Huskies Face Carabins in Vanier Cup Amid Star QB’s Health Battle
The stage is set for one of the most emotional Vanier Cup matchups in recent memory as the Saskatchewan Huskies prepare to face the Montreal Carabins on Saturday. But this isn’t just any championship game. The Huskies are navigating a deeply personal challenge: their star quarterback, Anton Amundrud, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, and the impact of his illness has been felt across the entire team.
Amundrud, a 23-year-old fourth-year player from Lloydminster, Alta., had to step away from the active roster early in the season after Week 5 due to illness. The diagnosis came as a shock to the team and left Huskies head coach Scott Flory grappling with how to balance the weight of Saturday’s championship with the gravity of the news. “Last week was really heavy. It was a bit of a blur, to be honest with you,” Flory said. He recalled the difficult moment when he had to break the news to the players, who were preparing for the Mitchell Bowl against Queen’s. “All our thoughts are just with Anton, and so I think we know that as an athlete, you’ve got to compartmentalize things,” he added.
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With Amundrud sidelined, backup quarterback Jake Farrell has stepped in and hasn’t looked back. Entering the Vanier Cup, Farrell boasts a perfect 6-0 record as a starter. Still, he admits the last two months have been overwhelming, leaving little time for reflection. “I think that’s kind of an off-season thing when you get to sit back and reminisce. Right now, we’re just all in the moment,” Farrell said.
On the other side, the Montreal Carabins will be led by quarterback Pepe Gonzalez, who was recognized as U Sports’ rookie of the year. The game carries added intrigue because of recent history: just days earlier, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 in the 112th Grey Cup. Carabins head coach Marco Iadeluco acknowledged the storyline, noting that players have drawn comparisons to the Grey Cup rematch, but emphasized the importance of focusing on their own preparation. Receiver Brandon Gourgon echoed the sentiment, saying, “It’s going to be all about us.”
Despite the personal challenges, the Huskies remain determined to honor Amundrud and cap off their season with a national championship. Running back Ryker Frank, who will play his final university football game in his hometown of Regina, summed it up best: “We know the circumstances, but at the same time, we just have to focus on football.”
As Saturday approaches, the Vanier Cup promises to be more than just a battle on the field—it’s a story of resilience, team spirit, and the unifying power of sport in the face of adversity. The Huskies and Carabins are ready to give it everything, and fans are in for a memorable showdown.
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