With Queens leading 19-13 in the third quarter of Saturdays Mitchell Bowl, Laval lined up for a field goal that could have brought the Rouge et Or to within three points.

Instead, Laval missed the kick, Queens defensive back Jimmy Allin returned the missed field goal 120 yards for a touchdown and the fourth-ranked Gaels hung on to beat the top-ranked Rouge et Or 33-30 to book a spot in next weekends Vanier Cup.

That was electric, said Queens head coach Pat Sheahan. I thought if there was a backbreaker play, that was it.

Queens, which needed another touchdown and some timely defence to seal the win after Laval made it close late, will face the No. 2-ranked Calgary Dinos on Saturday in Quebec City.

The Dinos beat the No. 6-ranked Saint Marys Huskies 38-14 in the other national semifinal in Halifax.

Allins return of Christopher Milos 44-yard field goal attempt gave Queens a 26-13 lead.

It was also the second-longest return in Canadian university football playoff history.

Despite scoring 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter on touchdowns by Maxime Beland and Julian Feoli-Gudino to go along with a Queens safety, the defending Vanier Cup champions ran out of time.

On their own six-yard line in the final minute, Laval quarterback Benoit Groulx had the ball stripped by Queens defensive lineman Frank Pankewich. Osie Ukwuoma recovered the fumble to seal the win.

Despite the loss, Laval head coach Glenn Constantin was proud of his teams performance in the fourth quarter.

I thought the better team won today, said Constantin, adding that Lavals running game never got on track. We had our shots, but we didnt take advantage.

The loss stings all the more for Laval since the Rouge Et Or will be forced to watch the Vanier Cup awarded on their home field.

Queens quarterback Danny Brannagan outduelled Groulx, going 24-of-41 for 306 yards, largely on short passes.

Thats what they were giving us, and I think thats generally how theyve played this year, said Brannagan. They make you earn everything that you get.

Groulx, who went 26-of-42 for 425 yards, was sacked seven times.

Defensive lineman Shomari Williams accounted for 31/2 of those sacks and was named the player of the game.

I watched films on the two offensive tackles and I knew how to beat them. I just tried to execute.

Posted on November 23rd, 2009 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football