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Jerome Rancourt has made big gains as Western’s short-yardage specialist.
The big, mobile quarterback is a big spark off the bench. When he successfully makes a first down, his excitement is worth the price of admission.
“That’s my job – to demoralize (the defence) and every week, teams have different strategies to counter it,” the 6-foot-5 Quebec City native said. “But the coaches and I find a way to get the most out of it. I guess when the opposite team’s QB gets eight yards on a play that is supposed to get one, they can’t really chirp too much.”
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Rancourt served admirably as a fill-in down the stretch last year when Evan Hillock was in and out of the lineup with shoulder woes. His size and speed have been a problem so far through two games.
“I think the coaches noticed at the end of last season I was not only able to run up the middle for a yard but do more,” he said. “Now, they set things up like they did in Ottawa (to run outside). Teams are not expecting me just to jump up the middle. They have to get ready for me in many other ways.”
Rancourt started at school in business, but switched to civil engineering. He still has two-and-half years to go in his program so he will be a Mustang for some time yet.
Soon after he arrived, Western defensive co-ordinator Paul Gleason tried to convince him to switch sides of the ball. He joked with Rancourt that he was two or three ice cream cones away from 275 pounds, which would make him a perfect defensive end.
“I knew he would take me on defence any day because I do have the frame for it,” Rancourt said. “I have the speed, agility and power – and every year, I keep gaining weight. I’m getting closer to playing end but still moving well for a guy my size, I think.
“I’m offence. Maybe later, things will change.”
He also never wants to stop at one yard.
“The o-line doesn’t want to, either,” he said. “I want to get the most yards, but I don’t want to get 15 yards downfield and fumble. I have to protect the ball and do my job.”
And then, of course, celebrate.
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