As the University of Saskatchewan Huskies gear up for the Vanier Cup this Saturday, their quarterback, Jake Farrell, is drawing strength from a unique and valuable connection. Farrell, who is set to start in his first-ever national championship game, has been receiving mentorship from Ryan Reid, the Huskies' quarterback who led the team to its last Vanier Cup victory back in 1998.
A Friendship Forged on Kalamalka Lake
The bond between the two athletes was formed far from the football field, on the picturesque shores of Kalamalka Lake in Coldstream, British Columbia. Both Farrell and Reid have summer homes on the lake, located about 35 kilometres south of Kelowna. It was during the warm Okanagan summer that their friendship blossomed through shared activities like wake surfing and, inevitably, conversations about football.
The connection was initiated last summer when Farrell's father, Jason, reached out to Reid through a mutual friend from their hometown of Moose Jaw. After an initial lunch at a local pub, Jason introduced his son to the former champion quarterback on the beach, sparking a mentorship that has proven invaluable during this crucial playoff run.
Championship Wisdom Passed Down
For Farrell, having Reid as a sounding board in the lead-up to the biggest game of his university career has been a significant advantage. Reid was the starting quarterback for the Huskies from 1997 to 2000 and knows exactly what it takes to win on the national stage.
"I've been able to communicate with him this past week, and he's been able to give me a lot of helpful tips," Farrell said. "Obviously with him being the last quarterback to win here, he has so many great tips to pass on to me, so I'm very grateful for the relationship I've been able to build with him."
The advice Reid is sharing has its own prestigious lineage. Reid himself received guidance on preparing for championship games from his own quarterback coach, Ken O'Brien, a former NFL starter for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. The core of that advice, which Reid is now passing to Farrell, is to "relax and take everything in stride."
Embracing the Moment and a New Role
Reid emphasized the importance of perspective for the young quarterback. "The advice that I gave him, that was given to me, was just to enjoy the moment first of all," Reid explained. "And embrace it, because no matter what happens in the game, you've done an amazing job and you've accomplished so much more than I think even you expected to."
Farrell's journey to the Vanier Cup is a story of seizing an unexpected opportunity. He stepped into the starting role after Week 5 when the original starting quarterback, Anton Amundrud, left the team after being diagnosed with cancer. Since taking over, Farrell has led the Huskies to six consecutive victories, including a decisive 22-11 win over Queen's University in the Mitchell Bowl this past weekend.
Reid also noted the differences in their playing styles, describing himself as a more traditional, larger-bodied pocket passer who relied on arm strength and a quick release. In contrast, he sees Farrell as a modern, mobile quarterback who effectively uses his legs as a weapon, a skill set that has been crucial to the Huskies' successful season.
The Huskies will face the Montreal Carabins for the national title on Saturday in Regina, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m., as Farrell looks to emulate his mentor and bring the Vanier Cup back to Saskatchewan.
