Laval is the most dominant program in CIS football, with the most Vanier Cup wins despite their brief existence. Mount Allison has yet to be ranked in the CIS top 10 this season.
This year marks the first time since 2005 that three programs have advanced to the national semifinals with undefeated records, and yet Mount A was three games under .500 before the leaves began to fall.
In the two teams’ only previous meeting, the Rouge et Or beat the Mounties 73–7.
The historical and present data is overwhelmingly in the Rouge et Or’s favour. But given the Mounties’ squeaker of a victory in the Loney Bowl over St. Mary’s, they’re not going to be intimidated.
THE OFFENCES
The Mount Allison offence revolves around AUS MVP Jordan Botel. He was the country’s biggest workhorse, running the rock 170 times during the regular season. Many of his carries were by necessity as the Mounties’ passing attack was among the worst in the CIS, and Mount A scored more than 30 points just once this year.
The most important member of Laval’s offence oddly enough is Boris Bede, their kicker. He’s a good place kicker but his true value to the team is in his massive punting leg. Not only does he rack up singles, his ability to hem opposing offences underneath the shadows of the goal post has given the Laval defence the opportunity to rack up safeties in bunches.
THE DEFENCES
Laval has built its program on the backs of great defences and this might be Glen Constantin’s best group yet. They ranked first in the CIS in points against (11.5 per game) and against the run (75.8 yards per game). The Rouge et Or gave up more than 20 points just once.
As good as Laval’s defence is as a team some of the best individual defenders in this game actually play for Mount A. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more complete linebacker than Te Nguyen. Behind him in the secondary is the tandem of Donovan Saunders and Kwame Adjei, who are among the most explosive players in the CIS.
THE KEY MATCHUP
Kelly Jeffrey vs. Glen Constantin
Despite the fact that their resumes are vastly different this is a matchup of two of the best and most respected coaches in the CIS. Glen Constantin’s program has raised the bar and forced other CIS institutions to keep up or be left behind. His job is to keep his troops on task and not looking ahead to hosting the Vanier Cup against an undefeated Mitchell Bowl champion.
Laval is a team that thrives off of meticulous timing and precision. Constantin has to urge his troops to pay attention to details in order to continue to improve their execution in preparation for a potential Vanier appearance. If Laval somehow is upset it’s an outcome he’ll never be able to live down.
Jeffrey has the pressure of representing the entire AUS on his plate. Not many expect a Maritime upset but if the game fails to be competitive the voice of dissenters who feel the AUS doesn’t deserve an automatic bid to the bowl games will grow. This stage can be a transitional opportunity for Jeffrey to garner support from his administration, alumni base, and potential recruits. He already has unwavering support from his players.
It’s natural for the Mount A players to feel like they’re already winners now that they are AUS champs. It’s natural for the Laval players to think they’ve already won because everybody has them pegged as such huge favourites. It’s up to each coach to motivate his players accordingly.