CIS football Sunday roundup: Gaiters run over by Rouge et Or

Source: Bishop's Sports Info / Photo credit Yan Doublet

QUEBEC CITY – The Bishop’s Gaiters football squad traveled to Quebec City on Sunday to face the No. 3 Laval Rouge et Or. The host scored early and often on the dreary day and went onto win 57-7.

Laval scored on the opening possession of the day and did not look back.  Bishop’s quarterback Jordan Heather (Oromocto, New Brunswick) was intercepted on the ensuing possession. The Rouge et Or took advantage as they scored a touchdown and held a quick 14-0 lead. The hosts added a field goal and another major before the first quarter ended and took a 24-0 lead into the second.

The purple and white went to Shane McDonald (Uxbridge, Ontario) at quarterback but the story remained the same.  Laval put up 23 second quarter points and held the Gaiters scoreless.  At the break the nation’s third ranked team was leading 47-0.

Bishop’s took the second half kickoff and marched 80 yards capped off with a Ryon McCalla (Brampton, Ontario) one yard touchdown rush.  McCalla finished the day with 11 rushes for 62 yards and the major.  McCalla also returned five kickoffs for 89 yards.  With that total he set an RSEQ record for kickoff return yards in a season with 543. 

Laval answered the McCalla score with a touchdown of their own.  They also added a field goal before the third quarter came to a close.  There was no scoring in the fourth and Laval won by a final score of 57-7. 

The Gaiters still control their own playoff destiny thanks to the No. 4 Montreal Carabins beating the McGill Redmen on Saturday.  The Carabins visit Coulter Field next Saturday, October 27.  With a win the Gaiters will clinch the fourth and final playoff spot and either a re-match with Laval or a first round match-up with the Carabins.  Laval will control that outcome as with a win against the Concordia Stingers in the final week they will lock up first place.  The Gaiters can also get into the playoffs if the Sherbrooke Vert et Or beat the Redmen on Saturday. All three games will take place at 1 p.m. The Vert et Or have locked up third spot in the playoffs and cannot move up or down.

Bishop’s crucial final home game will kick-off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 27.  There will be a Halloween tailgate party in the parking lot starting at 10:45 a.m. as the Gaiters look to Pack the Stadium with supporters.

Game Notes: McDonald finished up as the Gaiters top passer, he went 11-19 for 157 yards...Heather was 7-17 for 93 yards and an interception...Quarterback Marc-Philippe Aubuchon (Quebec City) saw his first CIS action as he completed his only pass and rushed for five yards...Laval outgained the Gaiters 558-369 yards including a 385-125 margin on the ground...Bishop’s David Haddrall (Kingston, Ontario) led all receivers with six catches for 114 yards.