The city of Montreal found redemption on the football field this Saturday as the University of Montreal Carabins captured the 60th Vanier Cup with a decisive 30-16 victory over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium.
The win comes just six days after the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes fell to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Grey Cup, offering a measure of revenge for Montreal sports fans. This victory marks the Carabins’ third national title and their second in the last three years.
Rookie QB Pepe Gonzalez Leads the Charge
The Carabins’ offence was orchestrated by U Sports Rookie of the Year, quarterback Pepe Gonzalez. Looking comfortable on the big stage, Gonzalez delivered an aerial clinic, passing for 344 yards and throwing three touchdowns to receivers Brandon Gourgon, Hassane Dosso, and Simon Larose. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Gonzalez noted that the unseasonably warm 6 C weather in Regina played a role in the team’s success.
“Coming to Saskatchewan, we didn’t know what to expect,” Gonzalez said. “We practised in the cold and rain… I think we were blessed to have this amazing weather, for sure.”
Montreal head coach Marco Iadeluca praised his young quarterback’s poise: “The kid has ice in his veins. We were hoping he’d have his best game of the season today and I think he did.”
Controversy Before Halftime
The game was not without contention. With 1:45 remaining in the first half, Gonzalez appeared to cross the line of scrimmage before completing a pass on a critical second down. While officials initially threw a flag for an illegal pass, they eventually picked it up after a lengthy discussion, allowing the catch to stand.
This decision drew criticism from broadcasters and spectators. The drive continued, allowing Montreal to kick a field goal on the final play of the half, extending their lead to 15-11.
Saskatchewan head coach Scott Flory expressed frustration but refused to blame the officials entirely.
“I’m not a ref… You’ve got to be able to trust they picked both of those up for a reason,” Flory said. “You’ve got to get it right the first time but we just didn’t do enough in the second half.”
Huskies Offense Stalled by Injuries
The Huskies entered the game at a disadvantage, relying on backup quarterback Jake Farrell after starter Anton Amundrud was diagnosed with lymphoma earlier in the season. Farrell struggled against Montreal’s defense, throwing two interceptions and taking three sacks.
Additionally, Hec Creighton nominee Daniel Wiebe, the Huskies’ leading receiver, played through an injury in a walking boot and was held to just 48 yards.
While the Huskies’ defense fought hard, their offense could only manage a single field goal in the second half, as Montreal outscored them 15-5 to seal the win.
Quebec Dominance and Saskatchewan Heartbreak
The Carabins’ victory underscores a period of dominance for Quebec university football, marking the fourth straight national championship for a Quebec-based program (Laval won in 2022 and 2024).
Conversely, the loss extends a painful streak for the University of Saskatchewan; this is their seventh consecutive loss in a Vanier Cup appearance since their last title in 1998. The defeat also denied the province a “football trifecta,” as both the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Saskatoon Hilltops had already won their respective championships this month.