How Concordia could win
Quite simply, by doing what they did last week. Concordia not only ran the football down the throats of the Vert et Or in the driving rain (313 yards worth), but they stopped the dynamic duo of running backs Pascal Fils and Joseph Mroué and forced Sherbrooke to throw the ball.
Of course, the weather played a factor. If the weather is not as bad, as it’s expected to be, things could change. Also, with Mroué expected to be out after suffering what looked to be a pretty serious leg injury, it eliminates the dual-threat Fils and Mroué presented.
Concordia’s offensive line did a fantastic job last week, and how they do this week will go a long way in seeing who will go on.
How Sherbrooke could win
Stop the run. Statistics show that by forcing Liam Mahoney to throw the ball, they increase their chance of winning. In games where Mahoney has thrown the ball 25 times or more, the Stingers are 0-3 this season. When Mahoney has thrown less than 25 times, the Stingers are 5-0. Offensively, Sherbrooke needs to step up. They have only scored three points in each of their last two games against Laval and Concordia.
Jean-Philippe Shoiry had over 250 yards passing last Saturday but most of those were late in the game when Concordia’s lead was safe. He also fumbled the ball and was intercepted three times. Sherbrooke will have to do a better job of protecting the football as well.
Quick Hits
– Joseph Mroué broke the Quebec conference rushing record for yards over a career in four years at the Université de Montréal. He came back for a fifth year with Sherbrooke, but left the game against Concordia while being carried off by his teammates.
– Concordia special teams have a distinct advantage over Sherbrooke’s. Kicker Rene Parades is one of the top-five kickers in Canada, while Tony Testa averages over 13 yards per punt return.
– The Stingers have a banged up front seven with injuries to defensive lineman Maurice Forbes and linebacker Nathan Agadzi. Jean-Philippe Binette and Kamil Thompson-Hutchinson are filling in and show the depth Concordia has at those positions.
– Liam Mahoney has been sacked 16 times in eight games this season, and one of Concordia’s offensive linemen left Saturday’s game early with an injury. Sherbrooke defensive linemen Domenic Biron and Steven Bellemare have a combined 8.5 sacks in eight games this season.
– Sherbrooke slotback Alex Beaudoin has 18 catches for 241 yards this season. He had eight catches for 115 yards last week against Concordia.
– Concordia has six receivers who average over 10 yards per catch – Cory Watson, Sanchez Deschamps, Dan Rodrigues, Tony Testa, Blake Butler and Michael Donnelly. Corey Greenaway averages 9.8 yards per catch.
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