The Montreal Carabins clinched the 60th Vanier Cup by defeating the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 30-16 in a redemption-filled championship football game on Saturday. This victory for the University of Montreal followed the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes losing the 112th Grey Cup to the Saskatchewan Roughriders just six days prior.
The Carabins, led by U Sports rookie standout Pepe Gonzalez, showcased an impressive aerial performance throughout the game. Gonzalez’s stellar performance included 344 passing yards and three touchdowns to Brandon Gourgon, Hassane Dosso, and Simon Larose, securing Montreal’s third national title and their second in the last three years, with a previous win in 2023.
Gonzalez attributed the unseasonably warm 6°C weather in Regina as a factor that possibly favored their team. He expressed gratitude for the favorable conditions during the on-field celebrations, where he was named the game’s most valuable player. Head coach Marco Iadeluca praised Gonzalez’s exceptional performance, highlighting the quarterback’s composure and the team’s strong defensive play that shut down the opponents in the second half.
The game took place at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium, providing a quasi-home advantage for the Huskies, located just a short drive away from their Saskatoon campus. The victory marked the fourth consecutive national championship for a Quebec-based program, following Laval’s wins in 2024 and 2022.
The Montreal Carabins’ triumph was not without controversy, as a disputed play in the first half involving Gonzalez drew criticism from Saskatchewan’s head coach and others. Despite the contentious moment, Montreal maintained control of the game, outscoring Saskatchewan 15-5 in the second half to secure the Vanier Cup victory.
The Huskies, playing without star quarterback Anton Amundrud, who had been sidelined due to illness, struggled offensively with backup Jake Farrell. Farrell faced two interceptions and three sacks, completing 20 of 31 attempts for 229 yards without any touchdowns. The loss marked the Huskies’ seventh consecutive defeat in Vanier Cup appearances since their last championship in 1998, denying them a chance at a Canadian football championship trifecta after recent successes by other Saskatchewan teams.
Montreal’s win not only celebrated a significant victory in Western Canada but also avenged a 2021 national semifinal loss to Saskatchewan, solidifying their place as the Vanier Cup champions.