RSEQ Championship Preview: Experience vs. Emergence, Legacy vs. Transition
Via Carabins/Instagram
For the 12th straight season, the Laval Rouge et Or and Montréal Carabins will meet in the RSEQ Championship, now renamed the Jacques-Dussault Cup.
The last time the conference final didn’t feature these two? 2012, when Laval defeated Sherbrooke. Since then, they’ve built an empire of excellence — a two-team dynasty that’s defined the province and dominated the national conversation. Laval has now appeared in 22 consecutive conference finals, while Montréal has built its own legacy as the only true rival capable of challenging the Rouge et Or’s throne.
The stakes? Simple. The winner of this matchup has gone on to win each of the last three Vanier Cups.
🧠 Quarterback Comparison: Experience vs. Emergence
Few storylines in Canadian football compare to this one — Arnaud Desjardins vs. Pepe Gonzalez.
On one sideline stands Desjardins, Laval’s senior quarterback, already a two-time Vanier Cup champion (2022, 2024). He’s the all-time passing leader in program history, a muit-time RSEQ All-Star, and widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever wear the red and gold.
With a chance to become the first QB in U SPORTS history to win three Vanier Cups, Desjardins represents composure, efficiency, and legacy.
This season, Desjardins has been methodical — 1,873 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions, completing 75.6% of his passes — the highest mark in the country.
On the other sideline, a new star has risen. Pepe Gonzalez, Montréal’s rookie quarterback, inherited an almost impossible task: replacing Jonathan Sénécal, the 2023 Hec Crighton winner, Vanier Cup champion, and the first Carabins QB to play in the CFL.
Yet somehow, Gonzalez didn’t just handle the pressure — he thrived under it.
He’s already set a new program record for passing touchdowns in a single season (19), breaking Sénécal’s own mark. He’s thrown for 2,284 yards, completing 66.5% of his passes, while showing remarkable poise for a first-year starter.
Desjardins represents the final chapter of a storied career, while Gonzalez is the prologue of Montréal’s next era.
⚙️ Offensive Breakdown
Montréal’s offence has been explosive all season, ranking 1st in the RSEQ and 4th in U SPORTS in passing at 317.4 yards per game. That number alone speaks volumes — this unit is built to air it out.
With all-star receivers Hassane Dosso and Enrique Jaime Leclair, the Carabins have a dynamic passing duo that stretches the field vertically and attacks defensive backs in space. Their offensive structure mirrors the confidence of their young QB — aggressive, modern, and unafraid to take risks.
But there’s a notable imbalance. Montréal’s rushing attack sits near the bottom half of the country, ranking 15th in U SPORTS (124.4 YPG).
Laval’s offence, meanwhile, is built differently. It’s not flashy — it’s disciplined. Desjardins’ surgical passing style keeps the offence in rhythm, while the run game, led by RSEQ All-Star RB Mathieu Roy, provides balance. Laval averages 162.9 rushing yards per game (10th in U SPORTS) and 276.5 through the air (12th in U SPORTS) in a passing attack headlined by All-Star receivers Olivier Cool and Isaac Gaillardetz .
While Montréal relies on explosive plays, Laval wins with sustained drives and clock control — a classic clash of philosophies.
🧱 Defensive Breakdown
Defence has always been the identity of both programs — and this year is no different.
Statistically, Laval’s defence is the most dominant in the conference. Led by All-Stars Yoann Miangue (DL), Justin Cloutier (LB), Jacob Jinchereau (DL), and Jordan Lessard (DB), the allow just 13.8 points per game, the lowest in the RSEQ and third-best in the country. Their front seven is ferocious, surrendering only 89.5 rushing yards per game, second nationally behind Regina. This unit thrives on closing gaps early and forcing opponents into predictable passing situations.
Montréal’s defence isn’t far behind. Led by All-stars Gabriel Maisonneuve (DL), Carles-Elliot Bouianne (LB), Louis-Phillipe Gautheier (DB), and Elijah Cramaix (DB), the lead the conference in shutting down the pass, giving up just 204.9 yards per game through the air, and they’ve been excellent at limiting big plays. Their overall defensive average — 16.0 points allowed per game — ranks fourth in the country.
The Carabins’ ability to disguise coverage and force turnovers could be the deciding factor against a veteran quarterback like Desjardins. Conversely, Laval’s front seven will test Gonzalez’s composure — and his willingness to stay patient when pressured.
🔢 Scoring and Efficiency
Both programs know how to light up the scoreboard — but in different ways.
Montréal averages 35.0 points per game, ranking first in the RSEQ and fourth in U SPORTS, driven by 33 touchdowns and 10 field goals this season. They score fast and often — a testament to their vertical passing attack and explosive playmakers.
Laval, on the other hand, is slightly more methodical. They average 29.5 points per game, second in the RSEQ and tied for 8th nationally, scoring 26 touchdowns and 12 field goals. The Rouge et Or favour sustained possessions and red-zone consistency over high-risk plays — a reflection of their veteran identity
🏁 Season Series Recap
These two teams have already given fans a preview of what’s to come — and both games told completely different stories.
September 12 — Montréal 38, Laval 28
Gonzalez outdueled Desjardins in their first meeting, throwing for 344 yards and 2 TDs on 25-of-33 passing. The Carabins’ offence was near unstoppable, while Desjardins (309 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) kept Laval within striking distance.
October 19 — Laval 16, Montréal 6
A defensive masterpiece. Desjardins completed 22-of-29 passes for 223 yards, while Gonzalez struggled mightily — 23-of-42, 261 yards, 1 TD, and 4 INTs. Laval controlled the pace, turning the tables in front of 21,000 fans at PEPS Stadium.
Each team has proven they can win against the other. But when everything’s on the line, consistency and composure tend to outweigh explosiveness.
🧩 The Final Word
For over a decade, Laval vs. Montréal has been more than a rivalry — it’s been a defining fixture in Canadian football.
This year, it’s experience vs. emergence, Desjardins vs. Gonzalez, and legacy vs. transition.
Laval is chasing another chapter in its dynasty. Montréal is chasing validation — proof that even in a new era, the Carabins are still elite.
So — who you got??