Montreal’s Carabins achieved redemption in championship football on Saturday by clinching the 60th Vanier Cup with a decisive 30-16 win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
The victory for the University of Montreal’s team came shortly after the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes fell to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Grey Cup final.
Led by U Sports rookie of the year Pepe Gonzalez, the Carabin offense showcased an impressive aerial display throughout the game. Gonzalez’s stellar performance included passing for 344 yards and connecting with Brandon Gourgon, Hassane Dosso, and Simon Larose for touchdowns, securing Montreal’s third national title and second in the past three years.
Gonzalez attributed some of their success to the unexpected warm weather in Regina, saying, “We were prepared for any weather… and yeah, I think we were blessed to have this amazing weather, for sure.”
The quarterback’s outstanding play earned him the title of the game’s most valuable player, with head coach Marco Iadeluca praising Gonzalez’s composure and skill on the field.
The game, held at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium, was a significant event as the first Vanier Cup hosted by Regina and only the second ever played in the province. The win marked the fourth consecutive national championship for a Quebec-based program, following Laval’s victories in 2024 and 2022.
However, the Montreal victory was not without controversy, with a disputed call in the first half causing tensions between the teams and spectators. Despite the debate, the Carabins maintained their lead and ultimately outperformed the Huskies in the second half.
The game concluded with Montreal’s triumph, leaving the Huskies with their seventh consecutive Vanier Cup loss since their last championship in 1998.
