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Western Mustangs face 'national powerhouse' at Vanier Cup

Coaching staff with the Western Mustangs have been spending eight hours a day reviewing footage of their opponents in the lead-up to the 53rd Vanier Cup in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Mustangs go head-to-head with Laval in Hamilton this weekend

Rebecca Zandbergen · CBC News ·
Running back Cedric Joseph and his Western Mustang teammates rolled over the Acadia Axemen to advance to the Vanier Cup, but the team's offensive coordinator says they'll face a much tougher test against Laval at Saturday's Vanier Cup. (Ted Pritchard/Canadian Press)

There's no doubt about it. The Western Mustangs will face their strongest opponent at 53rd Vanier Cup in Hamilton this weekend.

Steve Snyder, who joined the team a year ago as offensive co-ordinator, calls Laval University's Rouge et Or "a national powerhouse." The team's record speaks for itself. They are the reigning Vanier Cup champions and have won eight titles since 2003.

When asked to point out Laval's Achilles heel, Snyder suggested the team didn't have many weaknesses, adding he's been reviewing footage of Laval in action for eight hours a day.

Laval is the last team the Mustangs faced when they made it to the Vanier Cup in 2008. They lost 44-21.

The Western Mustangs rolled over the Acadia Axemen 81-3 last weekend but the team's offensive co-ordinator says things won't be so easy when they face Laval in Saturday's Vanier Cup in Hamilton. (Ted Pritchard/The Canadian Press)

Snyder said this isn't so much a rematch, it's an eventuality.

"When you make it this far in our sport, you're most likely going to have to cross paths with Laval at some point."

"They're the best team we will have played this year, but I feel like we match up pretty well against them and our guys are confident that we can move the ball on them and make some things happen."

Some of the Mustangs players are into their sixth season. Snyder called them level-headed and hard working.

"I think we're playing some of the best football we've played in a long time, and I know our student athletes feel good about themselves and where we're at right now. But at the same time, we're playing a really tough opponent and so we're just going in and prepare the best we can this week."

Snyder said his message to the team before the players take the field in Hamlton will be simple.

"We believe in them. We're proud of them and that they're ready to win. They should go out and play for each other and represent a great football program."

The Western Mustangs are offering a ticket deal to Saturday's Vanier Cup. For $15 , the team is offering transportation and a ticket to the game.

Kick off is for the 53rd Vanier Cup is at 1 p.m. on Nov. 25, 2017 at Tim Hortons Field.

The halftime show will feature the Trews.

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