The Laval University Rouge et Or captured the Vanier Cup after a thrilling 30-24 win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in the U Sports football championship at London, Ontario on Saturday.
Former Swift Current Comp High School Colt Rhett Vavra made the highlight reel a number of times on the national stage. The second-year Huskies receiver made six catches for 66 yards in the game, including a three-yard touchdown catch to give the Huskies the lead in the second quarter.
From Swift Current to starring on the country's biggest stage β Rhett Vavra finds the endzone in the Vanier π https://t.co/4KqseTTjxY pic.twitter.com/uezvnb9dB3
β Huskie Football (@skhuskies) November 26, 2022
Vavra also collected 53 yards in returns on special teams, including a 35-yard punt return to put the Huskies in Laval territory as they looked to rally in the fourth quarter.
He's known as the fastest man in the Canada West for a reason π¨π¨ https://t.co/qutrqd7nIJ pic.twitter.com/tl0qDGkdCY
β Huskie Football (@skhuskies) November 26, 2022
Vavra made a spectacular leaping catch on that same drive, which led to a touchdown to put the Huskies within three.
If the nation doesn't know the name of Rhett Vavra, it sure does now π£οΈ pic.twitter.com/smBaAaSXdx
β Huskie Football (@skhuskies) November 26, 2022
Vincent Blanchard made five field goals, including a 49-yarder for the second-longest field goal in Vanier Cup history, and Arnaud Desjardins passed for 397 yards for the Rouge et Or, who won a U Sports record 11th Vanier Cup and first since 2018.
The @rougeetor are your 2022 Vanier Cup Champions !!!
β U SPORTS Football (@USPORTS_FB) November 26, 2022
Le @rougeetor sont vos champions de Coupe Vanier 2022 !!! pic.twitter.com/n03HXyu37W
Fifth-year quarterback Mason Nyhus threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns in his final game with the Huskies, and fourth-year defensive back Nixen Voll, formerly of the Shaunavon Shadows, made two tackles as Saskatchewan fell in the Vanier Cup game for the second-straight year.
One win short. Thank you to everyone who backed this team all season long β it was one hell of a ride.#VanierCup | #HuskiePride pic.twitter.com/jBdm1beTzz
— Huskie Football (@skhuskies) November 26, 2022