(Quebec) The Western University Mustangs defeated the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 27-21 on Saturday to win the 56e Vanier Cup final.
Griffin Campbell caught two touchdown passes for the Mustangs, who lifted the Vanier Cup for the eighth time in their history.
“To have been able to play the season, to have participated in the Vanier Cup final and to be crowned champions after all that we have been through during the pandemic, it shows the resilience of our team”, affirmed the Western University head coach Greg Marshall.
The Huskies led 12-10 at the half, but the Mustangs then upped their game on a chilly afternoon at Laval University’s Telus Stadium in Quebec City.
Campbell caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Evan Hillock early in the second half to give the Mustangs a lead the Mustangs have never lost.
PHOTO ERICK LABBÉ, THE SUN
Hillock, who was named the game’s MVP after completing 18 of 29 passes for 274 yards, also joined Campbell for a 17-yard major on the final play of the third quarter.
“I don’t think I’ve been sacked this season and my offensive line continued its great work today,” said Hillock.
Huskies head coach Scott Flory said his team missed a few chances.
“We weren’t able to find our traction at the end of the third quarter and it led to some big plays on their side,” observed Flory.
Brian Garrity posted a 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to put Western University up to 27-14.
Josh Ewanchyna crossed the lone yard to the end zone for a touchdown with 32 seconds left in the game, but the Huskies were unable to recover the short kick. The Mustangs were able to elapse the last seconds.
Huskies running back Adam Machart, who is part of Canada’s first all-star team, was limited to 78 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Mason Nyhus had 28 of 40 passes for 303 yards with a touchdown pass.
“Our defensive line did quite a job against a very good offensive line,” Marshall insisted.
As the field was icy and hard, Trey Humes returned the game’s first kickoff for 33 yards to give the Mustangs good positioning on the field.
Less than three minutes later, Humes had a 25-yard run to register the first major in the clash.
The Huskies had to wait until their third possession to score points. David Solie hit a 26-yard precision punt to close the lead to 7-3.
The Saskatchewan squad took a 9-7 lead with 9:57 remaining in the first half. Daniel Perry grabbed a 22-yard touchdown pass in the end zone, but the one-point convert was missed.
Garrity put in a 23-yard field goal late in the second quarter to give the Mustangs a 10-9 lead, but Solie responded for the Huskies by sending the ball between the posts for 24 yards.
Daniel Valente Jr. of Western University was named the defensive player of the game.
It was the Mustangs’ first Vanier Cup victory since their victory over the Laval University Rouge et Or in Hamilton in 2017.