Redbirds Open Season with Record-Breaking Win Over Vert & Or
It was a big night under the lights in Montreal as the McGill Redbirds kicked off their RSEQ football season with a decisive 38–22 victory over the Sherbrooke Vert & Or. The spotlight, without a doubt, was on quarterback Eloa Latendresse-Régimbald, who didn’t just lead his team to victory but also etched his name into the history books. By scoring his 26th career touchdown, he broke a record that had stood since 1978, surpassing Thomas Barbot’s long-standing mark of 25.
Latendresse-Régimbald wasted no time setting the tone. In the first half alone, he accounted for three majors—two on the ground and one through the air—giving the Redbirds a comfortable 21–8 lead by halftime. From there, the momentum never really left McGill’s side. His opening touchdown pass to Fabien Turcotte not only put points on the board but also sparked the energy the Redbirds needed to control the pace of the game.
On the opposite sideline, things weren’t as smooth for Sherbrooke. Quarterback Samuel Goulet-Ménard, making just his second career start, struggled to find rhythm. He threw three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown by McGill’s Mathis Pilon in the third quarter. Eventually, he was replaced by Jérémy Fyfe, last year’s starter, who managed to salvage some pride with a late rushing touchdown. But by then, the gap was too wide to close.
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McGill also had another star emerge in the form of freshman running back Jerry Momo. Known as one of the most sought-after recruits in Quebec, he showed why the hype was justified. His explosive 81-yard touchdown run in the second half electrified the crowd and proved that he’s going to be a major offensive weapon this season.
Sherbrooke did have some positives to take away. Their special teams unit was impressive, blocking three field goal attempts—one of which was returned for a touchdown by Théo Deslongchamps. They also recovered an onside kick that set up another score. But those sparks couldn’t offset the offensive struggles and defensive breakdowns that plagued them throughout the game.
The physical nature of the matchup was also felt. Key Sherbrooke defenders, including Edward Boivin and Emrick Charron, were unable to finish the game due to injuries, something that could have serious implications for the weeks ahead.
After the final whistle, Redbirds head coach Alex Surprenant praised his young squad, which includes 22 rookies on the 52-man roster. He admitted there were mistakes, as expected in a season opener, but emphasized that learning from a win is always better than learning from a loss. For Sherbrooke, head coach Kevin Régimbald acknowledged the tough start, explaining that his team is still learning to mesh at the university level.
In the end, the night belonged to McGill—a record-setting quarterback, a breakout rookie, and a convincing first win. Next week, Sherbrooke will try to bounce back against the powerhouse Carabins from Université de Montréal, while McGill faces another big test against Laval. One thing is clear already: this RSEQ football season is going to be a battle every single week.
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