Jonathan Sénécal wrote a new chapter in the history of the Université de Montréal Carabins by becoming the first player to win the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded to the outstanding player on the Canadian scene.

The Blues quarterback, who was honored Thursday night during the Vanier Cup banquet at a Kingston hotel, had a dream season, gaining 2,215 yards and 394 yards on the ground. He threw 15 touchdown passes, scored six majors with his legs and had a 69.6 percent completion rate.

“I don’t care much for individual awards but it’s a great feeling to be the first Carabins to win the Hec Crighton. It is a great honor and shows that I have done good. I’m very happy, but there’s no comparison to the Vanier Cup.”

Sénécal succeeds his former teammate in the college rankings with André-Grasset Kevin Mital’s Phénix. The Rouge et Or receiver from Laval University was crowned last year before winning the Vanier Cup two days later.

This is the first time in history that two RSEQ players have won the Hec Crighton consecutively.

Rookie par excellence

Justin Cloutier received the Peter Gorman Trophy for Most Outstanding Rookie. The linebacker is the fourth player in Rouge et Or history to receive this honor, following Mathieu Betts in 2015, Hugo Richard in 2014 and Jean-Frédéric Tremblay in 2000.

“This title has an important significance. Winning the College Defensive Player of the Year award was great, but this is even bigger. It’s a great recognition. On a collective level we didn’t reach our goal, but on a personal level I’m happy with my season.

Cloutier experienced this evening in the company of his parents, who had traveled to Kingston. “They supported me from the beginning and were always there for me. It’s my prize, but there are a lot of people behind it.”

Presidential Trophy

The Presidents’ Trophy, awarded to the defensive player par excellence, remained with the Carabins. After Nicky Farinaccio in 2022, it’s linebacker Harold Miessan’s turn to win the title. The Old Montreal Spartans product recorded 36 tackles, two interceptions and one sack.

“It’s nice to be recognized, but the goal is to win a shared honor.”

Canadian stars

In addition to Sénécal and Miessan, Christopher Fontenard, Jeremiah Ojo, Bruno Lagacé, Kaylyn St-Cyr, Alassane Dioud and Charles Eliot-Boulianne complete the Carabins contingent in the first all-star team, in which we also find receiver Darius Simmons from the McGill Redbirds . The Blues’ eight first-team selections represent a team mark.

In the second constellation we find Vincent Blanchard, Guillaume Cauchon, Cristophe Beaulieu and Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay from the Rouge et Or of the University of Laval, as well as Hassane Dosso and Nicky Farinaccio from the Carabins.

Coach of the Year

Coach Chris Morris of the Alberta Golden Bears won the Frank Tindall Trophy and tackle Theo Benedet of UBC won the JP Metras Trophy as most outstanding lineman for the second year in a row.