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Dinos mourn Vanier Cup winner Torrance
CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos were extremely
saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Torrance, quarterback of
the Dinos football team from 1987-90.
Torrance passed away suddenly on Tuesday in St. John's, N.L. He was
43.
A Calgary native, Torrance joined the Dinos in 1987 after playing
his high school football at William Aberhart. As a 19-year-old
sophomore, Torrance led the Dinos over the Saint Mary's Huskies
with a 52-23 win in the 1988 Vanier Cup at Varsity Stadium in
Toronto.
In that game, Torrance set a Vanier Cup record that still stands
today. His 86-yard scamper remains the longest running play in
Vanier Cup history and the second-longest in school history. He
completed 10 of 22 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns while
rushing seven times for 93 yards and a major as the Dinos captured
their third Vanier Cup in school history.
“We began recruiting Bob in Grade 11, and I always thought
very highly of him,” said Peter Connellan, who led the Dinos
to four Vanier Cups as head coach. “He was an excellent
athlete, very good in track and field and basketball as well as
football, and when he played he was one of the best quarterbacks in
university football at the time.
“Bob was a strong leader, a very good teammate, and committed
to the sport. I had a great deal of affection for Bob, and I relied
on him as the team's quarterback both on and off the field. It's a
real shock.”
Torrance was a second team All-Canadian in both 1989 and 1990 and a
Canada West all-star three consecutive years, 1988-90. He remains
No. 2 all-time in most quarterbacking categories for the Dinos,
including passing attempts (808), completions (434), passing yards
(7,085), and touchdown passes (52) – trailing only Greg Vavra
in each instance. He holds the University of Calgary's single-game
record of seven touchdown passes, set in Oct. 1989 against
Manitoba.
Torrance was selected in the third round, 22nd overall, of the 1991
CFL Canadian Draft by his hometown Calgary Stampeders. He was the
third-string quarterback for the Stamps' 1992 Grey Cup victory in
Toronto.
He is survived by his wife Lori and three children. A public
memorial service will be held in Calgary at a later date.
Source:
Calgary Sports Info
