SaskatchewanThe Huskies take on the Montreal Carabins in the Vanier Cup Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina (1p.m. CST on CBC). Saskatchewan team will make its 12th appearance in the Vanier CupScott Larson · CBC News · Posted: Nov 20, 2025 7:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 6 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.University of Saskatchewan Huskies defensive back John Stoll is soaking up the last week of his university football career. (Electric Umbrella/Derek Elvin)As the clock winds down on his university football career, John Stoll is trying to savour every moment.“I’ve just really, really been able to live and embrace the little things, the (practice) walkthroughs, the meetings and everything,” said Stoll, a fifth-year defensive back with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.Stoll and his teammates take on the Montreal Carabins in the Vanier Cup Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina (1 p.m. CST on CBC).“I think that’s been something that I couldn’t do before because it’s not as present and front of mind,” Stoll said. “But then this last one, I’ll enjoy everything right up to the final whistle.”This will be the Huskies’ third trip to the Vanier Cup in the last five years.Stoll was just a rookie when the team played in 2021 (a 27-21 loss to Western) and then again in 2022, when they lost 30-24 to Laval Rouge et Or.WATCH | Stakes high as Huskies prep for Vanier Cup:Stakes high as U of S Huskies prep for Vanier CupThe University of Saskatchewan Huskies defeated the Queen’s University Gaels 22-11 in Saturday’s Mitchell Bowl, securing their ticket to the national championship Vanier Cup. They’ll face the Montreal Carabins at Mosaic Stadium on Nov. 22.“I didn’t realize how big it was to make one, because the work that I had to put in was not the same amount of work that those (veteran) guys that got us there put in,” he said.Now that he’s the veteran, Stoll is more appreciative of the work needed to get to a Vanier Cup.“You have got to appreciate how much work you put in, the 365 days that you waited to get to this moment, and really embrace that all that work is actually paying off,” he said.The University of Saskatchewan Huskies’ Charlie Parks (99) is nominated for USports lineman of the year. (Photo Electric Umbrella/Derek Elvin)HomecomingWhile both teams must travel to Regina for the Vanier Cup, for some of the Huskies it’s a homecoming game.“It feels like an absolute fairy tale to me,” said Huskies defensive lineman Charlie Parks, who is from Regina.“I’ve got my whole family, my friends, my friends’ families, and they’re gonna have our backs. And it’s just, it’s so special.”Parks grew up listening to his uncle Brent Dancey talk about his time playing for the Dogs, including being part of the last Huskies team to win the Vanier Cup in 1998.“I grew up hearing about how awesome playing in the Vanier Cup was,” said Parks. “And you know, the second I came here, I just knew, like, I’m going to win a championship here.”Huskies defensive back Anesu Latmore (13) transferred to the Huskies this season from Waterloo University. (Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards)Defensive back Anesu Latmore, who transferred from Waterloo this year, said this is a veteran group that doesn’t shrink from the big moments.“We don’t get, like, starstruck at the moment or anything,” Latmore said. “It’s just be calm, relax and just execute like we’ve been doing it all season.”All three anticipate a tough, physical match against Montreal.But that’s the type of game they look forward to most, Parks said.“We’re just a bunch of tough, hard-nosed blue collar guys,” Parks said. “That’s our identity and that just lets us play tough. We play like our identity.”Stoll said the defence goes into every week with the mindset that if the opposition doesn’t score, they can’t win.“We’ve got 12 dudes out there that really like playing the game of football and really like playing the game of football hard,” he said. University of Saskatchewan Huskies head coach Scott Flory will lead his team into the Vanier Cup against the Montreal Carabins. (Photo Electric Umbrella/Derek Elvin)1998 connectionsHuskies head coach Scott Flory was also part of the 1998 winning team before going on to an all-star career in the CFL.He sees a lot of similarities between the two teams.“I just remember the focus of the team. I remember a team that was a little bit on a mission,” Flory said.“There was a core group of fifth-year guys that we had back then that I think we see that now, as well. They are playing with an edge and are leading that locker room.”Flory said this group is much more athletic than the 1998 team, “but I think if you look at the fabric of the program and the fabric of the guys and the team, it’s not that dissimilar.”U of S Huskies quarterback Jake Farrell will make his first appearance in a Vanier Cup this year. (Photo Electric Umbrella/Derek Elvin)Huskies quarterback Jake Farrell also has a connection with 1998 Huskies QB Ryan Reid, having a family cabin near where Reid lives in B.C.“I’ve been able to communicate with [Reid] this past week and he’s been able to give me a lot of helpful tips,” said Farrell, who is starting in place of Anton Amundrud, who is undergoing cancer treatment.“I’m very grateful for the relationship I’ve been able to build with [Reid].”Farrell said they are in for a tough match, but he doesn’t expect the Huskies to change the way they have played all season.“We’re just going to play our brand of football, just play the Huskie way.”Saskatchewan dominanceIf the Huskies win, it would mean Saskatchewan teams have won all of the major Canadian football championships.The Saskatoon Valkyries hoisted the Western Women’s Canadian Football League trophy in June, defeating the host Edmonton Arctic Pride 28-0. The Saskatoon Hilltops won the Canadian Junior Football Championship, beating the Okanagan Sun 21-18.And the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the Grey Cup, defeating the Montreal Alouettes 25-17.Huskie notes: This will be Saskatchewan’s 12th appearance in the Vanier Cup.The Huskies have won it three times (1990, 1996 and 1998).But they are winless in their last six trips to the final, the latest being in 2022, when they lost 30-24 to Laval.Only two athletes have been the MVP of the Vanier Cup twice. They are Western’s Bill Rozalowsky (1976, 1977) and the U of S Huskies quarterback Brent Schneider (1994, 1996).ABOUT THE AUTHORScott Larson works for CBC News in Saskatoon. scott.larson@cbc.ca
U of S Huskies veterans aim to go out on a winning note in Vanier Cup
