BC Place is sacred ground for Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive back Mike Daly.

It was there, under the bright lights of the cavernous indoor stadium, that he won a Vanier Cup national championship with the McMaster Marauders in 2011 following a classic overtime nail-biter.

On Sunday afternoon, the 24-year-old will suit up with the Ticats to vie for another championship in the very same arena — the CFL’s Grey Cup.

“I’m expecting to have a big flashback on Sunday,” said Daly, who still lives near the University with three members of the current Marauders football team. “That place is very special for me.”

Daly’s roommates — McMaster students Scott Martin, Dahlin Brooks and Andrew Surya — are hoping to win the University’s second Vanier Cup title on Saturday at Percival Molson Stadium, as they battle the hometown University of Montreal Carabins.

Even with a three hour time difference between BC and Quebec, and with his own championship game to prepare for, Daly says he’ll be watching every minute from his hotel room.

“I wouldn’t miss that game. I don’t know how much energy or encouragement McMaster needs at this point. They should just enjoy the moment, play as hard as they possibly can and make it count.”

He won’t be the only Ticat keeping a close eye on Saturday’s Vanier Cup tilt.

Three of Daly’s teammates on the Tabbies — Frédéric Plesius, Arnaud Gascon-Nadon and Marc-Antoine Fortin — played for the Laval University Rouge et Or during Daly’s time at McMaster. The Marauders met Laval in back-to-back Vanier Cup championships in 2011 and 2012, losing a hard-fought rematch at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Old rivalries die hard, even when it’s all in good fun.

“Those guys will definitely be cheering against McMaster,” said Daly, with a big laugh. “But it’s pretty cool to be on the same team now, and to be playing for a Grey Cup together.”

Daly was selected by the Ticats in the sixth round of the 2013 CFL entry draft, but returned to McMaster to play out his final season of CIS eligibility.

In five seasons with the Marauders, he played in 38 games and registered 95 defensive tackles (83 solo, 24 assisted), one quarterback sack and 10 interceptions. In addition to winning a Vanier Cup in 2011, he also won two Yates Cups with the Marauders, one Uteck Bowl, one Mitchell Bowl and was named a first-team OUA All Star from 2011-2013.

In his rookie season with the Ticats, Daly recorded nine Special Teams Tackles.

Hamilton beat the Montreal Alouettes in a hometown thriller at Tim Hortons Field last weekend to advance to the team’s second Grey Cup in as many years. For Daly, the past few days have been surreal.

“I walked into the bank on Monday, and I was wearing some old McMaster gear and Ticats shirt,” said Daly.

“Nobody knew who I was, but I had a few people come up to me and say how exciting it is to have two local teams in the finals. The whole city is stoked.”

Former Marauder Ben D’Aguilar, currently with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, will also play in Sunday’s Grey Cup championship.

Tickets are currently on sale for Saturday’s Vanier Cup championship in Montreal, and the game will also be broadcast live on Sportsnet and CBC Radio-Canada. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Below: Ticats defensive back and former McMaster Marauder Mike Daly. Photo courtesy of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.