“I wouldn’t want to play a full match against these guys.”
This sentence from Gabriel Cousineau perfectly expresses what the opponents of linebackers Nicky Farinaccio and Harold Miessan must repeat when facing the University of Montreal (UdeM) Carabins defense.
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The two sidekicks have been at the center of the Blues’ defensive success since entering the collegiate scene in 2021 and look to be at their best this year.
When asked what it was like to have to pit his offense against the two men in practice every day, the Carabins’ offensive coordinator didn’t hesitate.
“It’s a mess for us,” Cousineau said with a laugh. You are so good. Both have very high football intelligence.
“Let’s just say they don’t give the offense a lot of confidence in practice. They make so many plays that it’s difficult for us to execute.”
According to UdeM defense coordinator Denis Touchette, Farinaccio and Miessan are so successful in games precisely because of the effort they put in beforehand.
“The training is not a burden for them,” he said. They give as much of themselves in training as they do in games. They are constantly looking for ways to improve.”
“That’s what I call ‘old school payers.’ They never want to leave the field and are never in pain,” added head coach Marco Iadeluca. It’s never enough for them. They push each other to be better.”
From opponent to accomplice
This is the same observation from the two main parties, who said they greatly appreciated each other’s commitment to the work.
Farinaccio and Miessan have come a long way since they are the same age and come from the same part of the country.
“We competed for so many years. “We played civilly against each other,” explained the first. It’s a source of motivation to play alongside such a good player.”
“From the age of 12 until we arrived at the Carabins, I competed against him every year,” added the second. We come from the same place and our paths are similar. We have the same style of play and the same mentality.
You can tell when you watch them play key games week after week.
“It’s not easy for opposing teams,” Touchette said. If it’s not one, it’s the other. You have no choice but to come up with a plan to block these two. If you forget one, he’ll make you pay.”
A worthy opponent
This Saturday, Farinaccio, Miessan and their defensive teammates face their biggest challenge of the year in the Uteck Cup: the Western Mustangs.
The Ontario champions will arrive at CEPSUM with an unblemished record of 10-0. The Mustangs scored 42 touchdowns and averaged 43.8 points per regular season game.
The Canadian semifinals are complex for its players because they don’t know exactly which team they will face.
“It’s a change,” Miessan said. We know it’s a great football program. That’s the kind of game you want to play.”
“It’s exciting to play an undefeated team,” Farinaccio said. We want challenges like this. They’re big guys, they’re going to run and hit hard the whole game.”
Unsurprisingly, the Blues’ two star players are still on the same wavelength.
– The Carabins and the Mustangs meet this Saturday at 12 p.m. at CEPSUM. The fight will be broadcast on TVA Sports.