Glen Constantin Urges Laval Rouge et Or to Avoid Overconfidence

UPDATE: Following a decisive 37-15 victory against the McGill Redbirds, Université Laval’s head coach Glen Constantin is sending a strong message to his Rouge et Or players: avoid overconfidence as they prepare for their next match. Just announced, Constantin emphasized the importance of maintaining intensity and focus during practice, highlighting areas for improvement that could be crucial moving forward.

The Laval team surged ahead to a commanding 27-3 lead in the first half, but their performance waned after halftime. Constantin insists that to compete at a high level, his players must strive for excellence throughout the entire game. “You have to want to excel for the whole game, not half of it,” he stated, underscoring the need for consistent effort.

Every unit on the team has specific homework to address. The defense is called to enhance their pursuit and tackling skills, while the offense needs to improve ground efficiency. Additionally, discipline on special teams is critical after incurring multiple penalties that cost the team points. Constantin pointed out that two fouls and a turnover allowed McGill to score 12 of their 15 points.

Players echoed their coach’s sentiments. Winger Isaac Gaillardetz and tackle Yoann Miangué stressed that the team must uphold its standards, regardless of the opponent. “We have to prepare every week as if we were going to play in the Vanier Cup,” Miangué remarked, showcasing the team’s commitment to excellence.

Next up for Laval is a match against Sherbrooke, a team that has struggled this season and has never won at PEPS Stadium. Despite Sherbrooke’s poor track record, Constantin remains cautious. “The Vert & Or are better than their results. They have good carriers and returning offensive linemen,” he warned, indicating that underestimating their rivals could be a mistake.

In team news, it was confirmed that linebacker Arnaud Laporte will miss one game due to suspension, with Benjamin Nadon stepping in to fill his role.

With the next game approaching, all eyes will be on how the Rouge et Or respond to their coach’s call for improvement and whether they can carry their momentum forward.

Stay tuned as Laval aims to maintain its strong performance while navigating the challenges ahead.