The Concordia Stingers lost a tough, physical battle 51-0 to the No. 1-ranked Laval Rouge et Or in their Quebec University Football League opener in Ste. Foy, Que. on Sunday afternoon.
At the end of the first quarter the score was 0-0, but after that it was all down hill. Stinger veterans were dropping with injuries left and right, and the Rouge et Or were picking up momentum on every play. It was 21-0 by halftime.
When all was said and done, Concordia had 15 first downs and a total offence of 233 yards – 240 passing and minus-7 rushing. Laval rolled up 26 first downs and 357 yards of offence – 78 on the ground and 279 in the air.
Rob Mackay was the Concordia quarterback. He played his first game after almost two years on the sidelines with injury problems. He completed 17 of 39 passes for 240 yards. He threw three interceptions and was sacked three times.
Mackay’s favorite targets were Liam Mahoney who caught four passes for 57 yards and Cory Watson who hauled in four passes for 46 yards.
Mahoney was a bright spot in the game – his first ever as a receiver. He took over the Stingers’ quarterbacking duties in 2007 and ’08 while Mackay was sidelined. With the veteran back in the saddle, Mahoney moved to the receiving corps and took on kick- and punt-return duties. Mahoney had 161 all-purpose yards in the game – the 57 receiving and 104 on returns.
On defence, middle linebacker Cory Greenwood stood out. He led all tacklers in the game with five solos and six assists. Also at linebacker, Jahmall Rickman made a name for himself in his Concordia debut. The transfer student from University of Windsor counts two sacks among his six total tackles.
The Stingers have a week to regroup before hosting the Montréal Carabins in their home-opener at Concordia Stadium this Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
