The long-awaited clash between the No. 5-ranked Concordia Stingers and the No. 1-ranked Laval Rouge et Or lived up to its billing and then some.
The Rouge et Or scored a come-from-behind 21-18 overtime victory before 14,128 fans at PEPS stadium in Ste. Foy, Que. yesterday afternoon.
It was all Concordia in the early going, as the Stingers enjoyed a 15-7 halftime lead on a two-yard touchdown run from Andrew Hamilton and two Warren Kean field goals – 31 and 17 yards.
The tide changed in the last quarter when Laval put 11 points on the board, taking an 18-15 lead. A Matthew Leblanc receiving touchdown at 7:16 tied the game, and a Cameron Takacs field goal with 1:04 left to play gave the Rouge et Or the advantage.
The Stingers marched back and Kean connected on a 44-yard field goal with 14 seconds left to tie the game and force an overtime shootout.
In extra time, Concordia had the first crack at scoring but did not put any points on the board. When Laval took over, Takacs kicked a 23-yard field goal to win the game.
Overall, Laval rolled up 460 yards of offence, while Concordia had 309 yards.
Hamilton was the leading rusher in the game with 17 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. He had 185 all-purpose yards. He also caught five passes for 83 yards and returned a kick 27 yards.
Defensively, rookie linebacker Cory Greenwood with six tackles, Sammy Okpro with 5.5 tackles and Darnell Danglade with 5.5 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, were outstanding.
The Stingers (5-1) will host the Saint Mary's Huskies (2-3) on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Concordia Stadium. The game will be Web cast at www.stingers.ca.
