According to Gregory Strong of the Canadian Press on Saturday, the Laval Rouge et Or have won the 2024 Vanier Cup. They defeated the University of Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 22-17 at Richardson Memorial Stadium in Kingston, Ontario.
The game will be best remembered for the six field goals kicked by Felipe Forteza of Quebec City, Quebec. Forteza set a Vanier Cup record for most field goals in a Canadian USport championship football game. He made two field goals from 18 yards. His other field goals came from 15 yards, 35 yards, 32 yards, 42 yards. Forteza also became the first kicker ever to win the Ted Morris Trophy, presented to the Vanier Cup most valuable player.
In addition to the six field goals, the Rouge et Or recorded their other four points on two safeties. This is the first time since 2004 that the Vanier Cup champion won the game without scoring a touchdown. Two decades ago the Rouge et Or beat the Saskatchewan Huskies 7-1 on one field goal, one safety and two rouges.
It was the second straight Vanier Cup at Queen’s University in Kingston. Last year, the University of Montreal Carabins beat the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 16-9.
This is the 12th Vanier Cup for the Rouge et Or. They previously won in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2022. For all 12 Vanier Cup titles for Laval, Glen Constantin of Quebec City has been the head coach.
