Bedell's Blitz: A Vanier Cup for the Ages

Game Wrap: Vanier Cup Edition

If the Vanier Cup was any indication of the kind of football we're going to see the rest of the weekend, Canadian Football fans better strap in because it's going to be a wild one.

Friday night's Vanier Cup battle between the McMaster Marauders and Laval Rouge et Or was definitely an instant classic with more twists and turns than a roller coaster.

I had the privilege of watching the action from the Rouge et Or's sideline. And let me tell you, it was pure, hard-hitting drama at its best.

The first half was dominated by a superior athlete in Kyle Quinlan who took it to Laval's defence with his arm and his feet to pace the Marauders out to a stunning 23-0 lead over the defending champions by halftime.

The second half featured the heart, pride, and ability of the Laval squad to fight back like the champs they are to put points on the board almost every way possible in order to take an improbable 24-23 lead in the fourth quarter.

Then after a full 60 minutes, the crowd of nearly 25,000 was treated to a double-overtime thriller of a close that ended with McMaster's 20-yrd field goal to win the school's first=ever Vanier Cup 41-38.

Kyle Quinlan's the Real Deal

In the first half, Laval simply had no answer for McMaster QB Kyle Quinlan. No matter how often the Rouge et Or blitzed, they couldn't get to him before he completed pass after pass into Laval's zone coverage.

By halftime, Quinlan had completed 20 of 27 passes for 265 yards and a TD. More than anything, the young QB's anticipation and accuracy enabled him to get balls to his receivers before Laval's rush could get home.

When space was available outside via the ground, Quinlan exploited it as well all game long. All totaled, he beat Laval's contain for 106 yards on 14 carries.

Hands down, Kyle Quinlan was the best athlete on the field Friday night. And his performance should put to rest any doubt over his ability to play QB in the CFL. He's got the goods to do the job. Now we just have to wait to see which team gives him the opportunity.

So Is Laval's Heart

As TSN's Duane Forde said after the game, most teams would've packed it in down 23-0 at the half. Laval most certainly did not.

Special teams and defence produced 14 quick points in the first four minutes of the second half, seven on a tremendous weaving punt return by Guillaume Rioux and seven off a pick six by LB Frederic Plesius.

That quick point swing lit the Rouge et Or's fire and completely changed the direction of the tilt in all facets of the game. Once back in it at 23-14, Laval's defence started finding ways to get Quinlan off the field, and Bruno Prud'Homme and the offence got some traction and started to produce yards and points themselves.

The fact that a team down 23-0 at the half could fight back to force double overtime is a testament to the quality of Laval's program. It was certainly a display of heart and determination I've rarely seen on a football field.

Simply put, Laval played like the champs they are until there was no more time to fight.

Five Players that Swung the Games

1) Kyle Quinlan (QB, McMaster)

No doubt, 482 yards passing and 106 rushing was the player-of-the-game performance of all performances. Quinlan was lights-out all game long and was the one aspect of the Marauders' game that Laval could not match.

2) Robert Babic/Michael Dicroce (WRs, McMaster)

These two targets combined for 237 yards receiving on 19 catches. Down after down, they found holes on Laval's zone coverage to move the chains.

3) Aram Eisho (LB, McMaster)

With 11 solo tackles and a forced fumble, Aram Eisho was in beast mode Friday night. The LB was all over the field making plays for the Marauders

4) Julian Feoli-Gudino (WR, Laval)

When the Rouge et Or passing game heated up in the second half, it was Feoli-Gudino pacing it. His 10 grabs for 106 yards and a major would've been Player-of-the-Game worthy if the Rouge et Or had pulled it out in the end.

5) Frederic Plesius (LB, Laval)

Plesius might not have made as many plays in the game as we are accustomed to seeing from the all-star LB, but the plays he made kept his club in the game. His interception return early in the second half was absolutely the light that lit Laval's fire.

Up Next

I'll be checking in later today with reports from the Lions' and Bombers' walk-throughs and a preview of the Grey Cup match-up.

Until then, stay warm and dry. I'm cold and wet enough for everyone out here in Vancouver.