59th Vanier Cup Preview
Kingston, ON – The 59th Vanier Cup, Canada’s university football championship, will take place this Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Richardson Memorial Stadium in Kingston, Ontario feature the undefeated Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks and the perennial U SPORTS football powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or.
This year’s Vanier pits two exceptional quarterbacks against each other: Taylor Elgersma of Laurier, the newly crowned Hec Crighton Award winner, and Laval’s Arnaud Desjardins, a 2022 Vanier Cup champion and U SPORTS All-Canadian. Both fourth-year pivots have demonstrated remarkable leadership and skill, with scouts from the CFL and NFL closely watching their performances.
“Taylor has all the attributes of a pro and the arm to make every throw,” said Laurier head coach Michael Faulds in an interview with Natasha Giannantonio for Laurier Athletics. “When you look at quarterbacks like Justin Herbert and Josh Allen, Taylor fits that mold.”
Desjardins, meanwhile, has embraced the lessons from last year’s challenges to prepare for this moment. “The adversity I faced has made me a better quarterback. My focus is on leading my team to victory,” Desjardins shared with Guillaume Piedboeuf of CBC during a Thursday pre-game press conference.
Laurier’s journey to the Vanier Cup has been nothing short of historic. With former Team Canada QB Michael Faulds at the helm, the Golden Hawks completed an undefeated 8-0 2024 regular season, showcasing the best total offence in both the OUA and U SPORTS. After toppling OUA giants the Western Mustangs in the Yates Cup, Laurier carried their momentum into the Uteck Bowl, where Elgersma threw five touchdown passes and recorded 452 passing yards in a decisive victory over Loney Bowl Champions the Bishop’s Gaiters. The team’s roster is highlighted by U SPORTS All-Canadians Ethan Jordan, who became the first receiver in program history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards, and Tayshaun Jackson, a rookie who broke a 50-year record in special teams.
Laval enters the Vanier Cup with a legacy of excellence and a reputation as a perennial powerhouse in Canadian university football. The Rouge et Or earned their spot with a commanding defensive performance in the Mitchell Bowl against Regina solidifying their place in the championship game. Guided by legendary head coach Glen Constantin and the leadership of quarterback Arnaud Desjardins, Laval’s disciplined and methodical approach has been a hallmark of their success. Their defence, orchestrated by coordinator Marc Fortier, has been a standout, with six players named U SPORTS All-Canadians, including Olivier Cool and Justin Cloutier. Desjardins’ experience as a 2022 Vanier Cup champion further solidifies Laval’s status as a formidable opponent.
The weekend’s events in Kingston include the third annual Canadian Collegiate Women’s Flag Showcase, ‘Try Football Day’, Team Ontario Flag Selection Camps, hosted by Football Ontario
“Hosting the Vanier Cup is a testament to Kingston’s ability to deliver world-class events,” said Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson told Fawwaz Muhammad-Yusuf of Global Kingston, “I’m excited, and I think it really is a showcase of what Kingston is capable of and being able to host big sporting events of national significance like the Vanier Cup. It’s an opportunity to showcase our city and its passion for Canadian football.”
