Don’t ever leave the stadium early when the Concordia Stingers football team is playing.
With eight minutes left in regulation, the Stingers trailed the McGill Redbirds 33-11 in the 52nd annual Shaughnessy Cup game at Molson Stadium on Friday night. With 30 seconds left on the clock, Concordia tied the game and then veteran kicker Andrew Stevens connected on a 21-yard field goal to give the Stingers a 36-33 overtime victory.
Concordia also pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind 31-28 victory over the Montréal Carabins a week earlier. In that game the Stingers trailed 17-0 after the first quarter and took the lead with just under three minutes to play in the game.
“We showed we are resilient again,” said head coach Brad Collinson. “We came out flat and McGill came out with a lot of energy and passion. But this is a no-quit team. The players believe in themselves.
“It’s like the Rocky 3 movie. You’re beat up, but you keep going. You carry on.”
Quarterback Olivier Roy was a driving force in the victory. He threw three touchdown strikes in the last eight minutes and ran the ball in for a two-point convert that tied the game at 33.
“Once again the calm and composure of Olivier Roy impressed me,” said Collinson.
Roy, a third-year star from Donnacona, Que., completed 18 of 29 passes for 299 yards with one interception and four touchdowns. Over the last two games he’s completed 45 of 64 passes (71.4 %) for 622 yards, eight TDs and one interception.
The Cégep de la Pocatière graduate led an offensive that rolled up 26 first downs and 397 yards. His favorite targets were 2019 U Sports Rookie of the Year Jeremy Murphy who had seven catches for 62 yards and the monumental touchdown with 30 seconds left in the game. Murphy now has three majors in two games.
Also emerging as a key target is rookie Jaylan Greaves. Roy and the freshman combined on a 50-yard touchdown play in the third quarter to keep the Stingers in the game. He caught three passes for 75 yards and the TD. He also scored in the victory over Montréal. That came on a 37-yard play.
“Twice Jaylan has made big plays and scored touchdowns when we really need them,” said Collinson. “His passion and love for football is infectious.”
On the other side of the ball, defensive halfback Derek Achaempong was a leader again. He led all Stingers with four solo tackles and two assists. He had a key tackle for a loss, pushing McGill back 13 yards in the overtime period.
The Stingers return home to host the Sherbrooke Vert & Or on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. Tickets are limited and available online only.
