Concordia return specialist Kris Robertson took a punt back 62 yards for a crucial touchdown that sealed a 34-29 victory over the McGill Redmen in the 42 annual Shaughnessy Cup game at Molson stadium in Montreal on Friday night.
The Pickering, Ont. native’s heroics came with 2:23 left to play and gave Concordia the lead for the first time in a tumultuous affair that saw the Stingers trail by as much as 15 points earlier in the game.
“I took a couple of steps to the right, made a hard cut left and saw a lane,” said Robertson who also plays cornerback for the Stingers. “I said to myself, ‘This is a touchdown.’ It felt great. My team needed it and I had to get it done.”
Despite the spectacular touchdown, Robertson and the Stingers needed some help to hang on to the victory.
McGill took possession of the ball with the score 34-29 and 47 seconds left to play. The Redmen drove down the field quickly and were on Concordia’s one-yard line. They had three chances to punch it in for the victory, but penalties and strong defence, including a game-ending interception by the Stingers’ Kyle Smith, shut them down.
With the victory, Concordia’s win-loss record improves to 2-1, while McGill falls to 0-3.
Statistically, the teams were close. Quarterback Terrance Morsink, playing for injured starter Rob Mackay, orchestrated an offence that rolled up 19 first downs and 384 yards. He completed 24 of 42 passes for 317 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. His favorite target was slotback Liam Mahoney who caught nine passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.
McGill had 20 first downs and 322 yards of offence. Pivot Ryne Bondy connected on 17 of 36 passes for 205 yards and two interceptions.
McGill success was largely due to special teams. Kicker Austin Anderson was successful on six of eight field goal attempts, while Jeffrey Thompson had 236 yards in returns, including a 101-yard touchdown sprint on the opening kickoff.
Concordia’s young defence played well. It did not allow a touchdown. Middle linebacker Max Caron led all tacklers in the game. He had six solos and one assist. His numbers include a sack and two tackles for losses. He also forced a key fumble with less than five minutes to play. Linebacker Paul Spencer picked up 5.5 tackles and recovered the McGill fumble. Alexandre Lemire had five total tackles.
The Stingers return to Concordia stadium for Homecoming next Saturday. The Bishop’s Gaiters will be the visitors. It will be the second clash between the teams this season. On Sept. 4, Concordia defeated Bishop’s 17-14 in Lennoxville, Que.
