Concordia quarterback Trenton Miller and the Stingers outplayed the No. 4-ranked Montréal Carabins in just about every aspect of a 41-29 loss except on special teams.
Two special team miscues in the fourth quarter cost the Stingers 14 points and ultimately the win against the defending Vanier Cup champions.
At 4:20 of the final quarter, Montreal’s Félix Ménard-Brière recovered his own punt on the Concordia two-yard line, and running back Sean Thomas Erlington carried it in from there for a touchdown.
Then there was a kick-return fumble at 4:46 that gave the Carabins the ball on the Stingers’ 15-yard line. Shortly afterwards, quarterback Gabriel Cousineau scored on a one-yard keeper to take advantage of the turnover.
“We outplayed them on offence and defence, just not on special teams,” said Concordia head coach Mickey Donovan who had mixed feelings after the loss. “As a coach things like this kill you, but we’re so young we know these things are going to happen.
“I’m upset we lost, but I thought our kids put on a good show and put up a good fight.”
Miller orchestrated an exceptional offensive game. His Stingers rolled up 32 first downs, 405 yards of offence and scored four touchdowns.
The last time the Stingers scored a major on the Carabins was in 2012. The last time a Concordia team scored 29 points on Montreal was Nov. 1, 2003 in a 35-8 semifinal win.
Miller completed 34 of 48 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. He threw just one interception. He also carried the ball three times for 21 yards and took over punting duties when Keegan Treloar left the game in the first half. He had four punts for 146 yards and a 36.5 average.
“Obviously I’m pleased with Trenton’s play,” Donovan said. “As far as I’m concerned he out did the Montreal quarterback who was a Hec Crighton nominee last year.”
Miller’s favorite targets were slotback Daniel Skube who caught 13 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns and rookie running back Jean-Guy Rimpel who had five receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a pass for a two-point convert.
Cousineau and Montreal countered with 27 first downs and 329 yards of offence. They were very adept at converting turnovers to points. They put 28 points on the board as the result of three fumbles and one interception.
The Stingers’ win-loss record falls to 2-2, while the Carabins improve to 3-1. Concordia will travel to Quebec City to face the Laval Rouge et Or next Sunday.
