by John Austen

The Concordia Stingers football team has a new secret agent. The name is Bond. Jon Bond.

Six-foot-six, the 225-pound quarterback from Plymouth, Mass., is already making a name for himself in his first year of Canadian university football. Bond is a big reason why the Stingers posted two wins in their first three games this season to sit atop the QIFC conference, tied with the Laval Rouge et Or. He is the league’s leading passer heading into the season’s fourth week.

The Stingers scored early and often last Saturday, as they dumped the Bishop’s Gaiters 46-4 at Concordia Stadium. Bond was 11 for 17 for 213 yards. He threw touchdown passes of 52, 27, 37 and eight yards before being replaced by veteran Hugo Fortier in the second half.

“We are in the fortunate situation of having a couple of really good quarterbacks,” said head coach Gerry McGrath. “They complement each other.”

Bond was happy with Saturday’s result. “It came together [against Bishop’s],” he said. “The offence was good today, and so was the defence.”

Fortier opened the season as starting quarterback for the Stingers when they played the Université de Montréal on Aug. 28. After failing to generate much offence against the expansion Carabins, Bond took over and the Stingers rolled to an easy victory.

“I know I can be a starter in this league,” Fortier said. “I got into eight games during my first two seasons. I’ve learned the system, I know the team and I’m ready mentally to do this. We should have a tremendous squad this year.”

McGrath also praised Fortier. “Hugo is a real student of the game and a good passer,” he said. “He also has a knack for getting himself out of trouble.”

The Stingers were playing their third game in 11 days when they took on the Gaiters, but they showed no fatigue. In less than two minutes, Concordia scored all the points they would need. Runningback Jean-Michel Paquette returned the opening kickoff 76 yards. Two plays later, he ran the ball into the end zone.

Other offensive stars for the Stingers included Ben Ouimet and Richard Marin. Concordia’s defence did the rest, as the Gaiters could only muster a pair of rouges and a safety.

The Stingers’ next game is Saturday afternoon, whent they take on Acadia at Concordia Stadium in the first week of interlocking conference play.