Laval quarterback Arnaud Desjardins has been named the RSEQ’s Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row.
The fifth-year pivot completed a national best 75.6 percent of his passes through seven games for 1,873 yards, 14 touchdowns, and four interceptions, earning his third career RSEQ all-star selection. He also rushed for 104 yards and two majors for the Rouge et Or.
Desjardins is now one of four finalists for the Hec Crighton Trophy, given to the top player in U Sports. The last Laval player to win the award was Desjardins’ former top receiver, Kevin Mital, in 2022.
Montreal quarterback Jose Alejandro ‘Pepe’ Gonzalez-Garza was also honoured with a major award after throwing for more yards (2,284) and touchdowns (19) than his Laval counterpart. The Mexican-Canadian standout was named the conference’s top rookie and is now the frontrunner to win the Peter Gorman Trophy at the national level.
Rounding out the major awards for the conference were Laval linebacker Justin Cloutier, who was nominated for the President’s Trophy as the country’s top stand-up defensive player, and Montreal left guard Alassane Diouf, who is up for the J.P. Metras Trophy as the best down lineman in U Sports. Laval coach Glen Constantin was named as the Coach of the Year candidate for the 12th time in his career, Montreal kicking coach Denis Boisclair has been nominated as the nation’s top assistant, and Concordia defensive back Isaac Pepin is a finalist for the prestigious Russ Jackson Award for student-athlete leadership and community engagement.
The RSEQ also honoured three players for whom their awards have no national equivalent. McGill running back Jerry Momo was named the top offensive rookie, Montreal defensive lineman Benjamin McDougall was selected as the best defensive rookie, and Laval returner Billy Jonas Pernier was deemed the outstanding special teams player.
The Montreal Carabins will visit the Laval Rouge et Or for the inaugural Jacque Dussault Cup on Saturday, November 8, at 1:00 p.m. EST.
