Top-ranked Laval depth overwhelms Redbirds despite spirited push

QUEBEC CITY – For a brief stretch in the third quarter, the McGill Redbirds made the defending national champions sweat. But in the end, the nation's No. 1-ranked Laval Rouge et Or flexed their depth and efficiency, riding a dominant first half to a 37-15 victory before 16,077 fans at Stade TELUS-UL on Saturday night.

The Rouge et Or, opening their U SPORTS football campaign, built a 27-3 halftime cushion on the strength of quarterback Arnaud Desjardins, who picked apart the McGill secondary with surgical precision. The fourth-year pivot completed 25 of 28 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, hitting receivers Ismael Gaillardetz, Olivier Cool and Simon Potvin for majors. Desjardins was rested in the final quarter, giving way to understudy Victor Charland.

McGill's brightest moments came in the second half, with senior quarterback Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald refusing to let his team go quietly. Already the school's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, the 22-year-old showed why he's one of the most dynamic dual threats in the country. "ELR" racked up 104 yards on the ground, including a dazzling 55-yard scamper in the first quarter. It was the eighth time that he has rushed over the century mark in 26 career contests. He later connected with receiver Samuel Macieira on a 39-yard strike in the third for the Redbirds' lone touchdown. It was the first career TD for the fleet, 5-foot-8, 170-pound physical education freshman from Laval, Que. Maceira was one of six different targets used by McGill.

But Latendresse-Regimbald's legs out-performed his passing arm, as he completed only 12 of 33 attempts for 185 yards, one TD and no interceptions. 

Sophomore placekicker Mario Dellifraine also left his mark, splitting the uprights from 26 and 42 yards – surpassing his previous best of 39 set in 2024 – but had a 34-yard attempt blocked and was charged with a fumble while trying to recover a bad snap on a punting play at the McGill 11-yard line. That miscue resulted in a turnover leading to a Laval TD two plays later to put the Rouge et Or ahead 34-3.

Laval also capitalized on protection breakdowns that saw the Redbirds quarterback sacked eight times. Laval kicker Felipe Forteza was perfect on the night, nailing three field goals — from distances of 26, 31 and 33 yards — and converting all four extra points for a 13-point outing.

Gaillardetz (127 yards, one TD) and Cool (80 yards, one TD) were Desjardins' favourite targets, repeatedly moving the chains on second down. McGill's defence, led by sophomore linebacker Philippe Bouthot's nine total tackles (seven solos, four assisted), generated some pressure and even forced a turnover in the second quarter – Bouthot was also credited with one forced fumble and a fumble recovery – but Laval's quick-strike offence often had the answer.

The Rouge et Or generated 23 first downs and 374 net yards, compared to McGill's 19 and 353, respectively.

McGill's defence chipped in a fourth-quarter safety to cap the scoring. The Redbirds registered three quarterback sacks, with LB David Gauthier-Gonzalez earning the only solo  sack. The others were half-sacks shared by DE Frederic Beneteau and linebackers Ilan Barbaras, Thomas Cote and Mathis Pilon. The visitors lone interception was a pick returned nine yards by DB Jahnai-Taj Copeland-Lewis.

With the result, McGill dropped to 1-1 on the season, setting up a short week before a crucial rivalry clash against Concordia (0-1) on Sept. 5 at the Loyola campus. The Stingers, coming off a bye week, dropped their opener 41-14 to Montreal.

Laval (1-0) will remain home to host Sherbrooke (0-2) on Sept. 7 as they continue defence of last year's Vanier Cup championship.

REDBIRDS RAP: Among the lineup scratches for McGill was injured WR Darius Simmons, a four-time all-star and three-time All-Canadian... Also out was RB Brandon Ciccarello, who led the team in all-purpose yards in each of the last two seasons... McGill listed 23 freshmen among the 52 players who suited up against Laval, which was one more than the 22 first-year players in the season opener at Sherbrooke on Aug. 23, 2025. The school record is 26 rookies, set against Laval on Oct. 24, 2014. The team's other high rookie totals include 23 against Laval (Sept. 27, 2014), 23 against Bishop's (Oct. 9, 2014) and 21 versus Laval (Oct. 3, 2008).