By: Maxime Trottier
Since week two’s dramatic victory over Sherbrooke, the Gaiters’ football team has experienced more than its fair share of struggles. The week three UdM loss was followed by a 10-5 home loss to Concordia in a game that could only be described as purely bizarre. The Gaiters’ defence saw what is still, in my belief, their best performance of the year, allowing ten points, and only 3 in the game’s final 55 minutes. The same could not be said about the Gaiters’ offence, who, despite opportunities never quite got into the groove they needed. It was the unfortunate result of what Coach Nicolas called a poor week of preparation, and in a conference this strong, poor preparation is always punished.
Photo courtesy of Clara Neel
The two subsequent games weren’t any kinder to the Gaiters, seeing the Purple and Grey take double-digit losses to McGill and Sherbrooke respectively. Since their Week 1 win at Coulter, the Redbirds haven’t stepped off the gas. The path towards their best season in a decade has been paved by star running back Jerry Momo, who didn’t skip a beat in their second game against the Gaiters, rushing for 78 yards and a Touchdown as McGill cruised to a twenty-point victory.
At the Mayor Cup at UdS, the hungry Vert et Or finally found themselves in the win column, beating Bishop’s decisively, 29-14. This result had the Gaiters sitting at 1-5, tied three ways for last place in the ever- challenging RSEQ.
From my perspective, these losses are not reflective of a lack of effort, or even a lack of talent. The story of the season has been not being able to capitalize on the little idiosyncrasies that end up tilting the result of a football game. Football is a game of layers, and hiding behind the diving catches and the explosive 50-yard runs are penalties, red zone mistakes, and missed snaps that the Gaiters are yet to find a way to overcome.
The fact of the matter is, Bishop’s is playing an entirely different kind of football than they have been for the last eight years, and with that comes simple mistakes that can often only be repaired with time. So here we are at 1-5; what now? The good news is, the Gaiters aren’t alone in last place; Sherbrooke and Concordia are also fighting for the elusive last spot in the RSEQ playoffs.
For Bishop’s, the mission is simple: Victories in their final two games of the year are the best shot they have at a playoff berth. As usual, the mountain they will need to climb is extremely steep: They’ll have to get their revenge against the Concordia Stingers on the road, but not before facing the undefeated Laval Rouge et Or at home on Oct. 24. Since their victory against Montreal, Laval has been ranked number one in Canada and has effectively established themselves as the ultimate ‘Final Boss’ of U Sports football. Needless to say, these victories are going to be as challenging as they are necessary.
But nothing in the RSEQ, or in football in general for that matter, is easy. Still, confidence remains in the Gaiters locker room, as they face their new biggest challenge head-on.
