By Neil Stevens,
Canadian Press
TORONTO — Jacques-Olivier Lumbala has taken a beating lugging the ball for the Saint Mary’s Huskies this autumn, but he’s certain he’s got one big game left in him.
The five-foot-10, 225-pound running back gets his chance against the Manitoba Bisons in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship football game Friday night 7:30 p.m. ET.
With star quarterback Erik Glavik out with a knee injury, success in the running game will be vital if Saint Mary’s is to win the Vanier Cup. Lumbala is up for the challenge.
The 24-year-old cannonball of a rusher ran for more than 100 yards six times during the eight regular-season games in the Atlantic conference. He surpassed 200 yards in two of his starts. In all, he gained 1,044 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on 132 carries, which averaged out to 130 yards a game. That’s outstanding running.
There was a hiccup in the conference final when he managed only 63 yards and was benched after fumbling a seventh time in six games. In the national semifinal last weekend, Lumbala managed 68 yards on 18 carries and emerged from coach Steve Sumarah’s doghouse during the upset of No. 1 Laval.
The Huskies will need him at his best when they face a Bisons squad with an excellent run defence.
“It’s the end of the season so I’m a little beat up like everybody else,” the native of Gabon who grew up in Calgary said after practice Thursday. “It takes a toll after awhile, but I’m all right.
“I’ve still got one more game in me.”
Allistair Blair of Brampton, Ont., who rushed for 76 yards on six carries against Laval, provides an alternate Saint Mary’s ground threat.
The Huskies have rallied around backup quarterback Ted Abraham of Bedford, N.S., whose first start with the team comes in the biggest game of the year.
“Everybody is fired up and we’re ready to go,” said Lumbala.
Manitoba, 11-0 this year and winner of 24 of its last 25 games, would be the favourite even if national MVP Glavic was fit to play. With Glavic out, the Bisons could be said to be overwhelming favourites.
Saint Mary’s is 9-1 on the season, and goes into the season finale against a lineup none of the Huskies have faced.
“It’s kind of difficult to get ready for somebody you don’t know but we’re try to make the best of it,” said Lumbala. “We’re really excited to be in the final.
“It’s something we’ve been looking forward to for the longest time.”
Sumarah says Lumbala “has been our go-to guy all year.”
“He’s a power runner,” said Sumarah. “He’s going to have to break some tackles on his own for us to be successful.”
Lumbala is well aware that he’ll be targeted by Manitoba’s linemen and linebackers, but he’s eager to barge through the line.
“That feeling that everybody is trying to stop you,” he replied when asked what gives him the biggest kick out of lugging the ball. “It’s really gratifying.”
For Manitoba, the primary running backs will be 29-year-old Karim Lowen, originally from St. Kitts in the Caribbean, and Matt Henry of Mississauga, Ont.
“It’s going to be something playing in the national final in front of family and friends,” said the 20-year-old Henry.
This is the first time since 1973 that the universities final is being held in conjunction with Grey Cup week. The CFL’s title game is Sunday. The college players don’t seem to mind playing second fiddle to the pros.
“It’s a showcase for the sport,” says Manitoba head coach Brian Dobie.
This is the fifth time teams from the same city have advanced to the two championship games in the same year. There has never been a double win by a city.
Saint Mary’s last won the trophy in 2002, while Manitoba hasn’t won since 1970. The only previous meeting between the two teams was in 2001 when the Huskies slammed the Bisons 42-16.
This is the 41st year of the Vanier Cup, which will be presented on a Friday night for the first time since 1976.
