The Montreal Carabins clinched the 60th Vanier Cup by defeating the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 30-16, marking a redemption moment for Montreal in championship football on Saturday. The victory came on the heels of the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes loss in the 112th Grey Cup to the Saskatchewan Roughriders just six days prior.
Led by U Sports rookie of the year Pepe Gonzalez, the Carabins’ offense showcased a strong aerial performance during the game. Gonzalez’s impressive display 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. The Carabins had previously won in 2023.
Gonzalez credited the unseasonably warm 6°C weather in Regina, stating that it likely played a role in their success. Head coach Marco Iadeluca expressed pride in Gonzalez’s performance, highlighting the quarterback’s composure and the team’s solid defense in shutting down the opposition in the second half.
The game took place at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium, providing a near-home advantage for the Huskies due to the short distance from their Saskatoon campus. The win for the Carabins marks the fourth consecutive national championship for a Quebec-based program, following victories by Laval in 2024 and 2022.
Despite controversy surrounding a disputed play in the first half, the Carabins maintained their lead and controlled the game, ultimately sealing the victory. The Huskies, missing their star quarterback due to illness, struggled offensively, resulting in their seventh consecutive Vanier Cup loss since their last championship win in 1998.
Montreal’s triumph not only avenges a previous semifinal defeat to Saskatchewan in 2021 but also denies Saskatchewan a chance at a Canadian football championship trifecta, with the Roughriders and Saskatoon Hilltops having secured titles earlier in the month.