Nyhus is “the face” of Huskie Athletics at U of S

Fifth-year QB candidate for Hec Crighton Trophy

Mason Nyhus warms up for the 2021 Canada West final.

Mason Nyhus is achieving a rarity for a Canadian university sports athlete these days – he is becoming well known.

Nyhus is the fifth-year star quarterback for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team, and since seemingly Week 2 of the U Sports regular season, the 24-year-old’s name has been mentioned as a candidate for the Hec Crighton Trophy, which is given to the U Sports football player of the year.

In the Huskies 5-0 start, Nyhus, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 215 pounds, has been impressive playing out his final season of U Sports eligibility. He has completed 126-of-186 passes for 1,729 yards and 11 touchdowns, while throwing just one interception.

Nyhus is “the face” of Huskie Athletics, and in today’s media cut era in Canada that is a major accomplishment.

There was time it used to be common knowledge to know who the starting quarterback of the Huskies was in the city of Saskatoon, and often the Huskies starting quarterback was decently known on the national stage. That was true of the Huskies three Vanier Cup quarterbacks in David Earl in 1990, Brent Schneider in 1996 and Ryan Reid in 1998.

When Earl, Schneider and Reid played, the number of people working in the sports media industry in Canada was about five to seven times larger than it is today.

In the last 12 years, it can be argued that Nyhus is the first athlete the Huskies have had over that time frame that can be viewed as the face of the overall athletics program. The Huskies have actually had tonnes of great athletes over that period of time, but they never seemed to gain a huge face of notoriety.

Mason Nyhus rolls out of the pocket for the Huskies.

Some of those athletes include Derek Hulak from the Huskies Men’s Hockey Team, Dalyce Emmerson of the Huskies Women’s Basketball Team, Kaitlin Willoughby from the Huskies Women’s Hockey Team, Libby Epoch of the Huskies Women’s Basketball Team, Tyler Chow from the Huskies Football Team and Michelle Harrison of the Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team.

It should be noted that Willoughby was a celebrity in her hometown of Prince Albert as her supporters from that centre often inflated page views for any stories that were done about her.

Arguably, the most famous Huskies athlete since 2010 might have been Huskies Men’s Hockey Team heart and soul gritty forward Cody Smuk, who everyone was pulling for as he battled cancer before passing away in June of 2015.

From the start of this season, Nyhus has been the name you associate with the Huskies, but even that hasn’t always been that way.

In 2016, Nyhus arrived on campus from the Riffel High School Royals football team as the gem of the final recruiting class brought in by now retired Huskies head coach and Canadian Football Hall of Fame member Brian Towriss. He was hyped as the signal caller that could potential take the Huskies, who haven’t won the Vanier Cup as U Sports champions since 1998, all the way one day.

Playing behind veterans Kyle Siemens and Drew Burko, Nyhus was a red-shirt in his first campaign. He was the team’s backup quarterback in 2017 and 2018, when the Huskies won their first Hardy Cup as Canada West Conference Champions since 2006.

Mason Nyhus (#8) stays composed under pressure.

Due to his athletic ability, Nyhus attended the CFL training camp of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018 and the Calgary Stampeders in 2019 under the Canadian quarterback internship program. He had two CFL training camps under his belt before getting his first start with the Huskies.

In his third year of eligibility in 2019, Nyhus had a strong season in his first campaign as a starter quarterbacking the Huskies to a second place finish in Canada West with a 5-3 mark. The Huskies fell in the Canada West final to the eventual Vanier Cup champion University of Calgary Dinos 29-4 in Calgary.

During that season, Nyhus was often the Huskies version of legendary NFL gunslinger Brett Favre. Nyhus was arguable the Huskies most exciting player that could deliver win, but he would also try to force some plays that weren’t there.

Nyhus and the Huskies weren’t able to hit the field in 2020 as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic took hold in the world causing the Canada West season and all U Sports nationals to be canceled for the 2020-21 campaign.

That led to a 2021 season where Nyhus and the Huskies football team etched a place on the national scene. In an abbreviated six game regular season, Nyhus quarterbacked the Huskies to a first place finish in the Canada West Conference with a 5-1 record.

He was named the all-star quarterback in Canada West completing 109-of-187 passes for 1,653 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions.

Mason Nyhus sets to make a throw from the pocket.

During that season, Nyhus was often the Huskies version of “the goat” Tom Brady. Nyhus was poised and efficient, and he possessed a swagger where you felt the Huskies were going to win game in and game out no matter what happened on the field.

The tutelage of current Huskies head coach Scott Flory showed through on the field.

In the Hardy Cup hosted at Griffiths Stadium, Nyhus and the Huskies bombed the University of Manitoba Bisons 45-17.

The Huskies followed that win up taking a 14-10 thrilling finish in the Uteck Bowl over the Universite de Montreal Carabins at The CEPSUM in Montreal, Quebec. In that contest, star running back Adam Machart made an electrifying 13-yard touchdown run to with the game with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. That play became an all-time storied moment in the history of the Huskies program.

The Huskies advanced to the Vanier Cup for the first time since 2006 to take on the University of Western Ontario Mustangs at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec. The London, Ont., based Mustangs took that contest 27-21.

Nyhus completed 28-of-40 passes in that contest for 303 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

By the end of that 2021 playoff run, Machart and then fifth-year utility player Colton Klassen had become household names for the Huskies too. Both became known players on the national stage along with Nyhus.

Mason Nyhus has the Huskies out to a 5-0 start this season.

The profile of those players was helped due to the U Sports semifinal bowl games being streamed on CBC’s online platforms and the Vanier Cup being showed on CBC’s main television station nationally.

If it hadn’t been for graduation, Klassen could have been a household name known nationally for the Huskies in 2022.

Machart was eligible to return for one more U Sports season. He announced his retirement from the game this past April 28 and opted out of the CFL Draft held in early May.

Machart moved to Kelowna, B.C., after the Huskies season ended in December of 2021 and became heavily involved with a family-run supplement store in that centre. As a result of that development and still being healthy with no major injuries, Machart elected to focus on that part of his life.

That left Nyhus as the big returning name for the Huskies in 2022. So far during the U Sports season, it has been common to hear some CFL fans state they would like to see Nyhus, who is also a four time U Sports academic all-Canadian, throwing passes professionally in Canada.

With their 2021 playoff run, the Huskies were able to capture the attention of people that wouldn’t normally follow U Sports football or U Sports in general. When someone mention’s University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Mason Nyhus’s name is the first that comes to mind.

Mason Nyhus has passed for 1,729 yards in five games in 2022.

While one can lament it took until Nyhus’s final U Sports season for him to become “the face” of Huskie Athletics, this might be the time to take the glass half full approach.

The Huskies have a star and marketable athlete in Nyhus, who still has three more regular season games to play including two at home. 

The next game will be a rivalry tilt against the 4-1 University of Regina Rams to be held Saturday, October 15 at 1 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium to determine top spot in the Canada West Conference.

Following the regular season, Nyhus could potentially play in four post-season contests including two games at home. On top of that, he is a great role model for younger players.

Nyhus is the type of player that the office staff with Huskie Athletics could conduct a Hec Crighton Trophy type hype campaign similar to campaigns seen in the top level of NCAA football for the Heisman Trophy, which is award to the most valuable player in U.S. college football.

There is still time to enjoy seeing Nyhus throwing passes for the Huskies, so it would be advisable for any type of sports followers to go out and see him play while they still can. 

Mason Nyhus and the Huskies celebrate a Hardy Cup win in 2021.

Unfortunately for players like Nyhus, it seems like their time with teams like the Huskies flies by way too fast.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Great culture powers 2021 return for football Huskies

Memorable campaign culminates in Vanier Cup appearance

The Huskies won the Hardy Cup as Canada West champions.

Everybody wanted to be there.

That in a nutshell was the intangible that allowed the U Sports football season to go for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. 

Of course, you can nitpick and drop names of players that didn’t return to the Huskies after a season off in 2020. The Canada West Conference season was cancelled and no U Sports nationals were held in 2020-21 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

When it game to the Huskies, the bottom line is a significant number of veterans felt so attached to the program that they were going to help the team return to the field no matter what happened.

In September and October of 2020, the Huskies held regular practices even though they weren’t going to play a meaningful game that year. They wanted to be prepared for the next season whenever it might come.

The Dogs took advantage of expanded practice regulations and staged workouts through the summer hoping they would get the chance to step on the field for game action in September.

When the Huskies gathered for training camp back on Sept. 1, there were no guarantees the football season would be seen to its conclusion.

They ultimately did see the football portion of the U Sports season to its end falling 27-21 to the University of Western Ontario Mustangs in the Vanier Cup championship game at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec, before 5,840 spectators last Saturday.

The 2021 campaign was a memorable one just from the fact the Huskies advanced to the U Sports title game for the first time since 2006. The icing on the cake would have been a victory in the Vanier Cup, which is something the Huskies last achieved back in 1998.

Adam Machart had a forever memorable run for the Huskies.

The Huskies don’t get to the Vanier Cup unless they had a large group of people that still wanted to be with the team, when the squad was grinding through those practice sessions in 2020 and the workouts the team staged this past summer.

On top of that, the players spend countless hours on their own individual workout sessions away from team activities to ensure they had the physical conditioning to play the next season whenever it game.

You don’t do all those things unless you truly enjoy being a part of that team and being part of the Huskies is a huge positive thing in your life.

Basically, the culture and atmosphere on the Huskies was so good that those who were apart of the program wanted to come back to it even if it meant jumping hurdles of unforeseen world events that came their way.

The Huskies had seven players return to play their fifth and final seasons of U Sports eligibility in Colton Klassen, Clovis Lumeka, Kyle Newton, Carter Dahl, Finley Easton, Nick Summach and Yol Piok, who were all played out their fifth and final seasons of eligibility.

Klassen came back from a gruesome dislocated right ankle near the end of the first quarter in a 22-9 victory over the University of Alberta Golden Bears back in October 26, 2019.

Piok became a mental health advocate after coming forward with his own story of his battles with mental health.

Ultimately, all seven of those players brought special aspects that helped the team in 2021.

A whole host of other key veterans returned including Mason Nyhus, Adam Machart, Connor Berglof, Noah Zerr, Riley Pickett, Nathan Cherry, Jonathan Leggett, Tom Whiting, Charlie Ringland and David Solie. All the returning players played a part in making the Huskies motor along.

Colton Klassen had a great final season with the Huskies.

Head coach Scott Flory and pretty much his entire coaching staff came back. Flory deservedly received the coach of the year nod for the Canada West Conference.

The Huskies again received outstanding contributions from defensive coordinator Warren Muzika and special team coordinator Jerry Friesen. The rest of the assistant coaches performed at a top level and that added to the atmosphere that kept the players connected to the team.

Support staff like team manager Andrea Eccleston, assistant equipment manager Jay Starecki and hydrologist Tom Benson were again outstanding in thankless roles behind the scenes. They’re always positive and always seem to be having good days.

Also behind the scenes, the parents group has been super valuable as a support system for the players and team, especially when an emotional pick up is needed. Candice Klassen, who is Colton Klassen’s mom, did unbelievable amounts of work with the parents group over the years, and she was huge in making Huskies football feel like family.

It shouldn’t be noted lots of newcomers were key contributors on and off the field.

On the field, the Huskies made news when middle linebacker Nick Wiebe transferred from the University of Oregon Ducks of the NCAA Division I ranks to the Huskies. 

While the Huskies are deep at linebacker, Wiebe’s addition still increased the talent level at that position with his addition.

First year players in running back Ryker Frank and outside linebacker Lane Novak were already making big plays and the impacts they could potentially have on the Huskies program in years to come can be huge.

Clovis Lumeka suited up for a solid five seasons for the Huskies.

The Huskies had a totally new group of student trainers from the last time they took the field in 2019, and the new group including Madison Corrin, Jon Gough, Ashlyn Taillon, Rourke Wunder-Buhr and Joshua Sauverwald did stellar working helping players persevere through injuries.

Still when the games started to happen, the Huskies had to wonder where they would stack up with everyone as rosters of the various Canada West teams were shuffled.

After beating the University of Manitoba Bisons 31-14 in an exhibition game on Sept. 18 at Griffiths Stadium, the Huskies opened the regular season on Sept. 25 falling 34-20 in Calgary to the University of Calgary Dinos.

The Dinos won the Vanier Cup in 2019, so there had to be some uncertainty of just how good could the 2021 campaign could be.

The Dinos ultimately missed the playoffs posting a 2-4 record in a regular season that was shortened from eight games to six games for each team.

The Huskies proceeded to win eight straight games finishing first in the Canada West Conference and advancing to the Vanier Cup. They beat the Dinos 31-23 on Nov. 6 at Griffiths Stadium to close the regular season.

In the post-season, the Huskies captured the Hardy Cup winning the Canada West Championship game with a 45-17 victory over the Bisons on Nov. 20 at Griffiths Stadium.

The Huskies followed that win up taking a 14-10 thrilling finish in the Uteck Bowl over the Universite de Montreal Carabins at The CEPSUM in Montreal, Quebec on Nov. 27.

The Huskies linebackers are pictured with the Hardy Cup.

Machart’s electrifying 13-yard touchdown run to win the game with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter became an all-time storied moments in the history of the Huskies program.

That set the stage for the Vanier Cup title clash with the Mustangs. On a frozen turf at Stade Telus – Universite Laval, the Huskies came up a handful of plays short in a 27-21 setback that was really well played by both sides given the conditions.

All involved with the Huskies football team gave the squad a dream return in 2021. They all would have to agree that the journey to get to this point was worth it.

Hilltops grads Ochs and Chisholm join Rams

Mason Ochs in action for the Hilltops this past season.

On Saturday, the University of Regina Rams head coach Mark McConkey announced they signed two important keys from the Saskatoon Hilltops offensive line, who just graduated from venerable CJFL club.

Left tackle Mason Ochs and right tackle Jonathan Chisholm have committed to joining the Rams for the 2022 U Sports season. Both just finished up playing their fifth and final seasons with the Hilltops help Saskatoon win CJFL titles in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Included in those title wins was an 11-0 perfect season in 2018 and a 12-0 perfect season in 2019.

Ochs departs the Hilltops as one of the team’s all-time greats. He was both a PFC all-star and a CJFL all-Canadian all-star in the last four straight CJFL seasons.

Jonathan Chisholm in action for the Hilltops this past season.

The graduate of Saskatoon’s Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers football team was named the PFC’s most outstanding offensive lineman for this past season.

Chisholm became a starter on the Hilltops offensive line at the start of the 2019 campaign. The graduate of Swift Current Comprehensive High School Colts suffered a knee injury in the Hilltops second regular season game this past season but returned to the lineup in the team second last regular season game.

On Oct. 24, Chisholm caught a touchdown pass on a trick play as the Hilltops beat the Rifles in Winnipeg 32-17 to close their regular season.

Ochs and Chisholm helped the Hilltops win the PFC title for a seventh consecutive season before the club’s season came to an end with a 17-14 CJFL semifinal loss to the Rams in Langley, B.C.

Langley Rams capture first Canadian Bowl in 37-0 route

The #CJFL champion @LangleyRams for 2021 pic.twitter.com/hgnvltb5b9

— CJFL News (@CJFLnews) December 4, 2021

The Langley Rams proved to be too much for London Beefeaters to handle in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

Last Saturday at Western Alumni Stadium in London, Ont., the Rams flattened the Beefeaters 37-0 to capture their first CJFL title in team history. The Beefeaters were only able to gain 20 yards of net offence for the contest.

The Rams piled up a Canadian Bowl record 10 sacks in the contest with defensive lineman Tyler Eckert collecting 3.5 sacks, which was also a Canadian Bowl record. He was named the defensive player of the game.

In the first quarter, Rams kicker Tato Ferreyro Araya hit field goals from 17 and 18 yards out to give Langley a 6-0 lead.

The Beefeaters conceded four safeties in the second quarter to extend the Rams lead to 14-0.

At the start of the third quarter, the Beefeaters conceded another safety to allow the Rams to assume a 16-0 edge.

Before the third quarter ended, Rams receiver Daniel Kubongo returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown to increase the Rams advantage to 23-0.

In the fourth quarter, Rams quarterback Micheal Calvert connected with receiver Mario Johnson for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Running back Derek Best rounded out the scoring for Langley with an eight-yard touchdown run.

Calvert was named the offensive player of the game completing 12-of-25 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown, while throwing two interceptions.

Kubongo claimed special teams player of the game honours returning two punts for 108 yards to go with his one touchdown.

The Rams concluded the 2021 campaign with an 11-1 overall record including a 7-1 mark in regular season play.

The Beefeaters closed out the season with an 8-3 overall record that included a 6-2 mark in regular season play.

Since 2017, teams from the Ontario Football Conference, which the Beefeaters play out of, have posted an 0-4 record in CJFL semifinal and championship games having dropped each of those contests by 25 or more points.

Thunder’s MacAulay named CJFL coach of the year

Scott MacAulay was named the CJFL’s coach of the year.

Head coach Scott MacAulay captured a major CJFL award after leading his Regina Thunder to their best regular season in team history.

MacAulay guided the Thunder to their first ever first place finish in PFC regular season standings and their first undefeated record in regular season play with an 8-0 mark. For those accomplishments, MacAulay was named the winner of the CJFL’s Gord Currie Coach of the Year Award last Wednesday.

MacAulay took over as head coach of the Thunder in 2013 and guided the club to its first ever CJFL championship that season.

He became the first Thunder head coach to capture CJFL coach of the year hours since Randy Shaw back in 2002.

In 2021, the Thunder’s run of success came to a halt in the PFC final, when they fell to their provincial rivals the Saskatoon Hilltops 29-9 on Nov. 14 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

The CJFL announced its major award winners over its website all last week in the lead up to last Saturday’s Canadian Bowl, where the Langley Rams blanked the London Beefeaters 37-0 in London, Ont., to become CJFL champions.

On Friday, Okanagan Sun running back Malcolm Miller claimed the Peter Dalla Riva Offensive Player of the Year award.

Calgary Colts linebacker Austin Daisy captured the Larry Wruck Defensive Player of the Year award on Thursday.

The CJFL’s Rookie of the Year award went to Langley Rams receiver Daniel Kubongo last Tuesday.

Rounding out the CJFL awards, Valley Huskers receiver Mateo Tuioti was the CJFL Past Commissioners Award for community service, BCFC president Tyler McLaren claimed honours as the CJFL’s Stewart MacDonald Executive of the Year, and CJFL Life Member Awards went to Ed and Terry Plant of Edmonton and OFC president Darren Cocchetto.

Schnitzler versus Neufeld in Grey Cup

Tom Schnitzler in action for the Hilltops in 2015.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders aren’t in the Grey Cup, but there will be a Saskatchewan flavor in the CFL’s championship game.

The Grey Cup is set for this coming Sunday at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, when the host Tiger-Cats (10-6 overall) face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (12-3 overall). The Tiger-Cats features defensive lineman Tom Schnitzler and the Bombers roster contains veteran right guard Patrick Neufeld.

Schnitzler, who is a Saskatoon product, played defensive end for the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops from 2013 to 2017. He helped the Hilltops win CJFL championships in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Following his time with the Hilltops, Schnitzler played two seasons in the U Sports ranks on the defensive line for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Football team. The 26-year-old is playing in his rookie season with the Tiger-Cats having dressed in three regular season games and both of the Tiger-Cats post-season contests.

Neufeld, who is a Regina product, played four seasons in the U Sports ranks with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies from 2006 to 2010. He is in his 10^th full season in the CFL beginning his career with the Roughriders before a trade on Oct. 10, 2013 brought him to the Bombers.

Neufeld helped the Bombers win the Grey Cup in 2019. The 32-year-old played in 13 out of the 14 regular season games and the one post-season contest the Bombers needed to play to advance to the Grey Cup.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Failed third down gamble does in Huskies in Vanier Cup

Mustangs take U Sports title with 27-21 victory

Mason Nyhus threw for 303 yards for the Huskies on Saturday.

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football team gambled and lost.

The University of Western Ontario Mustangs were able to turn one early third quarter play into an avalanche that allowed them to win the Vanier Cup as U Sports champions 27-21 on Saturday at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec, before 5,840 spectators.

On the final play of the first half, Huskies kicker David Solie booted a 24 yard field goal to give his squad a 12-10 lead.

On the opening kickoff of the third quarter, Huskies kick returner Josh Ewanchyna ran the ball back 44 yards to the Mustangs 51 yard line. The Huskies appeared to be in a good spot to build on their slim lead.

The ensuing offensive possession saw the U of S face a third and one situation from the Mustangs 42 yard line. The Huskies sent in their short-yardage offence to make the conversion.

Ewanchyna lined up at running back, got the ball and was tackled inches short of the first down by third-year Mustangs linebacker Zach Lindley to cause a turnover on downs.

At that point, momentum jumped on the side of the Mustangs in a big way.

Two plays after that failed gamble, Mustangs first-year quarterback Evan Hillock connected with veteran receiver Griffin Campbell on a 50-yard pass and run touchdown toss to put the London, Ontario-based squad up 17-12.

That score was the start of what seemed like an avalanche run that saw the Mustangs outscore the Huskies 17-2.

At the 7:43 mark of the third quarter, the Huskies pinned the Mustangs in bad field position causing the Ontario side to concede a safety to trim the Mustangs edge to 17-14.

After getting out of that jam, the Mustangs closed the third quarter with Hillock connecting with Campbell on a perfectly executed bubble screen pass play that went 17 yards for a major score. After that seven-play scoring drive that covered 72 yards, the Mustangs were now exiting the third quarter holding a 24-14 advantage.

Josh Ewanchyna scored the Huskies final TD on Saturday.

The Mustangs surge concluded with a 37 yard field goal from kicker Brian Garrity at the 2:59 mark of the fourth quarter to increase Western’s lead to 27-14.

While there was still lots of time remaining in the fourth quarter at that point, the Huskies were never able to get a game-changing big play to get the traction they needed to start the rally. The Huskies defence wasn’t able to get any interceptions or fumble recoveries.

The Mustangs defence did a great job in not giving up the big play.

The Huskies did move the ball offensively, but they needed to put together efficient multiple play drives to score. U of S’s longest play on offence in the game was a 26-yard pass to star fifth-year utility player Colton Klassen.

After the Huskies got the Mustangs offensive momentum to fizzle out, the Dogs put up a major on a one-yard touchdown run from Ewanchyna to cut the Mustangs lead to 27-21 with 28 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

U of S attempted an onside kick to try and get the ball back for a miracle finish, but Western blocked the play up perfectly to allow sophomore running back Keon Edwards to field the ball. The Mustangs proceeded to run out the clock with two running plays and a kneel down to take their eighth U Sports championship in team history with the 27-21 win.

Mustangs head coach Greg Marshall was a part of four of those wins guiding the squad to a Vanier Cup champions in 2017 and serving as a Mustangs assistant coach for Vanier Cup title victories in 1989 and 1994.

While the weather conditions were expected to favour the Huskies being -11 C with an eight kilometre an hour wind creating a field that was frozen and slippery, the Mustangs came out and played a solid game in those conditions like they were a U Sports or CFL team based in one of the Prairie provinces.

On the first offensive series of the game, Western put together a five-play scoring drive that covered 70 yards that culminated in a 25-yard touchdown run by fifth-year running back Trey Humes for a 7-0 lead.

Before the first quarter ended, the Huskies got a 26-yard field goal from Solie to cut the Mustangs lead to 7-3.

At the 5:03 mark of the second quarter, the Huskies jumped ahead 9-7, when star quarterback Mason Nyhus hit third-year receiver Daniel Perry on a 22-yard touchdown toss. Solie’s point after attempt was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, which prevented the Huskies from going up by three points.

The Mustangs retook the lead with 3:20 remaining in the second quarter on a 23-yard field goal from Garrity for a 10-9 edge.

Adam Machart had 78 yards rushing and 82 yards receiving.

That set the stage for Solie to make his kick that put the Huskies in front 12-10 at halftime and lead up to the failed third down gamble on the Huskies first series of the third quarter.

While the failed gamble ultimately snowballed on the Huskies and was the turning point in the contest, the U of S coaching staff made the right call in deciding to go for it at that point in the game.

Huskies head coach Scott Flory coaches in a style that is a mix of his former Huskies head coach in the legendary Brian Towriss and two of his former CFL head coaches with the Montreal Alouettes in the late great icon in Don Matthews and cerebral standout Marc Trestman.

Matthews was the type of coach that believed at certain points in any contest you have to gamble and go out and win the game.

The Huskies throughout their history are known for their great offensive lines, and U of S can be rightfully dubbed “O-line U.”

Putting in a jumbo set for a third-and-one gamble, you have to believe your players can go out and get that yard. If the Huskies succeed in that gamble, they might have finished that first possession drive of the third quarter scoring a touchdown for a 19-10 advantage.

At that point, the game plays out quite a bit differently that it did.

Even if the Mustangs got the stuff, the Huskies had to believe there was still plenty of time to recover from that missed chance.

To the Mustangs credit, they made that Huskies missed gamble turn into a costly one.

When the dust settled, Nyhus finished having an outstanding game for the Huskies completing 28-of-40 passes for 303 yards, one touchdown pass and no interceptions. Huskies star running back Adam Machart ran the ball 16 times for a team high 78 yards and caught eight passes for 82 yards.

Klassen topped the Huskies with 95 receiving yards coming on seven catches.

Riley Pickett had 1.5 tackles for a loss for the Huskies.

Defensive back Cameron Skinner led the Huskies with seven total tackles, while defensive end Riley Pickett had 1.5 tackles for a loss. He shared a tackle for a loss with fifth-year linebacker Clovis Lumeka.

Hillock showed he is potentially on the cusp of a stellar career with the Mustangs completing 18-of-29 passes for 274 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He took home the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy as the game’s most outstanding player.

Campbell caught six passes for a game high 104 yards to go with his two touchdowns.

The Mustangs piled up 209 yards rushing as a team with five different players getting rushing attempts.

Mustangs fourth-year defensive back Daniel Valente Jr. had a game high 8.5 tackles taking home the Bruce Coulter Award as the defensive player of the game.

Defensive linemen Deionte Knight and Malcolm Hinds had single sacks for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs finished the campaign with a 10-1 overall record, while the Huskies concluded the season with an 8-2 overall mark.

The Vanier Cup loss brings an end to the U Sports careers of seven Huskies players in Klassen, Lumeka, Kyle Newton, Carter Dahl, Finley Easton, Nick Summach and Yol Piok, who were all played out their fifth and final seasons of eligibility.

That group helped the Huskies win a Canada West Conference title in 2018 and another conference championship this season in making the run to the Vanier Cup game.

Before those two post-season runs, the last time the Huskies had won the Canada West title and advanced to the Vanier Cup game was 2006.

The Huskies are still searching for their first Vanier Cup win since 1998. In total, they’ve won the U Sports title on three occasions including 1990 and 1996.

After the Huskies weren’t able to hit the field in 2020 as the Canada West Conference season and the Vanier Cup were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) campaign that has gripped the world, the 2021 return season for the Huskies was a remarkable one.

Colton Klassen had 95 yards receiving on Saturday.

They returned a strong core group of players that took the program to heights it hasn’t reached in some time.

The Huskies have once again been able to see what the Vanier Cup looks like. You can bet this will help motivate the returning players and add to the realization that reaching the U Sports mountaintop again is something that can be realistically achieved in future seasons.

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Expect bandwagon to fill for Huskies football

Noah Zerr gets family time with the Hardy Cup.

If you have the urge to jump on the bandwagon for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football team, follow the old Nike slogan and “just do it.”

For the first time since 2006, the Huskies (8-1 overall) will play in the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup. They will take on the University of Western Ontario Mustangs (9-1 overall) in the U Sports title game on Saturday at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec (12 p.m. Saskatchewan time, CBC TV).

As the week goes and the time for the championship clash nears, you can expect more and more people in Saskatoon and likely the province of Saskatchewan will jump on the Huskies bandwagon.

They should jump on the Huskies bandwagon, and that goes for anyone that wants to back the Dogs.

The players and coaches on the team are incredibly likeable.

The team has been building to this moment with a journey that included winning the Hardy Cup as Canada West Conference champions in 2018 as well as this season.

Plus, the nostalgia factor will come into play when it comes to jumping on the bandwagon. The Huskies have made nine previous trips to the Vanier Cup and come out the victors on three occasions in 1990, 1996 and 1998.

Adam Machart has piled up big yards at running back.

Current Huskies head coach Scott Flory and current defensive co-ordinator Warren Muzika were players at right tackle and linebacker respectively on the Huskies 1998 Vanier Cup winner.

As all nine of those championship appearances were shown on national television and the Huskies made other regular national TV appearances during the 1990s and 2000s, a lot of people carry warm memories from those years.

Legendary Huskies head coach Brian Towriss oversaw all of those runs to appearing in the Vanier Cup championship game before retiring after the 2016 season. He became the all-time leader in U Sports head coaching victories at 196 in both regular season and post-season play.

Towriss found his way to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He is accompanying the current Huskies on the road in the post-season.

Towriss is one of the great storytellers you will find anywhere at any level of sports. During down moments, it would be a great experience for any current players to squeeze in a visit with Towriss to hear those tales.

There have been a number of opportunities to hear those old stories too.

After Huskies beat the University de Montreal Carabins in the Uteck Bowl last Saturday in Montreal, Quebec, the team elected to stay in the province. They bussed to Quebec City the next day to being preparing for the Vanier Cup.

Colton Klassen has been a heart and soul player for the Huskies.

The current players are a great bunch. They are group that is easy to get behind.

While the 2020 Canada West season and the Vanier Cup was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, a large number of players that were on the roster in 2019 returned to the Huskies this season. That development is a testament to how good the culture is on the squad.

The Huskies will try to help seven players in their fifth and final seasons of eligibility graduate as U Sports national champions in Colton Klassen, Kyle Newton, Carter Dahl, Finley Easton, Clovis Lumeka, Nick Summach and Yol Piok.

Klassen is arguably the best known of the group. The 2020 CFL Draft selection of the Montreal Alouettes is the Huskies star utility player and a three time Canada West all-star.

Back on October 26, 2019, Klassen went down with a gruesome dislocated right ankle near the end of the first quarter in a 22-9 victory over the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

He hit the comeback trail and recovered to the point the Alouettes were comfortable with selecting him in the eighth round and 69^th overall in the CFL Draft held on April 30, 2020.

Piok has become a mental health advocate after coming forward with his own story of his battles with mental health. Behind the scenes, the Regina product has made a big positive impact off the field.

Fans at cheer on the Huskies at the Hardy Cup.

When it comes to excitement on the field, the Huskies most exciting player is arguably star quarterback Mason Nyhus. The fourth-year signal caller plays in the gun slinging mold of Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre of the NFL.

Nyhus puts up numbers and wins. His decision making has also been top notch this season, and he has been calculated when it comes to taking chances to win games.

Star running back Adam Machart has solidified himself as one of the Huskies all-time greats. He can run with speed, finesse and power and catch passes out of the backfield like a standout receiver.

He is also one of the game’s top true gentlemen.

Sure handed receiver Sam Baker might be the most consistent pass catcher in U Sports. When the stakes get higher, he becomes a bigger playmaker.

Throughout their history, the Huskies have been known for their great offensive lines, and the U of S can rightfully be dubbed “O-line U.”

Riley Pickett has piled up the sacks this season.

This year’s starting line has been stellar once again with Summach at right tackle, Connor Berglof at right guard, Oluwayombo Olabimtan at centre, Derek Beaubien at left guard and Noah Zerr at left tackle.

Of course, the guys on the offensive line are some of the most down to earth persons you will meet anywhere.

On defensive, defensive end Riley Pickett likely received some extra notoriety in being named the defensive player of the game in the Uteck Bowl recording two sacks and six total tackles. Pickett was the target of boos and taunts from the Carabins faithful in Montreal, and he took it all in stride.

Always an upbeat and highly positive person off the field, Pickett knows that boos in opposing team stadiums are as good as cheers when he is at home and also come as a sign he is playing well. He doesn’t get phased by whatever the game throws at him.

Nathan Cherry had a strong season playing the other defensive end spot for the Huskies to form a great pass rushing duo with Pickett.

At linebacker, the Huskies are so deep you could argue they have nine guys who could be starters. Lumeka and Nick Wiebe are viewed as arguably the biggest playmakers.

Mason Nyhus is the Huskies gunslinger at quarterback.

Sophomore outside linebacker Ramsey Derbas has already been entrusted to be a team captain, which shows the leadership ability he has at a young age.

At defensive back, Charlie Ringland goes about the game in a quiet businesslike fashion, and he has the ability to creep up and play in the box as well as cover top receivers. He has great politeness off the field too.

Place kicker and punter David Solie might be the most easy going player on the team. He doesn’t get rattled in crazy situations or when the pressure is on.

Overall, the players, coaches and staff of the Huskies football team are all the perfect persons you would want representing the U of S, Saskatoon as a city and Saskatchewan as a province.

They allow alums of the program and fans to live out great moments in the present and remember great moments of the past.

At the moment, it feels like everything with the Huskies experience of being the Vanier Cup is new again, because it has been so long since the program has been in this game and even longer since the Dogs have won that contest.

The Huskies have a group that deserves to be cheered on.

QB Mason Nyhus (#8) makes a young fan’s day after a win.

If they can win this last game and go all the way, you likely won’t be able to find the words to describe how special that would be.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Heart of the Huskies delivers Uteck Bowl win

U of S off to U Sports title game – the Vanier Cup

The Huskies are going to the Vanier Cup.

For a lengthy stretch, it seemed these Dogs wouldn’t have their day.

Going into the fourth quarter of the Uteck Bowl on Saturday at The CEPSUM in Montreal, Quebec, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team trailed the Universite de Montreal Carabins 9-1. The Carabins held a 303-167 edge in total yards after three quarters and seemingly had the ball for most of the game up until that point in time.

The Huskies defence had bent but didn’t break. The Carabins were still in search of their first touchdown of the contest.

It was the type of day where points were at a premium as both squads played in conditions that included winds that would blow at 46 kilometres per hour.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Huskies offence, which had seemingly been stuck in quicksand for a lot of the first 45 minutes to that point, was set up with a second-and-goal situation from the Carabins nine yard line.

U of S had driven the ball 63 yards in five plays to get to that position on the field. The Huskies needed a play to change the complexion of the contest.

At that moment, Huskies star quarterback Mason Nyhus hit star running back Adam Machart with a swing pass that resulted in a nine-yard touchdown reception.

The Huskies attempted a two-point conversion, and a Nyhus pass to receiver Sam Baker, who is a CFL Draft pick of the Toronto Argonauts, fell incomplete.

Adam Machart scored the winning TD for the Huskies.

The Carabins still led 9-7, but Machart’s major score gave the Huskies a major traction point and extra life. Business was picking up the battle department as the Huskies were intent on making sure they would not be denied of victory on this day.

The host side proceeded to get a single on a missed 37-yard field goal from kicker Michael Arpin at the 5:24 mark of the frame. The Carabins lead increased, but it was still a slim one at 10-7.

U of S ultimately got the ball on its own 27 yard line with 1:55 remaining in the game.

Nyhus proceeded to drive the Huskies down the field hitting star utility player Colton Klassen, Baker and fifth-year tight end Kyle Newton with big pass completions.

From the Carabins 13 yard line, Machart broke off an electrifying touchdown run to put the Huskies in front 14-10 with five seconds to play.

The Carabins were unable to create a miracle on their last offensive play and the 14-10 score in favour of the Huskies stood up as the final outcome to disappoint most of the sellout crowd of 5,100 spectators.

For the first time since 2006, the Huskies were on their way to the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup.

The victory over the Carabins was the biggest win for the Huskies team since they knocked off the University of Ottawa Gee Gees 35-28 in Ottawa, Ont., in the 2006 Mitchell Bowl.

The Huskies also came into the clash with the Carabins as underdogs. In the final U Sports Top 10 rankings, the Carabins were rated first, and the Huskies were fourth.

The Carabins were also coming off a bye week having last played on November 14, when they knocked off the visiting Universite Laval Rouge et Or 28-19 to win the Dunsmore Cup to become the champions of the Reseau du Sport Etudiant du Quebec.

Adam Machart ran for 158 yards on Saturday.

The Huskies were in action just even days earlier downing the University of Manitoba Bisons 45-17 at Griffiths Stadium on the U of S campus to claim the Hardy Cup as Canada West Conference champions.

With the win in the Uteck Bowl, the Huskies, who were 5-1 in the regular season, were moving on to the U Sports title game improving their overall record to 8-1 and their overall winning streak to eight games.

The Carabins, who had a 7-1 regular season record, saw their eight game overall winning streak come to an end as their overall record would finish up at 9-2.

The Huskies will face the University of Western Ontario Mustangs in the Vanier Cup to be played this coming Saturday at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec.

The Mustangs romped to a 61-6 victory over the visiting St. Francis Xavier University X-Men in London, Ont., in the other U Sports semifinal – the Mitchell Bowl – on Saturday. The Mustangs, who are rated second in the U Sports Top 10 rankings, improved to 9-1 overall with the win, while the X-Men, who were rated seventh in the U Sports Top 10 rankings, saw their record conclude a 8-1 overall.

While the Huskies were underdogs against the Carabins, it appeared the weather conditions would favor the visitors at the start of the Uteck Bowl. Besides the winds gusting to 46 kilometres per hour, the temperature at kickoff was -3 C, and those elements on paper seemed to be of benefit to the visitors.

The wind would plague the kicking game for most of the day.

The Huskies had the game’s first possession and got in position for kicker David Solie to try a 25-yard field goal. Solie’s kick sailed wide and was good for a single to put the Huskies in front 1-0 at the 5:13 mark of the first quarter.

Arpin made a 23-yard field goal with 2:08 remaining in the first quarter to give the Carabins a 3-1 lead.

At the 9:21 mark of the second quarter, Arpin missed a 25-yard field goal attempt, but the kick was good enough for a rouge to put the Carabins up 4-1 going into the halftime break.

Mason Nyhus engineers a game-winning drive.

During the second quarter, Huskies defensive end Riley Pickett found himself playing the role of villain in the eyes of the Carabins faithful. Pickett sacked Carabins quarterback Jonathan Senecal twice in the second quarter.

On the second sack late in the frame, Pickett drove thru Senecal on a hard but clean hit. Senecal stayed down on the turf and had to be looked at by the Carabin trainers.

He walked off the field under his own power and returned to the contest at the start of the second half.

When Senecal was down, the Carabins fans showered boos and heckles at Pickett.

Pickett soaked in the taunts from the fans like he was WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

In the third quarter, Arpin hit a 15-yard field goal and the Huskies conceded a safety due to bad field position to allow the Carabins to take a 9-1 edge into the fourth quarter.

That set the stage for the Huskies dramatic rally in the final 15 minutes of the contest.

Machart was named the game’s offensive MVP. He carried the ball 20 times for 158 yards and caught six passes for 24 yards to go with his two major scores.

Pickett had six total tackles to go with his two sacks in being named the game’s defensive MVP.

Nyhus completed 17-of-26 passes for 138 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Senecal had a monster game completing 31-of-41 passes for 398 yards. He didn’t throw any touchdown passes or interceptions.

Carabins star receiver Hassane Dosso caught 10 passes for 182 yards.

Colton Klassen had a key catch on the Huskies winning drive.

Linebacker Lane Novak led the Huskies with 7.5 total tackles, while defensive lineman Michael Brodrique topped the Carabins with seven total tackles.

The Carabins had the ball for 35 minutes and 34 seconds putting up 457 yards of total offence.

The Huskies put up 299 yards of total offence with 24 minutes and 26 seconds of time of possession.

Despite the statistical advantage by the Carabins, they couldn’t overcome the heart of the Huskies.

As a result, the Huskies prevailed on the scoreboard, and when two good teams play each other in the post-season, it is all about just finding a way to win.

Now, the Huskies will try to find a way to party like its 1998, when they last won the Vanier Cup 24-17 over the Concordia University Stingers in Toronto, Ont., at Rogers Centre, which was then known as the Skydome. That marked the third time the Huskies won the U Sports title, with the other two victories coming in 1990 and 1996.

The Huskies will face another monster test in the Mustangs in this year’s Vanier Cup.

With the heart the Huskies have shown to this point, they might just go all the way in winning that one last game.

Vanier Bound! #HuskiePride pic.twitter.com/JbwBjHVRDY

— Huskie Athletics (@HuskieAthletics) November 28, 2021

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Hardy turned into party for Huskies and their fans

U of S wins 20^th Canada West football title in program history

The Huskies celebrate winning the Hardy Cup.

A home win hadn’t felt this good for a long time for all involved with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team.

On Saturday, the Huskies romped to a 45-17 victory over the Manitoba Bisons to capture the Hardy Cup to become Canada West Conference champions for the 20^th time in program history. A vocal, raucous, engaged and supportive crowd of 2,500 turned out at the Huskies long time storied home in Griffiths Stadium to revel and soak in the conference title win.

The win allowed the Huskies to capture the Canada West title for the second time in the past three seasons.

Adam Machart, right, tears upfield for the Huskies on a run.

With U Sports electing not to host any nationals and the Canada West season getting canceled in the 2020-21 campaign due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, the Huskies previous Canada West Championship win came on November 10, 2018, when they traveled to Calgary, Alta., and thumped the host University of Calgary Dinos 43-18.

However, it has been an even longer time since the Huskies and their faithful were able to enjoy a home conference championship win. 

Before Saturday, the last time the Huskies won the Canada West title at home came way back on November 12, 2005 when the Huskies downed the University of Alberta Golden Bears 30-17.

The fans at Griffiths Stadium cheer on the Huskies.

The 2,811 in attendance at Griffiths Stadium that day likely didn’t know 16 years would pass before the Huskies won the Canada West crown at home again. Back in 2005, the Huskies were carrying expectations to win the Hardy Cup and even the Vanier Cup as U Sports champions year in and year out.

In 2005, that Canada West title win was a primer to a heavyweight battle that was to come in the Huskies next home game, when they hosted the Universite Laval Rouge et Or in the U Sports semifinal Mitchell Bowl.

QB Jackson Tachinski had a rushing TD for the Bisons.

On November 19, 2005 in one of the all-time greatest games played at Griffiths Stadium and a U Sports all-time classic, the Huskies slipped past the Rouge et Or 29-27 before 5,147 spectators.

The Huskies advanced on to face the Wilfred Laurier University Golden Hawks in the Vanier Cup that was played on November 26, 2005 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., in a battle of undefeated 11-0 teams.

U of S fell in heartbreaking fashion 24-23, when Golden Hawks kicker Brian Devlin nailed a game-winning field goal from 32 yards out with 19 seconds to play in the contest.

Even with that end result in the Vanier Cup noted, the Huskies 2005 victory over the Rouge et Or in the Mitchell Bowl was the team’s biggest win at Griffiths Stadium until this season’s Huskies squad claimed the Hardy Cup on their fabled home field.

Michael Ritchott had a 53-yard TD run for the Bisons.

Add in the fact the Huskies weren’t able to take the field in 2020-21, the Dogs and their fans had every reason to feel elated and joyful over the win against the Bisons. The celebration was well deserved.

After winning the Canada West title in 2018, the Huskies fell in the Mitchell Bowl 47-24 to the host University of Western Ontario Mustangs in London, Ont.

Coming back in 2019, belief was high amongst the Huskies that they would win the Hardy Cup again and advance even further in the post-season. They faced the Dinos again in the Canada West final in Calgary, but fell this time 29-4.

The Dinos advanced on to win the Vanier Cup.

Riley Pickett celebrates making a sack for the Huskies.

Still, optimism was high surrounding the Huskies that the best was yet to come, and 2019 was a learning experience with the squad having to deal with some untimely key injuries. One of those injuries was an especially gruesome dislocated right ankle injury to star utility player Colton Klassen in the squad’s last game of the regular season.

When the 2020 football campaign was lost for the Huskies, one had to wonder who would be back in 2021 and what would the actual season look like?

Despite the questions and uncertainty, a number of key players returned to the team. All 10 Huskies players that were named Canada West all-stars for the 2021 campaign were returnees.

That included Klassen, quarterback Mason Nyhus, running back Adam Machart, receiver Sam Baker, centre Connor Berglof, right tackle Nick Summach, left tackle Noah Zerr, punter David Solie, and defensive ends Riley Pickett and Nathan Cherry.

Mason Nyhus threw two TD passes for the Huskies.

Solie handles all the Huskies place kicking duties along with the punting duties.

Credit goes to head coach Scott Flory for ensuring the strong culture that existed with legendary retired head coach Brian Towriss continued in the Huskies program in the current day to create an environment that players still wanted to comeback even with unprecedented uncertainties.

In a shortened six-game regular season, the Huskies topped the Canada West standings with a 5-1 record. They downed the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 39-17 in a Canada West semifinal on November 13 to set up Saturday’s clash with the Bisons.

The Bisons finished second in the Canada West regular season with a 4-2 record and fought through lots of adversity themselves to get to the Canada West title game.

Adam Machart scores his first TD on a 10-yard reception.

They had to deal with more strict restrictions Manitoba had in place to battle the COVID-19 pandemic that created a later start on when they could get together as a team. Receivers coach Scott Naujoks passed away from cancer in late September and star fifth-year quarterback Des Catellier was lost to a campaign ending ankle injury in the Bisons first game of the regular season.

First year quarterback Jackson Tachinski took Catellier’s place as the starter.

Under veteran head coach Brian Dobie, the Bisons have traditionally found ways to play good with emotion.

They stormed out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter on Saturday. Tachinski scored a touchdown on a one-yard quarterback sneak, the Huskies had to concede a safety due to a bad punt snap, and Bisons running back Michael Ritchott ripped off an electrifying 53-yard touchdown run in the image of Willard Reaves, who was the star running back of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 1980s.

Sam Baker fends off a defender after making a catch.

Defensive back Arjay Shelley made a long return after an interception to set up Tachinski’s major.

Huskies supporters had to wonder if a Bisons upset was in the cards.

With just over five minutes to play in the first quarter, Pickett sacked Tachinski down at the Bisons one-yard line to force U of M to conceded a safety. While that only cut the Bisons lead to 16-2, Pickett’s play provided the traction moment to get the Huskies going.

That safety started a run that saw the Huskies score 38 points to take a 38-16 lead at the 6:45 mark of the fourth quarter.

In the second quarter, Machart hauled in a 10-yard touchdown catch from Nyhus and Solie booted a 44-yard field goal to trim the Bisons lead to 16-12 at halftime.

Lane Novak, left, returns an interception for the Huskies.

The Huskies took the lead for good, when Machart ran home a major score from three yards out to give the hosts a 19-16 advantage at the 4:01 mark of the third quarter. Machart added a four-yard touchdown run before the third quarter ended to increase the Huskies advantage to 26-16.

U of S started the fourth quarter forcing the Bisons to concede a safety, scoring a major on a 17-yard touchdown toss from Nyhus to Klassen and Solie hitting a field goal from 26 yards out to take a 38-16 lead.

The Bisons interrupted the scoring run with a long punt single from kicker Cole Sabourin to cut the Huskies advantage to 38-17.

Huskies rookie running back Ryker Frank concluded the game’s scoring with 50-yard sprint up the middle touchdown run.

Colton Klassen, right, celebrates his 17-yard TD reception.

Machart had a huge day carrying the ball 20 times for 223 yards and two touchdowns, while catching two passes for 28 yards and a major score. Frank almost broke the 100-yard mark in rushing carrying the ball seven times for 97 yards to go with his major score.

Nyhus completed 20-of-31 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception.

Cherry and linebacker Seth Hundeby had sacks for the Huskies. Linebacker Lane Novak, defensive backs Nixen Voll and Cam Skinner each had single interceptions for U of S.

The Bisons, who finished the campaign with a 5-3 overall record, were limited to 288 yards of total offence as a team for the contest.

The Griffiths Stadium faithful salutes the Huskies at game’s end.

When the Huskies were pouring on the points, the crowd at Griffiths Stadium cheered louder than it had all season. The park had quite the atmosphere, and at the final gun, all on the Huskies side were enjoying the day.

After the trophy presentation, the Huskies players celebrated with their families, who came on to the field. Many pictures were taken on camera phones as the moment was soaked in on the field for a lengthy stretch of time.

Now, the Huskies will hit the road to Montreal, Quebec, to face the Universite de Montreal Carabins (9-1 overall) in the U Sports semifinal Uteck Bowl this coming Saturday.

Clovis Lumeka, left, and Adam Machart, centre, receive the Hardy Cup.

The Carabins will be well rested as they knocked off the Rouge et Or 28-19 in Dunsmore Cup on November 14 to become champions of the Reseau du Sport Etudiant du Quebec.

With that noted, the Huskies win Saturday over the Bisons to capture the Hardy Cup at home was a big moment for the team, especially in recent history.

It might spring the Huskies, who are 7-1 overall, to bigger moments and wins over the next two weekends even with the rest and home field advantage the Carabins will have.

The Huskies raise the Hardy Cup as Canada West champs.

Still with what the Huskies have already been able to accomplish, they’ve shown the team is back on track successfully navigating the unprecedented hurdles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebrations and good vibes that took place at Griffiths Stadium were a fitting memory to create.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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