
“We didn’t score touchdowns but we moved the ball very well,” said Laval coach Glen Constantin. “We flipped the field on these guys.”
A near capacity crowd at Queen’s University watched as the Rouge et Or took a 17-7 halftime lead, and never looked back. Golden Hawks QB Taylor Elgersma, who won the Her Crighton Trophy as the most outstanding U Sports football player earlier this week, threw touchdown passes to Ryan Hughes and Jaxon Stebbings, but the high powered offence was fighting an uphill battle in terms of field position for most of the afternoon.
That, coupled with 3 lost fumbles on the afternoon, ultimately stalled out even the promising drives that the offensive unit was able to piece together. Sprinkle in another 6 penalties for 53 yards, and Laval’s near perfect special teams play, and one can see how the high flying Hawks offence was grounded.
With the victory, Laval becomes the first team in 20 years to win the Vanier Cup without having scored any touchdowns in the game.