Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies came into the 60th Vanier Cup with an opportunity to win their first national championship in nearly three decades.
The game was in their home province — playing in Regina’s Mosaic Stadium in front of just under 9,000 fans. This was the same stadium that houses the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, who beat the Montreal Alouettes to win the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg just six days earlier.
It had the makings of something special — a chance to proclaim Saskatchewan’s dominance in Canadian football this year, and win the national championship, something the team has not done since 1998.
Instead, the province of Quebec got its revenge.
WATCH | Carabins hoist Vanier Cup in Regina:The Montreal Carabins celebrate their victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies.The Université de Montréal Carabins beat the Huskies 30-16 Saturday afternoon. For the Carabins, it was a statement victory — claiming its second Vanier Cup in three years, asserting the football program as one of the strongest in the country.
The Huskies, back in the national final for the third time in five years, trailed the entire game, starting from a rouge on the kickoff. It was the play of the Carabins' rookie quarterback Pepe Gonzalez, dissecting the Huskies’ defence that secured his team the victory, especially in the second half of the game.
“I think in the second half, we had the same look and we took it,” Gonzalez said. “That’s what made the difference.”
‘We leaned on each other’Huskies quarterback Jake Farrell says the loss hurts because the team had fallen short after a challenging season.
“This whole season has been a lot of adversity for us,” Farrell said. “We leaned on each other and never flinched for a second.”
Farrell had to step up to take on the role of starting quarterback from Anton Amundrud, who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. Farrell says the team was really wanted to bring home the championship for him.
"He's our starter and we love him so much," Farrell said.
WATCH | Huskies quarterback Jake Farrell talks team's motivation to win for Anton Amundrud:Saskatchewan signal caller Jake Farrell sits down with Arash Madani to discuss the mindset going into the 2025 Vanier Cup and how his teammate Anton Amundrud, who is currently undergoing treatment for lymphoma, is supporting the team.Head coach Scott Flory said his players fought through many challenges on their way to playing on the national stage.
“People really don't understand how much we've been through this year,” Flory said.
Despite Saturday's loss, he said there is a lot for the team to be proud of when reflecting on the season.
"Just the pride of these young men and how hard they fought — that's what sports are about," Flory said.
Huskie’s running back Ryker Frank, who got the team’s only touchdown, said the team’s bond was its greatest strength.
“I don't think we would have made it this far if it wasn't for the love we have for each other.”
‘Once a Husky, always a Husky’For many on the field Saturday, the game marked the end of their tenures with the university. One of those players is linebacker Seth Hundeby. He said the results don’t change what the program has meant to him.
“I'm really grateful for how many games I got to play with this group," Hundeby said. "I wouldn't change anything for the world.”
A prayer circle with some of the Huskies players following their loss in the Vanier Cup. (Jeffery Tram/CBC)Receiver Daniel Wiebe, another one of the several outgoing veterans, said standing on the national stage alongside teammates he respected meant everything.
“I'm proud of the guys, happy I got to play with them.”
Hundeby said his dedication to the green and white won’t end with the final whistle.
“Once a Husky, always a Husky, and I'm gonna come to these games and I'm gonna keep supporting the fellas. ”