THE LOW-DOWN
The #2-ranked Golden Hawks lifted their second Uteck Bowl in program history and head east to Kingston, Ont. to meet the #3 Laval Rouge et Or in the 59th Vanier Cup.
 
It's the sixth Vanier Cup appearance for Laurier, having lost in 1966, 1968, and 1972 as Waterloo Lutheran and winning in both 1991 and 2005.
 
The Golden Hawks cruised to victory over the #6 Bishop's Gaiters thanks in part to a massive 24-point second quarter, winning 48-24. Laval narrowly defeated the unranked Regina Rams in the Mitchell Bowl, relying on a last-minute touchdown to win 17-14.
 
HEAD-TO-HEAD
While the programs have never played each other in a national championship game, they met in the 2004 and 2016 Uteck Bowls with Laval coming out on top both times, en route to winning the Vanier Cup.
 
The Rouge et Or's defence has been key to their success in the postseason. They are allowing the third fewest points per game, sixth fewest passing yards, and sit first at stopping the run. The Laurier defence is seated lower, but don't let the statistics sheet fool you, the Golden Hawks hit squad have been locked in all year and are top tier.
 
Despite Laval's solid defence, the Golden Hawks have the country's top offence led by Hec Crighton winner Taylor Elgersma, that picked apart the Gaiters' defence who were the best in U SPORTS.
 
There is also history on the sidelines. Laval's long-time bench boss Glen Constantin met Laurier's Michael Faulds in the 2016 Uteck Bowl, and Faulds, as Western's quarterback, lost to Constantin's Rouge et Or in the 2008 Vanier Cup.
 
SATURDAY STORYLINES
Laurier Golden Hawks
Two trophies down, the most prestigious is four quarters away. Elgersma said it best after the Uteck Bowl victory: "1-0 one more time gives us a national championship."
 
The Golden Hawks are making their sixth Vanier Cup appearance in the program's 63-year history and are determined to lift their third national title, the last time came in the golden year of 2005. The odds are slightly against their favour with a 2-3 Vanier Cup record and are 0-2 against Laval.
 
To go 1-0 this weekend, all fronts must play perfect football against a heavily decorated Laval side.
 
Laval Rouge et Or
The Rouge et Or are looking to get back into form coming off of their win over Regina, which was too close for comfort. Laval was shut out in not one, but two quarters for the first time in this year's playoffs.
 
The RESQ's top-dog is no stranger to the Vanier Cup spotlight, making their 14th appearance this weekend.
 
Laval won their first national championship in 1999, and since then with Constantin at the helm have the most Vanier Cup wins in U SPORTS with 11, the last coming in 2022.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Laurier Golden Hawks
OFFENCE
#3 – Ryan Hughes and #13 – Taylor Elgersma
The Elgersma-Hughes duo has been lethal this postseason. Elgersma has thrown for 1,106-yards and 12 touchdowns through three games, and showed why he is a two-time OUA MVP against Bishop's with 452-yards and five touchdowns.
 
Hughes is shining with 377 receiving yards and five touchdowns, 212-yards and three touchdowns coming in the Uteck Bowl. The duo has an opportunity to take advantage of this Laval team that can be vulnerable through the air.
 
DEFENCE
#25 – Johari Hastings and #55 – Matteo Laquintana
Hastings was named the Uteck Bowl's defensive MVP with a team high five tackles and one interception. Through three games, Hastings has been a tackling machine, totalling 14.5, 12 of those are solo.
 
Laquintana is a staple on the defensive line, collecting 4.5 tackles and two sacks worth 12-yards against Bishop's. He has four sacks thus far, and can add to that total as Laval's quarterback has been taken down five times in three games.
 
Laval Rouge et Or
OFFENCE
#81 – Olivier Cool
Cool was named to the RESQ's offensive all-star team, and his playoff performance has matched. He is Laval's go-to receiver totalling 319-yards and three touchdowns, with 145-yards and a major against Regina.
 
DEFENCE
#51 – Loic Brodeur
Through three games, Brodeur has seven tackles, 2.5 sacks resulting in 21 lost yards, and one forced fumble. He has his best game against their rivals Montreal, with the Rouge et Or needing him to be impactful this weekend.
 
WHERE TO WATCH
The 59th Vanier Cup will be broadcasted on CBC TV and Gem, CBCSports.ca, and a watch party is happening at Wilf's on Laurier's campus, with live updates available on X at @WLUAthletics.