MONTREAL – McGill's Louis Brouillette scored the game's lone touchdown with 4:26 remaining in the fourth quarter to break a deadlock and give the Redmen a 10-3 advantage over the visiting Bishop's Gaiters. A lead they held onto resulting in their first victory since 2013.
 
Strong defense and struggling offense was the name of the game that opened the 2015 RSEQ University football campaign in Montreal on Friday night. The two teams that missed the playoffs in the conference a year ago and managed just one win between them, opened the year against one another at Percival Molson Stadium.
 
Following a 61-yard opening kickoff return by the Redmen's Sebastien Asselin (Joliette, Que.) the Gaiters' defense held strong and forced McGill to a 44-yard field goal attempt that was unsuccessful. Bishop's took possession and marched 11 plays, 59 yards cumulating in a Vincent Dube (Montmagny, Que.) 32-yard field goal and an early Bishop's 3-0 lead.
 
Benjamin Pouliot (Quebec City) was one of the lone bright spots of the Gaiters who lost to the Redmen for the first time since 2012. The Cegep Limoilou product tallied the first interception of his CIS career in his third season. His stat line finished with two tackles, one for a loss, the interception and a pair of pass breakups. He also was credited with a punt return for six yards.
 
McGill eventually answered and knotted the game at 3-3 midway through the second frame thanks to a 14-yard field goal after the Gaiters defense stood strong in the red zone.
 
The score remained tied as both offenses stalled until 4:26 remained in the game when McGill pivot Joel Houle (Chateauguay, Que.) connected with Brouillette (Sherbrooke, Que.) across the middle for a 33-yard major, the only one of the game.
 
Bishop's tried to answer on the ensuing drive.  Starting quarterback Travis Eman (Brampton, Ont.) found Michael Cleghorn (Newmarket, Ont.) for 26 yards and Robbie Burke (Quebec City) for 33 yards on the Gaiters most productive drive of the night.  Looking to tie on third down Eman's pass into the end zone fell to the ground and the Gaiters turned the ball over on downs.  It was the best chance the purple and silver had to draw even. 
 
"It was very frustrating," said Gaiters head coach Kevin Mackey. "We made a lot of mistakes but give McGill credit they played a good game.  We have some things to fix up to be ready for Concordia; hopefully we will take our frustrations out on them."
 
On the other sideline McGill's Ronald Hilaire got his first win as the Redmen's bench boss.  
 
The opening day loss leaves Bishop's at 0-1.  They are next in action on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Coulter Field against the Concordia Stingers (0-1).  Concordia will look to exert some of their own frustrations after falling 37-0 to Sherbrooke on Friday night at home.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. as the Gaiters will open the home portion of their schedule. Tickets will be available online at www.gaiters.ca/tickets.
 
Quick Stats: Eman finished the game 14-29 for 160 yards…Vincent Davignon (Roxton Pond, Que.) was Bishop's leading rusher with 65 yards on nine carries before leaving the game with an apparent injury…Burke was the top receiver. He caught three passes for 51 yards…On the defensive side of the ball Jo Fortin (Sherbrooke) had 6.5 tackles, the most of any Gaiter.
 
Stay up-to-date with all of the latest news and information on the Bishop's Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca or by following @BishopsGaiters on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
 
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