Huskies quarterback Amundrud cleared for return after cancer battle

Training camp is nothing new for Anton Amundrud, who is going through the early season meetings and drills on the field at Griffiths Stadium for the fifth year in a row.

But this year’s camp has come with added gratitude and reflection for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies quarterback, after a battle with cancer left him wondering if he’d get the chance to ever play football again.

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“It’s surreal,” Amundrud said. “I didn’t know if I’d be here or not, but we’re here.”

Amundrud is taking snaps again on his home field after what can only be described as a harrowing nine months, which tested the fifth-year senior on every physical and mental level.

Last fall, Amundrud established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country as part of a 4-1 start to the season with 1,604 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

But in October, Amundrud stepped away from the team to deal with a series of medical issues which were eventually diagnosed as T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

What followed was months of hospital stays, tests and rounds of aggressive chemotherapy to tackle the disease.

In April, Amundrud was told his cancer had entered remission. That kick-started his path back to the gridiron, which has resulted in the fifth-year senior being medically cleared to play for the Huskies starting on Thursday night in a pre-season tilt against the Alberta Golden Bears.

“I’m antsy. I’m excited to get out here and get going,” Amundrud said.

“I feel like a little kid at Christmas, just being back out here with the guys and waiting for this first pre-season game against Alberta.”

Huskies head coach Scott Flory said it’s been a huge boost to the rest of the team to have Amundrud back on the field practicing after an uncertain nine months of worrying about his starting quarterback’s health.

“All roads lead through #11 right now,” Flory said.

“With having Anton back, it’s just different with him. He’s playing phenomenal, literally a new lease on life. The kid is taking advantage of every moment.”

Amundrud has served as a mentor for fellow quarterback Jake Farrell, who took over behind centre for the team over the second half of the season and led the Huskies to a spot in the 2025 Vanier Cup.

He said the impact of Amundrud being back around the group can’t be understated.

“It’s unreal,” Farrell said. “He’s an ultimate leader on this team. We gravitate towards him. In my position, I really look up to him and the things he’s got to teach me.”

The road back to the football field has been long and arduous for the Lloydminster player, who lost 40 pounds of weight and muscle over the course of his illness and treatment.

In just a five-month span, Amundrud has rebuilt his body to the point where he can stand in the pocket comfortably again.

“Starting the off-season I was down to 170 (pounds), so probably what I was when I was in Grade 9,” Amundrud said. “I got back up to 205 here for training camp.”

Amundrud credited much of that recovery work to the Huskies’ conditioning coach Joel Lipinski and physiotherapist Steph Peppler, who put a plan in place to get is body ready for the physical toll a Canada West football season.

“They got me right,” Amundrud said. “They got me back to being able to play and I’m super grateful.”

The bulk of Amundrud’s work getting back to playing form has come over the last few months. He said his body needed time to recover from the trauma it underwent during his rounds of chemotherapy.

“It was just taking it easy, taking it slow,” Amundrud said.

“Making sure I’m not overdoing it or pushing my body past its limits at the start of recovery. It was a lot of resting early in the off-season, but then as we got near April it was starting to ramp things up.”

Flory has seen hundreds of Huskies athletes recover from injuries over the years, but said he’s been especially taken aback by how good Amundrud looks at training camp.

“He kind of got his toe wet a little bit in the spring, but then coming out here fully clear, taking everything, and just taking command and control. That’s what fifth-year quarterbacks do,” Flory said.

Amundrud saw an outpouring of support in the days and weeks following the announcement of his diagnosis, including a GoFundMe page which raised more than $68,000 for his family to cover hospital visits and expenses incurred during his recovery.

With his return to game action looming, Amundrud said this training camp has allowed him to look back on not only the last nine months, but the entirety of his university career.

“A lot through the off-season, I did a lot of reflecting,” Amundrud said. “To think of where I came from the COVID year in 2020 to where I am now, and the people that have helped me along this journey, it’s just been super reflective.”

When asked about his own hunger to help the Huskies finish the job and finally win their first Vanier Cup since 1998, Amundrud pointed to a roster which has come agonizingly close to glory over the past half decade.

“This whole group is hungry,” Amundrud said.

“In the last five years or so, we’ve come short of three Vanier (Cups). We know how hungry we are. A lot of these guys want it bad. We know it’s not going to come today. It’s going to take it day by day. It takes a lot to get there, but we got the group for it.”

Amundrud will re-take his place as QB1 on the depth chart this season, according to Flory, who called his starting pivot a Hec Crighton Trophy favourite for U Sports’ most valuable player last season before he was forced to step away from the game.

Flory said Amundrud looks ready to compete ahead of his fifth and final year of eligibility in a Huskies uniform.

“I’m super proud of him, and can’t wait to see him perform on the field,” Flory said. “I know he can’t wait either.”

Preparing to take his first snap in 11 months on Thursday against the Golden Bears, it’s a second chance at football which Amundrud is taking advantage of, while surrounded by his friends and teammates which have helped him get back to a normal life between the lines at Griffiths Stadium.

“I’m feeling back to myself and I’m feeling great,” Amundrud said. “It’s going to be a fun season.”

University of Saskatchewan Huskies quarterback Jake Farrell started six regular-season and playoff games last season, including the 2026 Vanier Cup in Regina. (Nob1urs Photography/Huskie Athletics)

Farrell flush with confidence in 2026

While the surroundings are familiar for Farrell at Huskies camp, the third-year pivot is in a much different place in his career than he was a year ago.

Farrell became the offensive engine for the Huskies after Amundrud’s departure, making the most of his first seven starts at the U Sports level with 1,426 yards passing, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions.

That included wins in the 2025 Hardy Cup and 2025 Mitchell Bowl over the Regina Rams and Queen’s Gaels, before falling 30-16 to the Montreal Carabins in the Vanier Cup.

Farrell said that experience is something he can lean on this Canada West season if he’s called into action.

“You prepare like you’re the starter each and every week,” Farrell said.

“Getting those reps was huge. I think most of all, just being grateful to play.”

Watching from a distance, Amundrud said Farrell was able to take the reigns of the program and, as a result, has become a leader in the locker room.

“His confidence has stepped up a bunch,” Amundrud said.

“He’s more of a vocal guy now. He’s a leader on this team and he’s been a stud. When he came in last year, he did his thing and he got us to the Vanier. I couldn’t say enough good things about Jake. He’s a beast.”

Following his breakout season, Farrell accepted an opportunity to practice alongside the Saskatchewan Roughriders during their training camp this spring as part of the CFL’s QB internship program.

While Flory did not outright name Farrell as the backup quarterback heading into the season, with competition at the position ahead in training camp, he did say the Saskatoon product has settled into a groove.

“Any time you can start bowl games and a Vanier Cup, you’re going to have great comfort,” Flory said.

“He’s been there. He’s been through the fire and knows what he needs to do to be able to lead this team.”

If Amundrud is able to make a fully healthy return in 2026, Farrell will likely see less of the field for the Huskies compared to his run as starter last season.

That’s alright in Farrell’s books, though, as his focus is on supporting Amundrud where needed, and being ready if his number comes up again.

“How can I impact this team in every single way I can?” Farrell said. “Whether that’s on the field or I’m on the bench, just trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can.”

The Huskies welcome the Golden Bears to Griffiths Stadium for their lone pre-season game on Thursday, with a 7 p.m. kickoff.