2024 U SPORTS Football Conference Championships Recap: Bishop’s, Laurier, Laval, and Regina Capture Titles
Four thrilling U SPORTS Football conference finals concluded on Saturday, November 9, 2024, as Bishop’s, Laurier, Laval, and Regina emerged victorious, each securing their place in the upcoming Uteck and Mitchell Bowls.
Loney Bowl: Bishop’s Gaiters vs. St. Mary’s Huskies
In Lennoxville, Quebec, the Bishop’s Gaiters captured their first-ever AUS title with a nail-biting 25-22 triple-overtime win over the St. Mary’s Huskies. Kicker Xavier Gervais delivered the game-winning 25-yard field goal in the third overtime period, sending Coulter Field into a frenzy and sealing Bishop’s first AUS championship since joining the conference in 2017. The Gaiters last won a conference title in 1994 when they lifted the Dunsmore Cup in the now-defunct OQIFC.
The victory was hard-earned, as Bishop’s overcame four fumbles and three failed third-down conversions. The Gaiters dominated in total yardage, outgaining the Huskies 440 to 235, and recorded 28 first downs to St. Mary’s 12. Running back David Chaloux was named the game MVP, accumulating 160 rushing yards on 20 carries, including a 57-yard touchdown run. Gervais proved instrumental with six successful field goals, including the game-tying kick in the closing seconds of regulation.
Defensively, Gabriel Royer forced a crucial fumble late in the fourth quarter that kept Bishop’s hopes alive, and AUS Defensive Player of the Year Alex MacDonald added 8.5 tackles and an interception. Gervais’s final kick lifted Bishop’s into the Uteck Bowl, where they will face the Laurier Golden Hawks next Saturday.
Dunsmore Cup: Laval Rouge et Or vs. Montreal Carabins
The Laval Rouge et Or added another chapter to their storied rivalry with the Montreal Carabins, clinching the Dunsmore Cup with a 22-17 victory at Telus Stadium in Quebec City. This win marked Laval’s 17th Dunsmore Cup, setting them up for a showdown against the Regina Rams in the Mitchell Bowl.
Quarterback Arnaud Desjardins led Laval with a steady performance, completing 27 of 37 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. Laval’s offensive surge in the second half proved decisive, with Desjardins connecting on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Olivier Cool early in the third quarter, followed by a short rushing touchdown from William Tremblay in the fourth. The defence also made key contributions, with Loïc Brodeur forcing a critical fumble on Montreal quarterback Jonathan Sénécal that set up Tremblay’s score.
The Carabins mounted a late comeback with a touchdown pass from Sénécal to Simon Riopel, but Laval’s defence held firm, securing the win and continuing their dominance in the RSEQ.
Yates Cup: Laurier Golden Hawks vs. Western Mustangs
In Waterloo, Ontario, the Laurier Golden Hawks defeated the Western Mustangs 51-31 to capture their ninth Yates Cup title and first since 2016. Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma, named Yates Cup MVP, threw four touchdown passes and completed 18 passes for 306 yards, leading his team to an emphatic victory over their longtime rivals. This triumph also marked a measure of revenge for Laurier, who fell to Western in the past two seasons.
The Golden Hawks’ offence was nearly unstoppable, racking up 599 yards of total offence, with standout running back Tanner Nelmes contributing 170 rushing yards in a career-best performance. Laurier’s offensive execution kept Western’s defence on the back foot, with Elgersma connecting with Tayshaun Jackson and Ethan Jordan on long scoring plays that gave Laurier a commanding lead.
Head coach Michael Faulds, a former Team Canada quarterback, will now take Laurier to Lennoxville to face the Bishop’s Gaiters in the Uteck Bowl.
Hardy Cup: Regina Rams vs. Saskatchewan Huskies
The Hardy Cup was a historic all-Saskatchewan showdown, as the Regina Rams emerged as conference champions with a 19-14 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon. The win snapped a 24-year title drought for the Rams, marking their first Canada West title since 2000. Despite being fourth-seeded underdogs, the Rams played with resilience, overcoming a 14-11 halftime deficit and seizing the lead in the third quarter, where they held on to secure the victory.
Rams quarterback Noah Pelletier delivered a solid performance, passing for 228 yards and one touchdown, while Regina’s defence played a decisive role, forcing four interceptions and limiting Saskatchewan’s potent rushing attack to just 81 yards. Carson Sombach’s pick-six in the third quarter swung momentum definitively in Regina’s favour, and Colin McKellar’s late interception sealed the win.
Rams head coach Mark McConkey emphasized the significance of the victory for the program. “This win proves the tide is turning. The Rams are for real,” McConkey said after the game. Regina will host Laval in the Mitchell Bowl on November 16th, with a berth in the Vanier Cup on the line.
Looking Ahead: Uteck and Mitchell Bowls
With their conference titles secured, Bishop’s, Laurier, Laval, and Regina advance to the U SPORTS national semifinals. Bishop’s will host Laurier in the Uteck Bowl in Lennoxville, while Laval will travel to Regina for the Mitchell Bowl at Mosaic Stadium. Both games take place on Saturday, November 16, setting the stage for a thrilling lead-up to the 59th Vanier Cup in Kingston, Ontario on Nov. 23
About Football Canada
Football Canada is the national governing body for amateur football in Canada, committed to developing and promoting the sport at all levels—from grassroots to high-performance national teams. Founded in 1884, Football Canada oversees programs and competitions that engage players, coaches, and officials across the country. The organization strives to foster a safe and inclusive environment, emphasizing the values of teamwork, respect, and excellence. Through collaborations with leagues like U SPORTS, Football Canada plays a vital role in shaping the future of football in the nation.
About U SPORTS
U SPORTS is the national governing body for university sports in Canada, representing 56 member universities across the country. It oversees athletic competition in 12 sports, including football, at the university level. U SPORTS is dedicated to excellence in sport, academic achievement, and leadership development, supporting student-athletes on and off the field. U SPORTS championships provide a platform for Canada’s top university athletes to showcase their talents, with national semifinals and the Vanier Cup highlighting the best in Canadian university football.
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