The Montreal Carabins claimed the 60th Vanier Cup title by defeating the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 30-16 in a championship football showdown on Saturday. This victory marked Montreal’s third national title, led by U Sports rookie standout Pepe Gonzalez, who showcased an impressive passing performance with 344 yards and three touchdown passes to Brandon Gourgon, Hassane Dosso, and Simon Larose.
Gonzalez attributed part of their success to the unexpectedly warm 6°C weather in Regina, which contrasted with their preparation in cold and rainy conditions. The quarterback’s stellar play, supported by head coach Marco Iadeluca’s strategic guidance, led to a dominant second-half performance that secured the win for the Carabins.
The game, held at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium, served as a near-home advantage for the Huskies, located just a short drive away from their Saskatoon campus. Montreal’s victory marked the fourth consecutive national championship for Quebec-based programs, following Laval’s triumphs in 2024 and 2022.
Despite a controversial moment in the first half involving a disputed pass by Gonzalez, the Carabins maintained their momentum and outscored the Huskies 15-5 in the second half. The Huskies, playing with backup quarterback Jake Farrell due to starter Anton Amundrud’s illness, struggled to generate offense, resulting in their seventh consecutive Vanier Cup defeat since 1998.
The Carabins’ win not only secured their second title in three years but also avenged a past semifinal loss to Saskatchewan. The victory denied Saskatchewan the chance for a football championship trifecta after recent successes by the Roughriders and Saskatoon Hilltops.
