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McMaster University Marauders quarterback Kyle Quinlan, 12, celebrates with teammate after scoring a touchdown against University of Calgary Dinos during first half Mitchell Bowl football action in Hamilton, Ontario, on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012.The Canadian Press

With three McMaster Marauder players nominated for four of the major trophies that will be handed out at the Gibson's Finest Player Awards Thursday night, it seems fitting that the ceremony will be held in Koerner Hall at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

The Marauders should feel right at home in what was their old home.

The stately building on Bloor Street West was the original location of McMaster, which opened back in 1887.

In 1930, desperately requiring additional space, the university relocated to Hamilton.

McMaster quarterback Kyle Quinlan is up for the Hec Crighton at the country's top player, linebacker Aram Eisho for the Presidents' Trophy as the country's top defensive player while defensive end Ben D'Aguilar is a nominee for the JP Metras Trophy, given to the top down lineman.

For a while before it relocated to Hamilton there was serious discussion that McMaster would be federated with the University of Toronto as was the case with Trinity College and Victoria College.

It was a shame that didn't happen. Think of how good the U of T's football program would be.

McMaster will be vying for it's second straight Vanier Cup championship Friday night at Rogers Centre when it will lock up against Laval Rouge et Or.

It will be a rematch of last year 41-38 double overtime thriller won by the Marauders in Vancouver.

Both coaches, Glen Constantin of Laval and Stefan Ptaszek of McMaster, are warning that a repeat of last year's masterpiece is highly unlikely.

"I'm not planning on coughing up a 23-point lead and I don't think he's planning on being down 23," Ptaszek said. "The script and how it played out last year was a once in a lifetime thing.

"I can promise you both teams are going to compete for the entire 60 minutes. It's going to be a great football game and a showcase of our sport and these student athletes. The circus that was 2011 will be uniquely 2011."

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