Carabins capture third Vanier Cup with commanding victory over Huskies

The Université de Montréal Carabins are once again at the summit of Canadian university football.

Led by a masterful performance from quarterback "Pepe" Gonzalez – named the national rookie of the year on Thursday - the Carabins defeated the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 30-16 on a crisp, sunny Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium to claim the 60th Vanier Cup, the program's third national championship.

Before an announced crowd of 8,896 fans, the Carabins' offence was both potent and precise, while their defence consistently stifled the Huskies. Gonzalez, named the Ted Morris Trophy winner as the game's most valuable player, orchestrated the victory flawlessly, completing 27 of 33 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

Montreal's special teams also etched their names into the record book. Kicker Philippe Boyer set a new Vanier Cup record by scoring three rouges, a unique and often decisive part of the Canadian game. Boyer also added two field goals and three converts to finish with a game-high 12 points.

The game began with a special teams point, as Boyer's opening kickoff resulted in a rouge for a 1-0 lead. He would add a 24-yard field goal later in the first quarter before Saskatchewan responded with a 20-yard field goal from Lukas Scott, making it 4-3 after the opening frame.

Montreal seized control in the second quarter. Gonzalez connected with Brandon Gourgon on a spectacular 41-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead. Saskatchewan answered with a gritty 4-yard touchdown run by Ryker Frank and a subsequent single on the kickoff to close the gap to 11-10, but the Carabins never relinquished the lead. Boyer added a late field goal to send Montreal into halftime up 15-11.

The Carabins put the game out of reach in the second half. After a Saskatchewan field goal, Gonzalez engineered a 94-yard drive capped by a 32-yard touchdown strike to Hassane Dosso. He then put the final nail in the coffin with a 7-yard TD pass to Simon Larose in the fourth quarter. Larose was Gonzalez's favourite target, hauling in nine passes for 136 yards and a score.

Saskatchewan's only points of the second half came from a safety touch.

While Gonzalez headlined the offence, the Bruce Coulter Award for the game's top defensive player went to Montreal cornerback Louis-Philippe Gauthier, who had a key first-quarter interception and six total tackles.

The victory solidifies Montreal's status as a national powerhouse, adding the 2025 title to their previous championships won in 2014 and 2023, as they finish the season with a 10-2 record (6-2 RSEQ). For the Huskies, the loss in their home province concludes a stellar season that fell just short of the ultimate prize. They also close the year with a 10-2 record (7-1 CW).