Last year, free safety Ryan Smith was injured in the season opener against the Montreal Carabins. After the game it was clear Smith wouldn’t be available for a week two showdown with the Concordia Stingers, so defensive coordinator Marc Loranger needed a player to fill in for the injured Smith. Then rookie Mailloux got the call. The result was less than impressive.

“That game was tough on him,” says Loranger. “He was put in a difficult position learning a new position, and let’s just say after that game he didn’t go back (to free safety).”

Mailloux looks back at that game with a sense of humour and his teammates know that it’s his positive outlook on life that fuels his drive to succeed.

“It was hell,” says Mailloux jokingly of that first game. “(Concordia) cut me apart, playing free safety you have to make the adjustments for the defense and it was just too much information, I wasn’t used to it.”

Afterwards, Mailloux went back to the position that first got him the attention of Loranger when he played at Champlain College , halfback, and improved steadily throughout the season. Now entering his second season with the Gaiters, Mailloux has a renewed confidence, accompanying his positive attitude.

“My mental approach this year is a lot different, I know what the routes are, what a zone drop is, these where things that I struggled with a lot last year,” says the native of St. Basil-de-Portneuf, QC . “I understood all the adjustments and schemes when the coaches were telling me them during practice, but on the field I don’t think I fully understood everything. Coming in this year I am in better shape, I understand the game much better and I am working as hard as I can.”

Mailloux also had to deal with the adjustment of leaving CEGEP’s Champlain Cougars for university life at Bishop’s. Although the schools share the same campus, Mailloux explains that they are worlds apart.

“University is a lot more difficult, at Champlain you were dedicated to football and you didn’t have to work as hard in the classroom,” says Mailloux. “But at Bishop’s you have to make sure you study because not only do you have more time at practice than at Champlain, but you want to get a good job when you leave Bishop’s as well. I think it’s important to have that balance between academics and football and you get that opportunity at Bishop’s.”

Mailloux, who was in Lennoxville Wednesday to move into his new apartment, says he anticipates an improved defense for the 2003 season. He also feels that the team is on the cusp of greatness.