Nyhus departs football Huskies as an all-time great

Mason Nyhus is one of the best the Huskies ever had at QB.

What would have happened had Mason Nyhus engineered a two-minute drill drive to win the Vanier Cup?

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team’s fifth-year quarterback would have been the toast of “the Wheat Province,” and fans of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders would be demanding that the community-owned franchise should sign the local product now. On top of that, talk about the 24-year-old would have dominated Saskatchewan’s sports radio talk shows and been main focus for stories from the remaining sports reporters working for mainstream media outlets.

Nyhus was in that position twice in the Vanier Cup. The first opportunity provided the most realistic chance to pullout victory.

After the University Laval Rouge et Or got a field goal to increase their lead to 30-24 last Saturday in the U Sports championship game played at Western Alumni Stadium in London, Ont., the Huskies had the ball at their own 18 yard line with 1:44 remaining in the fourth quarter and two timeouts. Had Nyhus orchestrated a drive at that point to allow the Huskies to score a touchdown to win the game and capture the Vanier Cup, his hero status in the history of the Huskie Athletics program would have hit mythical status.

That drive sputtered out after four plays.

The Huskies were able to get the ball back at their own 20 yard line with 34 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and no timeouts. That scenario would have required a miracle big play to allow the Huskies to score the game-winning points.

Mason Nyhus (#8) throws a pass in a controlled scrimmage in 2016.

The Rouge et Or ultimately made the 30-24 score hold up as the game’s final outcome to win the Vanier Cup to become U Sports champions for the 11^th time in team history.

While Nyhus wasn’t able to guide a two-minute drill drive to score the winning points against arguably the most storied football program in the history of U Sports, the Regina product will go down as one of the all-time bests the Huskies ever had.

When Nyhus first stepped foot on the U of S campus in 2016, he was hyped a signal caller that could potentially take the Huskies all the way. He would experience some unique challenges before experiencing high points with the Huskies, and some of those challenges were things you couldn’t envision.

In 2016, he was a red shirt with the Huskies, who finished third in the Canada West Conference with a 5-3 record and fell 47-17 in a conference semifinal to the University of Calgary Dinos. At the time, that marked the eighth straight playoff loss in a row for the Huskies, and they were in a stretch where they had won only one of their previous 12 post-season contests.

It seemed like the days when the Huskies regularly made long post-season runs were something that was left in the past.

A short time after the 2016 post-season loss to the Dinos, Nyhus discovered he would no longer be playing for the head coach that recruited him. In late December of 2016, the Huskies’ legendary head coach in Brian Towriss retired after holding that position for 33 years, and Scott Flory, who had been the Huskies offensive coordinator, was named head coach on March 13, 2017.

Mason Nyhus throws a pass for the Huskies in 2018.

Nyhus was moved to the active roster as the backup to veteran star starter Kyle Siemens. The Huskies missed the post-season in 2017, but Siemens worked magic in his final campaign in 2018.

In 2018, the Huskies returned to the playoffs finishing third in Canada West with a 5-3 record, and they went on a playoff run where they won the Hardy Cup as conference champions for the first time since 2006. The post-season run came to an end with a 47-24 loss to the University of Western Ontario Mustangs in London, Ont., in the Mitchell Bowl U Sports semifinal contest.

After playing behind and learning from Siemens and experiencing a long post-season run, Nyhus was set to hit the ground running as the Huskies starter in 2019. The Huskies finished second in Canada West with a 5-3 mark, but a massive amount of injuries accumulated for the team when the playoffs came around.

The Huskies fell 29-4 in the Hardy Cup to the Dinos in Calgary. The Dinos advanced forward to win the Vanier Cup.

In March of 2020, the world came into the grips of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which caused the 2020 Canada West football season and U Sports nationals to be cancelled for the 2020-21 campaign. With no games to play, Nyhus and his teammates continued to work out and train for the day U Sports would resume play.

That whole situation was something no one ever thought would happen, when Nyhus first joined the Huskies.

Mason Nyhus scrambles out of trouble in 2019.

The family feeling the Huskies built served them well as almost all the team’s key returnees were in uniform for the 2021 season. In a shortened regular season, the Huskies finished first in Canada West with a 5-1 mark and Nyhus was named the conference’s all-star quarterback.

In the Huskies six regular season games, Nyhus, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 215 pounds, was in stellar form completing 109-of-187 passes for 1,653 yards and 16 touchdowns, while only throwing two interceptions. 

While Nyhus looked like a Brett Favre style gunslinger in 2019, he was a composed surgeon on field in his second year as a starter in the image of Tom Brady.

The Huskies advanced on to win the Canada West title and produced one of the program’s most memorable moments in the Uteck Bowl against the Universite de Montreal Carabins in CEPSUM in Montreal, Quebec.

The Huskies trailed 10-7 and had the ball on their own 27 yard line with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. Nyhus executed a perfect two-minute drill drive that concluded with star running back Adam Machart running home the winning touchdown from 13 yards out to put the Huskies up 14-10 with five seconds remaining on the clock.

The Carabins couldn’t come up with a miracle and the 14-10 score in favour of the Huskies held up as the contest’s final outcome. The Huskies were in the Vanier Cup for the first time since 2006.

Mason Nyhus throws a pass in the 2021 Canada West final.

U of S played strong in the 2021 Vanier Cup before falling 27-21 to the University of Western Ontario Mustangs at Stade Telus – University Laval in Quebec City, Quebec.

Nyhus followed his 2021 season up with a 2022 campaign that was one for the ages. He signal called the Huskies to another first place finish in Canada West with a 7-1 record. 

In the Huskies eight regular season games, he completed 197-of-298 passes for 2,759 yards and 18 touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions.

Nyhus’s passing yardage total was tops in all of U Sports and set a new Huskies team record for most passing yards in one season. He was named a Canada West all-star, the Canada West player of the year and a second team U Sports all-Canadian all-star.

The Huskies returned to the Vanier Cup but were unable to knock off Laval. Rouge et Or second year star quarterback Arnaud Desjardins was pretty outstanding as well finishing in second in U Sports passing yards behind Nyhus.

While the Huskies weren’t able to take the Vanier Cup this past Saturday against the Rouge et Or, Nyhus’s stock remained high. In the setback, he completed 34-of-43 passes for 344 yards, three touchdowns and one tipped interception.

Mason Nyhus (behind banner) celebrates a Canada West title win.

Following the U Sports title game, Michael Ball, who is the voice of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, reported that the Roughriders added Nyhus to their negotiation list. Nyhus’s days of playing quarterback may indeed continue on at the professional level.

The impact he left on the Huskies was a big one. Nyhus helped bring the Huskies back to a level they hadn’t seen since 2006. The stretch where the Huskies won only one of 12 post-season contests is long forgotten.

Nyhus, who won all 16 of his career home starts at Griffiths Stadium, achieved “The Golden Boy” stature he was tabbed to potentially have back in 2016. As he has now graduated from the program, Nyhus’s biggest impact is that dreams of long playoff runs resulting in Vanier Cup title wins are things that can be realized by the Huskies.

Huskies’ Solie signs with Roughriders

David Solie (#15) has signed with the CFL’s Roughriders.

Wearing green and white has been a theme in David Solie’s football career, and he will get a chance to sport that colour scheme at the professional level.

On Tuesday, Solie, who is the place kicker and punter with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team, was signed by the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. The signing came just three days after the Huskies dropped a 30-24 decision to the Universite Laval Rouge et Or in the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – this past Saturday at Western Alumni Stadium in London, Ont.

The 23-year-old had an outstanding campaign in 2022 playing out his fourth year of U Sports eligibility for the Huskies. During the Huskies eight regular season games, Solie connected on 17-of-21 field goal attempts with a long from 44 yards and hit on 23-of-24 of his conversion attempts. He punted the ball 58 times for 2,276 yards for an average of 39.2 yards per kick.

Solie was named a Canada West all-star at place kicker and he was a U Sports second team all-Canadian all-star at place kicker.

In 2021, Solie captured honours as the all-star punter in Canada West and was named a U Sports first team all-Canadian all-star at punter.

Before moving to the post-secondary ranks, Solie played his high school football for Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team, which has a green and white colour scheme like the Huskies and Roughriders. He also suited up for Saskatchewan’s provincial team program, which also wears green and white.

After playing the 2017 season are a rookie with the Huskies right out of graduating high school, Solie elected to play for the Saskatoon Hilltops in 2018, which marked the only time Solie hasn’t worn green and white on the football field for about the past nine years. Donning the Hilltops traditional blue and gold, Solie took on duties as a receiver, place kicker and punter in helping the storied club win their 21^st CJFL championship in team history.

Ron and Jane Graham named U Sports alumni award winners

On Tuesday, Ron and Jane Graham were named winners of the U Sports-Mitchell Family Alumni of the Year Award for their contributions to the University of Saskatchewan and Huskie Athletics over the decades.

The Grahams shared the honour with Stu and Kim Lang, who have made big contributions to Queen’s University and the University of Guelph.

The U Sports-Mitchell Family Alumni of the Year Award is presented to former student-athletes who have graduated from a Canadian university after having participated in a U Sports sanctioned sport.

Ron and Jane Graham graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1962 with degrees in engineering and education respectively. Ron was a dual student-athlete as quarterback for the Huskie football team and a member of the basketball team. Jane was a swimmer.

Since their first gift to the U of S and Huskie Athletics in 1995, the Grahams have become the university’s largest cumulative donors with over $30-million in donations. They have been key partners in major capital projects including the basketball practice facility at Merlis Belsher Place, the Ron and Jane Graham Sport Science and Health Centre at Merlis Belsher Place and the Graham Huskie Clubhouse at Griffiths Stadium.

In addition to capital projects, the Grahams’ contributions have enhanced the student-athlete experience for Huskie Athletics programs. Their unwavering and generous support has provided student-athletes with scholarships, mentoring, equipment, uniforms, championship rings, travel, financial literacy, coaching support, mental-health and wellness support, technology, academic support and career and employment opportunities.

In 2007, the Grahams were inducted into the Huskie Athletics Hall of Fame.

Four Rams defenders named all-Canadians

Ryder Varga (#56) takes the field for the Rams.

The defenders stole the show at “Receiver U” in 2022.

The University of Regina Rams are best known for the high level receivers who have graduated from their football squad and have gone on to have solid careers in the CFL. As a result, the U of Regina was given the nickname “Receiver U.”

As the Rams finished second in the Canada West Conference in 2022 with a 5-3 record, their defensive players took centre stage. The Rams picked up four U Sports all-Canadian all-star selections this past season, and all of those selections were on defence.

Fifth-year lineback Ryder Varga led the way as a first team all-Canadian all-star. In the Rams eight regular season games, Varga led the team with 38.5 total tackles to go along with two quarterback sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception.

Varga was named Canada West’s most outstanding defensive player to make him a finalist for the Presidents’ Trophy as the stand up defensive player of the year in U Sports. That honour went to linebacker Nicky Farinaccio of the Universite de Montreal Carabins.

Rams fifth-year defensive end Anthony Bennett and fourth-year defensive tackle Tanner Schemekel were tabbed as first-team all-Canadian all-stars, while fourth-year defensive back Jaxon Ford was a second team all-Canadian all-star.

The Universite Laval Rouge et Or, who won the Vanier Cup as U Sports champions, had seven U Sports all-Canadian all-stars in 2022. The first team all-Canadian all-stars on offence included quarterback Arnaud Desjardins, receiver Kevin Mital, offensive tackle Nathan Dumoulin-Duguay and guard Nicolas Guay.

The Rouge et Or’s two first team all-Canadian all-stars on defence included defensive tackle Jean-William Rouleau and defensive back Cristophe Beaulieu. Rouge et Or linebacker Alec Poirier was tabbed as a second team all-Canadian all-star.

Mital took home the Hec Crighton Trophy as the player of the year for U Sports.

Hilltops cool naming Johnson team rookie of the year

Davin Johnson sets in his stance at right tackle for the Hilltops.

The CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops have always been outstanding when it comes to recognizing members of their offensive and defensive lines.

Throughout the years, the members of the offensive and defensive lines have been the heart of the Hilltops teams. During the team annual awards banquet that was held back on November 19 at the Delta Marriott Hotel, the Hilltops presented right tackle Davin Johnson with the Past President’s Trophy as the club’s rookie of the year.

Johnson was a true first-year player having graduated from Saskatoon’s Walter Murray Collegiate this past June. The 18-year-old became the Hilltops starting right tackle about halfway through this past season and started the Hilltops two post-season games. It is rare for any rookie straight out of high school to earn a starting spot as a rookie with the Hilltops, so Johnson accomplished big things with the venerable CJFL team in 2022.

At the PFC conference and CJFL league levels, the Hilltops most celebrated rookie was 17-year-old running back Charles Sawi. Sawi was named the PFC’s rookie of the year and to the conference’s all-rookie team. He also captured the CJFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

To outsiders, they would likely be confused as to how the Hilltops decided to not give their team rookie of the year award to a player who took rookie of the year honours on a conference and league level.

For those associated with the Hilltops, the team rookie of the year accolade makes sense. Most would overlook what Johnson accomplished on the offensive line, and the team award allowed him to get a nod for his special personal season.

The best part is Sawi is humble enough at his young age to understand why Johnson claimed the team’s rookie of the year award. In the end, they both got great recognition for the amazing first CJFL seasons they had.

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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Huskies good and feeling alright as Hardy Cup champs

U of S repeats as Canada West Conference title winners

The Huskies raise the Hardy Cup as Canada West champs.

Scott Flory didn’t want to break up the party.

The head coach had just guided his University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team to a 23-8 victory over the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds before 1,916 spectators at Griffiths Stadium in the Canada West Conference championship game on Saturday. With the win, the Huskies captured the Hardy Cup for the second straight year and 21^st time in program history.

Following the trophy presentation, the players celebrated with their family and friends on the field getting various pictures taken. After about 25 minutes, Flory with a big smile on his face started rounding up his players for a quick team meeting.

Kicker David Solie is pictured with some family members.

Flory was telling his players as he rounded them up the meeting wouldn’t take long and then they can get back to celebrating. He would tell parents with a big grin that he just needed their sons for a short time, and then they can get back together after the meeting was held.

Even Huskies team staffers were chuckling as they tried to help rounding up players. It felt like an exercise in herding cats.

Overall, it might have been -15 C throughout the conference championship game, but you couldn’t miss the warm family feeling that existed between the host side and their supporters. Once again under the direction of Flory who became the Huskies head coach before the start of the 2017 campaign, the U of S side is off on another long playoff run.

Huskies HC Scott Flory holds court with a post-game TV interview.

The next stop on the ride will be the Uteck Bowl this coming Saturday, when the Huskies (9-1) travel to Antigonish, N.S., to take on the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men (9-0). A big contingent of Huskies supporters will make the trip across about 75 per cent of Canada to that contest at StFX Stadium, which will also be shown on CBC Gem and CBC Sports.ca and heard by local broadcasters on HuskieFAN at 11 p.m. Saskatchewan time.

Last year, the Huskies claimed the Uteck Bowl with a 14-10 victory over the Universite de Montreal Carabins at The CEPSUM in Montreal, Quebec. U of S then advanced to the U Sports title contest – the Vanier Cup – where they fell 27-21 to the University of Western Ontario Mustangs at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec.

QB Mason Nyhus has won all of his 16 career home starts.

In 2022, the Huskies, who have won three Canada West championships under Flory’s watch, are intent on getting back to the Vanier Cup and winning the U Sports championship for the first time since 1998, when U Sports was still known as the CIAU.

On these journeys, the Huskies and their supporters don’t get ahead of themselves and always stay mindful to be in the present. Everyone with the team knows that time goes by too fast when you’re linked to something good.

The first order of business was to take care of business in the Hardy Cup. Saturday’s game was your classic frigid tilt that is commonly held on the Prairie Provinces in November.

A mix of the Huskies veteran and young generations would all have big moments to ensure the Hardy Cup continued to reside at the U of S.

David Solie made all three of his field goals on Saturday.

After playing through a scoreless opening quarter, the Huskies took a 9-0 lead after veteran kicker/punter David Solie hit field goals from 30, 24 and 21 yards out. The second field goal was set up by Huskies veteran defensive back Charlie Ringland forcing a fumble that was recovered by a massive pile of teammates who dove in to get the loose ball.

The Thunderbirds didn’t go away as they are guided by one of U Sports all-time great sideline bosses in head coach Blake Nill. Late in the second quarter, the Thunderbirds put together a 70-yard drive the concluded with a one-yard touchdown dive by running back Lucas Mastrodomenico with 30.6 seconds remaining in the frame to cut the Huskies edge to 9-7.

Lucas Mastrodomenico (#30) squeaks in a UBC major score.

At the 5:37 mark of the third quarter, the Thunderbirds had a chance to jump in front, but kicker Owen Brown pushed a 25 yard field goal attempt wide for a single point that trimmed the U of S advantage to 9-8. That was as close as the Thunderbirds would get.

Huskies fifth-year star quarterback Mason Nyhus, who was named the player of the year for Canada West, proceeded to engineer a game-turning scoring drive that ran 14 plays, covered 67 yards and ate the final 7:31 of the third quarter.

On the final play of the third quarter, Nyhus hit first-year receiver Jordin Rusnack with an eight-yard outlet pass for a touchdown to push the Huskies lead out to 16-8. 

Jordin Rusnack scores a TD on an eight-yard reception.

That touchdown catch was Rusnack’s only reception of the contest, but it came at a critical time for the Huskies.

In the fourth quarter, the Thunderbirds offence had difficulty sustaining any drives.

Thanks to a well placed Solie punt and a key special teams tackle by veteran defensive back Logan Bitz, the Thunderbirds were forced to start a drive at their own seven yard line with 9:05 remaining in the stanza.

On the first play of that drive, Thunderbirds second year starting quarterback Derek Engel was intercepted by Huskies defensive back Finn Marcotte-Cribb, and Marcotte-Cribb had an uncontested nine-yard run for a touchdown to push the Huskies lead out to 23-8.

Finn Marcotte-Cribb (#27) returns an interception for a TD.

The Thunderbirds proceeded to turn the ball over on the first play of their ensuing offence series, when Engel was picked off by Huskies veteran star defensive back Nixen Voll. Voll returned the ball 27 yards to the UBC 28 yard line.

The Huskies weren’t able to convert Voll’s interception into points. Nyhus was intercepted by first year Thunderbirds defensive back Ben Sangmuah at the UBC 15 yard line on the ensuing U of S series.

While there was still 6:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, it felt like the 23-8 score was going to be cemented as the final outcome which it was. The Thunderbirds were unable to advance past their own 45 yard line the rest of the contest.

The game ultimately ended with a knee down by Nyhus to spark the post-game conference championship celebration by the hosts.

Ryker Frank, right, had 63 yards rushing and 70 yards receiving.

Nyhus quietly put together a solid outing competing 22-of-28 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception. Set to graduate from the team once their playoff run concludes, Nyhus played his final home game on Saturday, and he won all 16 of his U Sports home starts during his time with the Huskies.

Huskies second year running back Ryker Frank led his side in both rushing and receiving yards. Frank carried the ball 23 times for 63 yards and caught a game high eight passes for 70 yards.

Engel connected on 15-of-31 passes for 149 yards while throwing two interceptions for the Thunderbirds.

The Huskies faithful salutes their team at game’s end.

Running back Isaiah Knight topped the Thunderbirds in rushing with 17 carries for 54 yards, while receiver Edgerrin Williams was the top pass catcher for the visitors hauling in six passes for 68 yards. UBC was held to 231 yards of total offence.

Huskies second-year linebacker Seth Hundeby led the hosts with 7.5 tackles to go with a quarterback sack. Thunderbirds second-year linebacker Ryan Baker topped the visitors with 10.5 tackles.

Saturday’s win allowed the Huskies to run their home winning streak up 18 games. Their last loss at home came back on September 14, 2018, when they dropped a 37-28 decision to the University of Calgary Dinos.

The Hardy Cup victory on Saturday added another memorable moment to the rich history of the Huskies football program and another milestone for all involved with the team in recent years.

The Huskies celebrate winning the Hardy Cup.

After the Hardy Cup game on Saturday, the Huskies took time to soak in their accomplishment. Come Sunday morning, the focus turns towards making another lifetime memory at the upcoming Uteck Bowl.

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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Five Huskies get all-Canadian nods in lead up to Vanier

Dogs play in U Sports title game on Saturday

David Solie was named a first team all-Canadian all-star.

While team success is always the most remembered thing in football, it always good to take time to celebrate individual honours.

Ultimately, it is the players and individual stories in the game that help followers draw a closer connection to the sport.

On Thursday night at the annual U Sports football awards show held in Quebec City, Quebec, five members of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies were named all-Canadian all-stars.

At the ballroom in the Hotel le Concorde Quebec, running back Adam Machart, left tackle Noah Zerr, defensive end Nathan Cherry and kicker David Solie were named first team all-Canadian all-stars, while Connor Berglof, who plays both centre and right guard, was named a second team all-Canadian all-star.

Solie earned his first team all-Canadian all-star nod at punter. Berglof claimed his second team all-Canadian all-star position at centre.

The awards were handed out as the Huskies close in on playing in the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – for the first time since 2006.

The Huskies (8-1 overall) face the University of Western Ontario Mustangs (9-1 overall) in the Vanier Cup on Saturday at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec (12 p.m. Saskatchewan time, CBC). The Mustangs head into that clash as favourites, but the weather might favour the Huskies as it is expected to be -10 C with a 60 per cent chance of snow according to Environment Canada.

The Dogs are looking for their first Vanier Cup win since 1998, while the Mustangs last won the U Sports title in 2017. The Huskies have won the Vanier Cup three times, and Mustangs claimed the top prize in U Sports football seven times.

On the individual front, Machart picked up a first team all-Canadian nod after a solid campaign. He led the Huskies in rushing yards during the regular season piling up 415 yards on 60 carries and scoring two touchdowns appearing in five of U of S’s six regular season games.

During those five regular season contests, Machart hauled in 14 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. This was the second consecutive season Machart was named a first team all-Canadian all-star.

Noah Zerr, right, makes a blog in a double team.

U Sports didn’t hold any national championships and most of that circuit’s teams didn’t play in the 2020-21 campaign due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

Zerr was named an all-Canadian for the first time with his first team all-Canadian all-star nod. On September 1, Zerr was rated 20^th among the top 20 prospects for the 2022 CFL Draft as ranked by the Canadian Football League Scouting Bureau.

Cherry also picked up his first all-Canadian honour with his first team all-Canadian all-star selection. He had a monster year at defensive end recording 5.5 sacks and 13.5 total tackles playing all six of the Huskies regular season games.

Solie took all-Canadian status for the first time with his first team all-Canadian all-star award thanks to his outstanding year punting the ball. Appearing in all six of the Huskies regular season games, Solie punted the ball 36 times for 1,563 yards for an average of 43.4 yards per kick.

Berglof claimed all-Canadian status for a second straight season. In 2019, he was named a first team all-Canadian all-star at centre.

This season, Berglof was named a second team all-Canadian all-star at centre. The CFL Draft selection of the Toronto Argonauts played most of the regular season at centre for the Huskies.

He was moved to right guard near the end of the regular season and remained at that spot through the post-season.

The work Zerr, Berglof and the rest of the Huskies offensive line put in saw quarterback Mason Nyhus only get sacked four times and the Huskies lead U Sports in rushing yards per carry.

As for the major award winners in U Sports football, University of Waterloo Warriors quarterback Tre Ford won the Hec Crighton Award as the most outstanding player of the year.

Mustangs defensive end Deionte Knight claimed J.P. Metras Award as the most outstanding lineman.

University of Alberta Golden Bears linebacker Josiah Schakel took the Presidents’ Trophy as the most outstanding defensive player.

Connor Berglof (#68) throws a block for the Huskies.

Concordia University Stingers receiver Jaylan Greaves claimed the Peter Gorman Trophy as the rookie of the year.

Late University of Ottawa Gee-Gees defensive lineman Francis Perron was posthumously awarded the Russ Jackson Award for outstanding community service. Perron passed away after the Gee-Gees first regular season game, when they fell 11-10 to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in Toronto on September 18.

Queen’s University Golden Gaels head coach Steve Snyder captured the Frank Tindall Trophy as the coach of the year.

University of Guelph Gryphons offensive line coach Michael MacDonald took the Gino Fracas Award as the Volunteer coach of the year for U Sports.

Alums send pump up messages to current Huskies team

Tyler Siwak (#19) in action for the Huskies in 2002.

The alumni of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football put together video of pump up messages for the current team going into this year’s Vanier Cup.

The Huskies play the University of Western Ontario Mustangs in the U Sports football championship game on Saturday at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec.

The video was shared over the social media channels for the Huskie Football Alumni and the University of Saskatchewan. The messages were great and a number of them were colourful.

The video showed how many beauties played on the team and were characters that have character like Murray Sadownick, Cal Hobbs, Brent Schneider, Kelly Bates, Tyler Siwak, Lyndon Rush, Ben Coakwell, Ivan Brown, Laurence Nixon, Parker Siemens, Rylund Hunter, Ben Heenan and Tanner Secord.

Secord, who played his fifth and final year in 2019 on the offensive line, told former teammate and current fourth-year centre and right guard on the offensive line Conner Berglof that he was allowed to smile after the current team wins on Saturday.

Feel free to check out the video below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Huskies FB Alumni (@huskiealumni)

Hockey men’s Huskies romp past MRU 7-2

Jaxan Kaluski had two goals and an assist for the Huskies.

It was all Dogs all night at Merlis Belsher Place on Friday night.

In a U Sports men’s hockey regular season contest, the host University of Saskatchewan Huskies thumped the Mount Royal University Cougars 7-2 holding a 37-17 advantage in shots on goal before 1,673 spectators. The Huskies, who are rated fourth in the U Sports Top 10 rankings, led 2-0 after the first period and 4-0 after the second frame.

Jaxan Kaluski had two goals and an assist for the Huskies. Jared Dmytriw and Vince Loschiavo each picked up a goal and two assists in the win.

Captain Gord Ballhorn, Donovan Neuls and Owen Hardy had singles for the Huskies.

Riley Sawchuk and Tyson Helgesen replied with singles for the Cougars.

Roddy Ross made 15 stops to pick up the win in goal for the Huskies (8-3). Riley Morris turned away 30 shots going the distance in goal for the Cougars (6-5-1).

Those two squads go at it again on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Merlis Belsher Place.

MRU blanks Huskies women’s team 1-0

Bailee Bourassa had eight shots on goal for the Huskies.

Zoe De Beauville was a brick wall the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team wasn’t able to overcome.

The netminder for the Mount Royal University Cougars women’s hockey team made 28 saves to backstop her squad to a 1-0 U Sports regular season win over the Huskies at the Flames Community Arena in Calgary on Friday. The shutout was the third of the season for De Beauville.

Cougars captain Amy Tatum scored on the power play at the 11:12 mark of the first period to account for the game’s only goal. Emma Bergesen and Breanne Trotter picked up assists.

The Cougars, who are rated fifth in the U Sports Top 10 rankings, improved to 8-1-2 with the win.

Camryn Drever made 24 stops to take the setback in goal for the Huskies 6-3-2. Huskies captain Bailee Bourassa had eight shots on goal.

The Cougars were 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Huskies were unable to score on five power-play chances.

The two sides go at it again on Saturday in Calgary.

Expect Bombers to pull out win on Irving’s last call, other notes

Andrew Harris and the Bombers to give their all for Bob Irving.

On the CFL front, the Saskatchewan Roughriders might be heading into a buzz saw, when they head into Winnipeg to face the host Blue Bombers in the West Final on Sunday.

On sports talk shows based out of Saskatchewan, locals have been phoning in their support for the Roughriders saying they will win as the Bombers battle rust. The Bombers topped the entire CFL standings with an 11-3 record and closed the regular season losing two straight games that wouldn’t effect where they were in the standings.

The Roughriders, who were second in the West Division with a 9-5 mark, have won five of their last six games including a thrilling 33-30 overtime victory over the Calgary Stampeders in the West semifinal at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

The Bombers head into the West Final at IG Field in Winnipeg with extra motivation.

The West Final will be the last game Bob “Knuckles” Irving calls as the iconic play-by-play voice of the Bombers. The 71-year-old has filled that roll with CJOB in Winnipeg since 1974.

Irving is a total professional when it comes to calling the game. He has piled up many accolades including induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and having the press box at IG Field named in his honour as the Bob Irving Media Centre.

He has called Bombers games through many ups and downs and seen the team win Grey Cup championships in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2019.

Irving means a lot to the team. While the Bombers were favourites in this game anyways, you have to believe they will dig down to find another gear to get this one for Irving.

You can expect veterans like star running back and hometown hero Andrew Harris, who is returning from injury, will try his best to allow Irving to depart on a high.

Irving will be inducted to the Bombers ring of honour before Sunday’s game.

He is a true media professional, and he gets uncomfortable when the story becomes about him or a fuss is made over him.

Hopefully, he lets himself enjoy the ride this time.

If the Bombers do win as expected, it would be cool if the management and broadcasters at TSN work things out to allow Irving to call the Grey Cup game in Hamilton on Dec. 12 as an extra treat for a national audience. That won’t likely happen, but it would be the right thing to do, if the Bombers are in that game.

• On Monday, the Winter Universiade, which was set to run Dec. 11 to 21 in Lucerne, Switzerland, was cancelled due to concern over the omicron variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The COVID-19 pandemic has gripped the world since March of 2020. Switzerland had imposed border restrictions on travelers from several countries where the new omicron variant has been discovered causing the cancellation of the games. Several countries including Canada have introduced new travel restrictions due to the omicron variant. The Winter Universiade was originally supposed to be held back in January but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic as vaccines were just starting to be distributed at that time.
• As the Universite Laval Rouge et Or won’t be playing in the Vanier Cup, it is unknown who the neutral crowd at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec, will cheer for in the U Sports football championship game on Saturday. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies take on the University of Western Ontario Mustangs for the title. Since London, Ont., is way closer to Quebec City than Saskatoon, Mustangs fans might travel to give their side more of a home field advantage. Fans in Quebec City may cheer on the Huskies due to the fact they had to travel further to get to the game and the Mustangs developed a slight rivalry with the Rouge et Or after meeting the Vanier Cup in 2017 and 2018. The Mustangs took the 2017 Vanier Cup and the Rouge et Or claimed the 2018 title game.
• The Bodog sports betting site has the University of Western Ontario Mustangs favoured in an opening spread by 9.5 points over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in Saturday’s U Sports football championship game – the Vanier Cup. The game will be played at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec. You can check those odds out by clicking right here.
• On Friday, Nov. 26, former WHLer and University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team alum Matt Swaby passed away in a farming accident. His celebration of life was held today in Prince Albert. Swaby played defence for the Prince Albert Mintos under-18 AAA team from 2002 to 2004, the WHL’s Tri-City Americans from 2004 to 2007, the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings from 2007 to 2008 and the U Sports’ Huskies from 2008 to 2011. He leaves behind his wife Carla and their three boys Thomas, 6, Blake, 4 and Cody, 2. Swaby was a friend to all and a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $221,000 for the family. Anyone looking to donate to the GoFundMe campaign for the family can do so by clicking right here.

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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