Montreal’s Carabins claimed the 60th Vanier Cup with a 30-16 win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, marking a redemption in championship football for the city.
This victory for the University of Montreal came shortly after the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes suffered a loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 112th Grey Cup.
Powered by U Sports rookie of the year, Pepe Gonzalez, the Carabin offense showcased an impressive aerial performance throughout the game.
Gonzalez delivered 344 passing yards and three touchdowns to Brandon Gourgon, Hassane Dosso, and Simon Larose, securing Montreal’s third national title, with the previous win in 2023.
Gonzalez credited the unusually warm 6°C weather in Regina, stating that it played a favorable role in their victory celebration as he was named the game’s most valuable player.
Coach Marco Iadeluca commended Gonzalez’s stellar performance, emphasizing the quarterback’s composure and the team’s strong defensive play that sealed the win in the second half.
The game took place at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium, providing a quasi-home advantage for the Huskies due to its proximity to their Saskatoon campus, marking the first Vanier Cup hosted by Regina and the second ever held in the province.
The Carabins’ triumph signifies a fourth consecutive national championship for Quebec-based football programs, following Laval’s victories in 2024 and 2022.
The game was not devoid of controversy, as an incident involving Gonzalez and a potential illegal pass penalty stirred emotions among spectators and coaches, including Saskatchewan’s Scott Flory.
The Huskies, led by backup quarterback Jake Farrell in lieu of the injured Anton Amundrud, struggled to match Montreal’s offensive prowess, resulting in their seventh consecutive Vanier Cup defeat since 1998.
Despite the loss, the Huskies aimed for a historic Canadian football championship trifecta, which eluded them following successful campaigns by the Roughriders and Saskatoon Hilltops earlier in the season.