by John Austen

The Concordia Stingers may have dominated the McGill Redmen for much of their Quebec Interuniversity Football Conference championship game last week, but it’s the final score that counts. More than 7,000 fans watched on Nov. 16 as the Redmen held on for a 10-6 win, advancing them into the national championship final four. McGill then proved no match for the Saskatchewan Hilltops, who coasted to a 22-0 win in the national semifinal last Saturday at Molson Stadium.

The McGill-Concordia clash was a sloppily played game with neither side able to generate any sustainable offence. The Stingers managed 20 first downs and 324 yards of net offence, while the Redmen had 13 first downs and 267 yards of offence.

One of the lone bright spots for Concordia was fourth-year running back Jean-Michel Paquette, who carried the ball 25 times for 185 yards. Linebacker Mickey Donovan also had a strong game, collecting 13 tackles in leading the Stinger defence. The key stat saw Concordia give up five turnovers, while McGill gave up just one.

Coach Gerry McGrath and the Stingers finished the regular season with a 4-4- record and a 1-1- record in the playoffs. The Stingers had defeated the powerful Rouge et Or from Laval 29-21 in the conference semifinal Nov. 2, reaching the league championship for the first time since 1998.

Athletes of the week
Jean-Michel Paquette of the football team and Jessica Anderson of the women’s hockey team were named Concordia Stinger athletes of the week.

Anderson, a second-year history major from Beaconsfield, was in goal when the Stingers beat the Ottawa Gee-Gees 4-1 in recent action. She made 24 of 25 saves, including many key stops, to help keep her team in the game.

Paquette was his team’s best player in the loss to McGill. He rushed for 185 yards on 25 carries, as well as gaining 23 yards on punt returns, giving him more than 200 all-purpose yards. The St. Louis de France, Que., native is a fourth-year administration major.

Aiken nominated for Russ Jackson Award
David Aiken, a fifth-year safety, has been chosen as the Quebec Interuniversity Football conference nominee for the presigious Russ Jackson Award.

The Jackson Award is presented annually to the player best exemplifying the attributes of academic achievement, football skill and citizenship. The award in named in honour of CFL Hall of Famer and Ottawa Rough Rider quarterback Russ Jackson.

Four nominees, representing the four regions of Canada, will be considered by a panel of coaches from actoss the country. The winner will be honoured at a gala in Toronto this weekend during Vanier Cup celebrations.

Aikens, a finance major, had a 3.5 GPA last semester, and plans to pursue a master of science in finance when he graduates this December.

Hoopsters lose in Ste. Foy
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams lost their league openers at Université Laval last Saturday. The men were dumped 93-83 in a high-scoring affair, while the women were trounced 85-36.

Both teams look for better luck when they return to Concodia Gym this Friday night to face crosstown rival McGill. The Lady Stingers take on the Martlets at 6 p.m., while the men take on the Redmen at 8 p.m.
John Austen