Late field goal propels Quebec to bronze against Alberta

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A late minute field goal helped Quebec capture bronze with a 22-19 win against Alberta at the 2014 Football Canada Cup at the University of Saskatchewan’s Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

After meeting in the previous three gold medal games, Quebec and Alberta 2014 marked the 4^th consecutive year the teams would square off on the final day of competition.

Quebec led 17-0 at the end of the first quarter following a John Molson field goal, a 20-yard Samuel Makwanda touchdown run and a Mathieu Blanchette receiving touchdown from quarterback Zacharie Quiviger.

Alberta replied early in the second quarter with a 1-yard Alex Basilis quarterback sneak to inch closer 17-10.

Following the score Quebec received great starting field position at the Alberta 35-yard line. Alberta’s defense stepping up forcing a turnover as Alberta defensive lineman Anthony Hume intercepted a batted pass at the line to stop the Quebec attack in its tracks. Alberta was unable to capitalize on the turnover as Quebec’s defense stood strong, forcing a punt with a minute to play in the opening half.

To end the third quarter, following a conceded Alberta safety earlier in the quarter, Alex Basilis recovered his own punt at the Quebec 32-yard line to give Alberta a fresh set of downs. Alberta took advantage as kicker, Des Catallier nailed a 30-yard field goal to narrow the Quebec deficit to 3 points, 19-16.

A second Catallier field goal tied the game up at 19 with 4 minutes to play.

Zacharie Quiviger connected with a receiver François Rocheleau who made a spectacular 20-yard reception to set up a Quebec first and goal at the 5-yard line. With 1:10 to play in the bronze medal game John Molson kicked a 13-yard field goal to give Quebec a 22-19 lead.

With the clock winding down, Alberta tried to respond. With under a minute to play, a pass interference penalty against Quebec gave Alberta a 1^st down at the Quebec 43-yard line. Following a stifling Quebec blitz set-up a 2^nd and 24, Basilis threw over the middle and was intercepted by defensive back John Molson to seal the Quebec victory.

Alberta head coach Bryan Brandford came into the game expecting a tight finish but was disappointed about the outcome.

“It was exciting game, our kids fought hard and we played really well. The bounces don’t always go your way.”

“We got down early, our kids fought back and we made an exciting game of it. Any time there’s a tie at the end of the game it’s going to be exciting for all the fans and players – we knew it was going to be tight. We came up a little short but we real proud of our Alberta players.”

“We started off strong and our kids started getting a bit too comfortable, said Quebec head coach Pat Boies.

“It was a tight, tight game and wind played a big factor. It was a hell of a throw at the end of the game [Quiviger to Rocheleau] to get us in field goal position and that sealed it. We came here for something else but we are very satisfied to finish on a positive note.”

Bronze medal game MVPs

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