Quebec returns to final as Saskatchewan unable to mount 4th quarter comeback

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Saskatchewan was unable to mount a second consecutive 4^th quarter comeback, falling 34-15 to defending champion Quebec in the 3^rd game on day two at the 2012 Football Canada Cup hosted by the Ontario Football Alliance (OFA) at TD Waterhouse Stadium on the campus of Western University in London, Ontario.

Québec took the early lead on a 20-yard Michael Arruda touchdown strike to receiver, Hergy Mayada on their opening drive. Late in the first quarter, Saskatchewan conceded a safety touch to make the score 9-0. Quebec added a single point on a rouge after missing a 25-yard field goal to extend the Quebec lead to 10.

Saskatchewan looked to have answered on a Noah Picton touchdown strike to Mitchell Hillis however penalties would negate the play. A 43-yard field goal miss by Quebec kicker Samuel Chénard, his second of the game would give Saskatchewan the ball back with just over two minutes to play in the half.

Saskatchewan drove the length of the field but missed the third field goal of the half, settling for a rouge to put Saskatchewan on the board 10-1 at the half.

Québec responded with 11.7 seconds in the first half with 31-yard Chénard field goal to make the score 13-1 after a Saskatchewan penalty and player ejection help Quebec drive down the field.

Saskatchewan came out of the gates in the second half looking to score and a 3^rd and 2 gamble led to a turnover on downs. Quebec capitalized on the turnover when quarterback, Michael Arruda found running back, Jonathan Thébaud on a 9-yard pass out of the backfield to go up 20-1 with 6 minutes to play in the 3^rd.

An Ethan Mankozo interception helped set up another Thébaud touchdown, this time a first and goal 3-yard running touchdown to make the score 27-1 with just over three minutes to play in the 3^rd quarter.

Saskatchewan would not go away quietly as quarterback, Noah Picton found Mitchell Hillis on a 36-yard touchdown strike to reduce the deficit 27-8 with just over a minute remaining in the 3^rd quarter.

The momentum looked like it continued to shift as Saskatchewan recovered a Québec fumble and returned it to the Québec 37 to start the final quarter. It appeared that Saskatchewan might be headed for another second fourth quarter comeback however three plays later Saskatchewan was unable to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs at the Québec 35.

An interception by Jesse Gordon gave Saskatchewan life with just over 6 minutes to play. Noah Picton marched his team down the field, and made the score 27-14 after running the ball in from the one yard line on a naked bootleg with just over 2 minutes remaining.

The comeback was all for not. An unsuccessful onside kick led to a 45-yard Donavan Martel run made the final score 34-14 for Québec with just under a minute to play.

Both quarterbacks had strong games. Michael Arruda threw 13 of 20 for 227 yards and two touchdowns while Noah Picton went 28 of 34 for 299 yards with one throwing and one rushing touchdown.

Saskatchewan will play in the bronze medal game at 4 pm ET on Saturday against the loser of Ontario West and Alberta while Québec will face the winner at the gold medal game at 7 pm.

Players of the game: