Linebacker Max Caron must love playing football at Coulter Field in Lennoxville, Que.
His efforts were instrumental in helping the Concordia Stingers defeat the Bishop’s Gaiters 25-18 in Quebec university football action on Saturday afternoon. Caron made seven solo tackles and had five assists. He was also involved in three turnovers. He forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked a punt that changed the momentum of the close game.
It was the second consecutive year he has played a pivotal role in his team’s victory over the Gaiters. On Sept. 4, 2010, Caron batted down a ball and clung to it for an interception in the Bishop’s end zone for a touchdown. That score in the third quarter gave the Stingers a 17-14 win.
Today’s victory improves the Stingers’ win-loss record to 1-1 and, since it is the only meeting between the two teams, it gives them the advantage over the Gaiters should the teams end up tied in the standings at the end of the season.
Bishop’s drew first blood with a passing touchdown halfway through the first quarter, but at the end of 15 minutes Concordia was in front 9-7. The Gaiters conceded a safety and Stinger punt returner Kris Robertson took one back 56 yards for a major.
In the second quarter Bishop’s notched a 31-yard field goal, but a rouge from Concordia kicker Keegan Treloar and another safety gave the Stingers a 12-10 lead at halftime.
Concordia pulled away in the third quarter when wide receiver Sanchez Deschamps scored on a 17-yard pass from quarterback Terrance Morsink. Treloar connected on a 25-yard field goal to give the Stingers a 22-10 lead.
The Gaiters fought back in the final frame, scoring another passing touchdown and adding a single, but Treloar came through again with a 22-yard field goal to wrap up the score at 25-18.
Concordia rolled up 311 yards of offence, and 183 yards came on the ground.
“We definitely got our running game going today,” said Deschamps who was the top receiver in the game with eight receptions. “It was a big improvement over last week and that allowed us to open up the passing game. We still have a lot of work to do, but this feels a little better.”
The Stingers return to the Loyola campus in Montreal to host the St. Francis Xavier X-Men at Concordia stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. It will be Concordia’s annual Homecoming game.
