The 2011Vanier Cup, the 47th edition of the Canadian university football championship, took place on Friday, November 25, 2011, at BC Place in Vancouver.[2] The McMaster Marauders defeated the Laval Rouge et Or 41–38 in only the second ever Vanier Cup to go into overtime.[3] The Marauders won their first ever national championship while the Rouge et Or lost a Vanier Cup game for the first time. BC Place underwent a renovation, including a retractable roof, and hosted the Vanier Cup on the same weekend it hosted the Grey Cup. This marked the first time the two games were played at the same venue on the same weekend since 2007. This Vanier Cup is notable for being considered one of the best Canadian football games ever played.
McMaster quarterbackKyle Quinlan was named the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy winner after completing 36 of 55 passes for 482 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 106 yards on 14 carries, accounting for 588 of the team's 675 total offensive yards. His 36 completions and 482 passing yards were both the second best totals ever recorded in a Vanier Cup game. McMaster linebacker Aram Eisho was named the top defensive player and awarded the Bruce Coulter Award after recording 11.5 tackles and one forced fumble.[3]
It was only the second time in Vanier Cup history the national championship game was decided in overtime, with the first coming in 1994; and the first time a Vanier Cup championship was decided in double overtime.
McMaster won their first Vanier Cup championship in their second ever appearance, with the first being a 1967 loss to the Alberta Golden Bears.
Laval lost their first ever Vanier Cup game and it was the most points the Rouge et Or surrendered all season.