CIS Corner: A return to the university ranks pays off for Laval’s Frédéric Plesius

TORONTO—One of the most notable players on the field in Laval's triumphant 37-14 win over McMaster Friday night was Rouge et Or middle linebacker Frédéric Plesius, a man few figured would be playing in the 2012 Vanier Cup. That's not a reflection on Plesius' talent, which is substantial (he earned the Presidents' Trophy as the top CIS defensive player this year), or on Laval, which is always a dominant team. Rather, it's because he was chosen 10th overall in the 2012 CFL draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and many expected him to stick with that team. Plesius chose the unconventional option of returning to the CIS ranks without even attending Tiger-Cats' camp, though, a move that rankled some at the CFL level. He said the Rouge et Or's victory Friday was the perfect way to cap off his career, though, and it vindicated his choice.

"Last year, it was a bad taste in the mouth," he said. "We felt like we had something to prove, certainly myself, as I only won one Vanier Cup. Now my goal is accomplished."

Plesius said he heard the criticism of his decision, but it didn't affect him.

"I made my decision for myself," he said. "At any time of my career I could have been released by the Ticats. I just wanted to go back for another year and win with my family."

He said Friday's win was special thanks to it coming in front of a hostile crowd of mostly McMaster fans.

"It feels really, really amazing, us against 30,000 people, screaming against us," Plesius said. "That's how tight we are as a family, as a football program. We stick together for the whole game. It just feels good to do that, to win here, and I can't wait to go home and celebrate with the guys."

Plesius said that crowd didn't throw the Rouge et Or off, though.

"We expected the crowd to be against us because we're in Ontario, but it doesn't really matter as long as we stick together and fight for four quarters."

He said he wanted to come back to Laval not just to play, but also to inspire younger Rouge et Or players to continue the program's unprecedented success. Despite only starting a football program in 1996, Laval has now won seven Vanier Cups, the most of any CIS team. Plesius said he wants the Rouge et Or to carry on their winning tradition long after he leaves.

"I won as a leader, as a fifth-year guy," he said. "I showed the young guys how to duplicate the hard work that we did all season and make sure expectations are nothing less than the Vanier Cup again. I hope the best for these guys."

Plesius said the expectations at Laval are always for a title.

"We're the winningest program in the nation," he said. "We want to keep reloading and win next year, hopefully."

A crucial factor in Friday's win was the remarkable performance of the Rouge et Or offensive line, which cleared the way for Maxime Boutin's 253-yard, two-touchdown performance (the second-highest total in Vanier history). Plesius said the offensive line's showing was critical for Laval.

"That was the key of our game," he said. "Our o-line was amazing as you saw. We just dominated their team."

The ferocious Rouge et Or defence had a lot to do with it, too. They were going up against Kyle Quinlan, the McMaster quarterback who won the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in CIS this year, but they made him look very ordinary; Quinlan finished the night with 25 completions on 40 attempts (62.5 per cent) for 335 yards and a touchdown, plus a team-high 55 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries, but he threw two interceptions and never quite looked comfortable. A lot of that had to do with Plesius and the rest of Laval's pass rush; they sacked Quinlan seven times (Plesius had a team-high two sacks) and hurried him many more. Plesius said stopping Quinlan was crucial for the Rouge et Or.

"He is the best player on their team, the best player in the nation, so we wanted to put pressure on him to make quick decisions," Plesius said. "It paid off."

Plesius will be moving on from CIS now, and he said this championship is the perfect way to go out.

"To leave as a senior and to win the Vanier Cup is amazing," he said. "Now it's time for me to go to the pros."

He may have options there: the CFL would obviously like to have him, but there may be NFL interest as well. The NFL's looking at northern talent more than ever these days, and there have been rumours of southern interest in Plesius even before he was drafted. He has NCAA experience (he played at Baylor before coming to Laval) and may get some looks. Friday, though, he said he wanted to enjoy this victory before deciding where to go next..

"Right now, I'm focusing on partying with my team," he said. "After, I will speak with my agent."