New Mosaic gets “A” grade

Rams down Huskies 37-29 in first game at new stadium

Rams LB Michael Stefanovic cuts off Huskies RB Tyler Chow.

    REGINA - It is safe to say the 16,500 patrons that took in the first event at new Mosaic Stadium were satisfied to say the least about Saskatchewan’s new state of the art sports facility.

    The host University of Regina Rams and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies engaged in the first contest and overall event held at new Mosaic on Saturday afternoon before a record crowd to witness a Canada West conference football match. The attendance mark broke the previous football record of 10,199 for a match between the U of Manitoba Bisons and the U of Alberta Golden Bears at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg on Aug. 30, 2013.

    The clash between the Rams and the Huskies also surpassed the overall attendance record for a Canada West contest, when 12,859 spectators took in a men’s hockey match between the U of Calgary Dinos and the Mount Royal University Cougars on Jan. 21 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

Part of the crowd of 16,500 that attended the Rams vs. Huskies clash.

    Until Saturday’s contest, the largest attendance for a university level football game in Saskatchewan since the Rams joined the Canadian Interuniversity Sport ranks in 1999 came back on Nov. 25, 2006.      
    On that day 12,567 spectators crammed into Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon to see the host Huskies fall to the Universite Laval Rouge et Or 13-8 in that year’s Vanier Cup.

    New Mosaic Stadium gets an “A” grade for its first event. As far as the fan experience goes, there were small quicks like the fact it was hard to hear the public address system in the end zone seats and the massive new big video screen wasn’t working yet to provide replays.

    With that said, there isn’t a bad seat in the house that cost $278-million to build. The site lines from any spot in the facility are great. It is also nice to sit in a sizable theatre seat as opposed to being crammed on to the bench seats of old Mosaic Stadium.

Rams QB Noah Picton throws the first TD at new Mosaic.

    The spot that received the most compliments was the standing room area in the south end zone. If you are on the lowest level of that space, it feels like you can reach out and touch the play. It is also in perfect position for players to attempt a “Lambeau Leap” after scoring a touchdown.

    It was easy to move along the spacious concourse area with the exception of the one corner where a big beer selling and barbeque food area was set up. There was more than ample washroom space as well, which was something that obviously lacked at old Mosaic.

    With that said, there were the odd fans in one men’s washroom that joked they would miss the troughs that existed in the old stadium.

    Saturday’s game also provided a little glimpse as far as atmosphere goes at least on a possible CFL level. It was easy to see that the majority of the fans that came to the Rams/Huskies game were mainly fans of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and maybe only casual fans of the university game. Their obvious first purpose was to see what Roughriders new home would look like.

    That curiousity was share by a number of Roughriders players who were also present for the CIS clash.

    Most spectators that attend Rams or Huskies football contests lean more to being university football fans first and CFL fans second.

Rams receiver Ryan Schienbein scores the first touchdown at new Mosaic.

    The influx of new spectators provided a rare opportunity for the Rams and Huskies to showcase the university game to a new audience. The two teams did not disappoint.

    The game’s first half contained a myriad of spectacular offensive football plays, which saw the Rams take a 24-18 lead into the halftime break. The first touchdown at the new stadium came courtesy of an 11-yard catch by Rams receiver Ryan Schienbein from quarterback Noah Picton near the midway point of the first quarter to give the hosts an early 7-0 edge.

    The newcomers apparently liked what they saw and most stuck around for the second half, where the Rams surged ahead 37-18 by the end of the third quarter and held off a Huskies fourth quarter rally to pull out the 37-29 win. The victory allowed the Rams to remain first in Canada West at 4-1, while the Huskies remained in fifth place at 2-3.

The standing area was a hit at new Mosaic.

    The teams made errors inside of the contest’s final two minutes, but ardent university fans were the ones that mainly moaned about those mishaps.

    Picton’s reputation has grown as the CIS season has progressed as possibly being a CIS most valuable player candidate, and he gave the new spectators a show completing 29-of-42 passes for 370 yards, four touchdown passes and two interceptions. Schienbein was the favourite target hauling in 13 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.

    The fans seemed to be draw into the game, and you could feel the crowd noise. The wave also started up in the fourth quarter to provide another nice touch.

    There is a realistic relation that this might be the only university football match many of the newcomers - who mainly watch CFL clashes - will take in for some time.

The Rams celebrate their victory at new Mosaic.

    If even a small percentage decide to attend future Rams and Huskies home games, that development would be a good bonus.

    Now the wait is on for new Mosaic’s big test, which will be the first time it hosts a Roughriders game. Thanks to Saturday’s university contest, the first CFL game has a huge head start on being a big hit.

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

Déjà vu for Hilltops at old Mosaic Stadium

Saskatoon posts second straight comeback win in Regina

Tailback Joshua Ewanchyna scores the Hilltops winning TD

    REGINA - The Saskatoon Hilltops last old Mosaic moment was a déjà vu one in the comeback department.
    On Saturday night at old Mosaic Stadium, the venerable Hilltops fell behind the host Regina Thunder 26-16 with 2:21 to play in the fourth quarter, when Thunder backup quarterback Brock Sich scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak. The Toppers were down, but not out in the Canadian Junior Football League clash.

    The visitors rallied with two touchdowns to pull out a 30-26 victory before 2,301 spectators. First, quarterback Jared Andreychuk hit receiver Sam Mike on an 18-yard touchdown toss with 1:37 to play to cut the Thunder lead to 26-23.

    After forcing the Thunder to go two-and-out on their ensuing series, the Hilltops drove down to the Regina one with the aid of three big Thunder penalties. From the one, Hilltops running back Joshua Ewanchyna ran in the winning score with 48 seconds to play.

Jared Andreychuk led another Hilltops rally.

    “It was unreal,” said Andreychuk. “We got down a little bit late.

    “Our spirits were down a little bit, but we had a shot, and we took advantage of it. We got into hurry up offence, and you don’t have to think about things. You just do it.

    “They started playing cover three (zone defence) in the fourth, and we took advantage of that, and we made some things happen.”

    The final Thunder series ended quickly. On their first play after the returning the Hilltops kickoff, Thunder starting quarterback Sawyer Buettner was intercepted by linebacker Cody Peters to seal the Saskatoon victory.

    Andreychuk had a huge night completing 21-of-43 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Besides Mike’s fourth quarter catch, Andreychuk hit running back Logan Fischer for a six-yard scoring throw in the second quarter and Mike for a 14-yard scoring connection in the third quarter.

    The fifth-year signal contributions grew in importance after Fischer left the game with a lower body injury shortly before halftime.

    “We had to put the ball in Jared’s hands, and he embraced that,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “The receivers stepped up.

    “Our passing game is getting better and better. We are ready for bigger and better things. You win these games that is character.”

Linebacker Cody Peters makes an interception for the Hilltops.

    Saskatoon’s victory at old Mosaic almost mirrored their trip to the historic facility last season. Just over a year ago on Sept. 12, 2015, the Hilltops trailed the Thunder 25-10 heading into the fourth quarter but rallied for a 26-25 victory. Andreychuk hit slotback Evan Turkington with the winning touchdown pass with 75 seconds to play in that contest, and linebacker Cole Benkic sealed the win with an interception after the Hilltops went ahead late.

    “I had déjà vu a couple of times in that game,” said Andreychuk. “Definitely that back shoulder throw to Sam (Mike) in the third quarter kind of got that going a little bit.

    “It kind of reminded me of Turk (Turkington) last year at the end of the game. It was just a fun one.”

    Buettner connected on 29-of-50 passes for 319 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss for the Thunder on Saturday. Receiver Kristopher Calcutt made an acrobatic 10-yard reception in the third quarter to account for the Thunder’s major through the air.

    The teams entered the fourth quarter locked in a 16-16 tie. Early in the fourth quarter, Thunder kicker James Reid booted a 21-yard field goal to give the hosts a 19-16 lead to set the stage for the dramatics in the final three minutes of the game.

Sawyer Buettner fires a pass downfield for the Thunder.

    Reid also hit field goals from 38, 30 and 17 yards out in the contest to round out the home side’s scoring. The Hilltops scoring was rounded out by a conceded safety by the Thunder and a long punt single by Des Vessey. The Hilltops failed to convert one of their convert attempts due to a botched snap.

    Since falling 36-21 to the Calgary Colts at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on Aug. 28, the Hilltops have won their last four straight games to improve to 6-1.

    “From the Calgary game until now, we are a totally different team,” said Sargeant. “I have a proud coaching staff.

    “They have a belief in how we do business, and the players always respond and do what we need them to do.

    “What I am so proud about is we stay the process, we believe in each other, we coach hard and they play hard and good results happen.”

Hilltops DL Dillon Buckle closes in on a Thunder ball carrier.

    With two games left on their regular season schedule, the Hilltops are ensured of at least a second place finish in the Prairie Football Conference, and they will host a first round playoff match. The Colts lead the conference standings with a 6-0 mark.

    The Thunder fall to 3-4 to sit fourth in the PFC.

    The Hilltops return to action on Oct. 9, when they host the Edmonton Wildcats at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Thunder will host the Colts at 1 p.m. at old Mosaic Stadium also on Oct. 9.

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

Rams/Huskies take centre stage at new Mosaic

Noah Picton gets set to fire a pass downfield for the Rams.

    The action on the turf at new Mosaic Stadium might match the majestic look of the new state of the art facility itself.

    On Saturday at 2 p.m. in Regina, the host University of Regina Rams will face the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in the first game at what will be best known as the new home of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. The clash is expected to be seen by over 16,500 spectators, and it will be a test event for the facility that cost $278-million to build.

    That contests also opens the festivities for “Football Day in Saskatchewan.” Following the match between the Rams and Huskies, the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops will face the Regina Thunder for the final time at old Mosaic Stadium in a clash of powerhouse Canadian Junior Football League teams at 7 p.m.

    While the majority of the people attending the university game will be out to see what it is like to attend an event at new Mosaic Stadium, they will also see a very meaningful tilt. The surprising Rams enter the contest as the fourth ranked squad in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport top 10 ratings, and they top the very tight Canada West standings with a 3-1 mark. A year ago, U of R suffered through an 0-8 season.

    The U of Calgary Dinos also have a 3-1 mark, but the Rams hold first due to their 32-27 victory over the Dinos on Sept. 23 at old Mosaic Stadium.

    The Huskies sit in fifth place in Canada West with a 2-2 record, and they still have the potential to surge up the standings.

    The majority of the crowd will be made up of people from Regina, but a sizable contingent is heading down from Saskatoon. Since the Rams joined the CIS ranks in 1999, their rivalry with the Huskies has been more of an up and down one as far as intensity goes.

    U of S has dominated the regular season encounters with a 21-6 record, but the Rams have a 3-2 edge in five post-season meetings.  Only one of those playoff encounters came in the Canada West final back in 2002, when the Huskies came away with a 44-28 victory at old Mosaic Stadium.

    The rivalry hasn’t had the bite it should have due to fact there hasn’t been frequent meetings in the Canada West final. Also, the Dinos won every Canada West title from 2008 to 2013, and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds went all the way and won the Vanier Cup last year.

Since 2007, games between the Rams and Huskies have been really for bragging rights against each other, while someone else gets all the championship trophies.

Tyler Chow has piled up big yards on the ground for the Huskies.

    On Saturday, the only thing fans at new Mosaic will care about is what happens on that day. A victory would be key for each team’s hopes of making the Canada West playoffs and possibly hosting a post-season game.

    The players will likely provide a lot of excitement as well. Rams quarterback Noah Picton has had insane numbers over his team’s first four games completing 117-of-170 passes for 1,714 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. Picton gets to throw to a wide array of skilled pass catchers like Mitchell Picton, Khalid Kornegay and Riley Wilson, who are all averaging over 100 yards receiving a game. The U of R’s reputation of being “Receiver U” is definitely in good hands.

    Tyler Chow has emerged as the Huskies biggest offensive weapon over the first four weeks. The feature tailback has piled up 572 yards rushing on 84 carries and scored two touchdowns.

    The Huskies passing attack took a big hit in their last outing, when they dropped a 38-17 decision to the U of Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg on Sept. 24 due to receivers dropping a number of passes. They still have a strong quarterback in Kyle Siemens, who has completed 81 of 134 passes for 934 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. U of S also has a talented group of receivers, who will likely have a bounce back game as a unit.

    The crowd noise should get up high too. If you had the chance to visit the open house showing of new Mosaic Stadium during the Labour Day weekend, you will have learned the stadium design traps noise like CenturyLink Field in Seattle, which is home to the NFL’s Seahawks. Cheers echo and circle through the facility.

    There will likely be some bumps on Saturday afternoon, but the chance to see what should be a great game at new Mosaic Stadium will likely be an early Christmas gift.

Lots on the line for Hilltops and Thunder

Hilltops QB Jared Andreychuk rolls away from pressure.

    After the university game wraps up at new Mosaic Stadium, the Hilltops and Thunder will do battle at old Mosaic Stadium in a CJFL clash that has a lot on the line as the post-season approaches.

    Both teams have combined to win the last six CJFL championships. The Hilltops won the Canadian Bowl in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015, while the Thunder captured the CJFL’s top prize in 2013.

The Hilltops enter the contest sitting second in the Prairie Football Conference with a 5-1 mark. The Thunder are third with a 3-3 record, but their three losses have come again either the Hilltops or the PFC leading Calgary Colts, who are 6-0.

    If the Hilltops win, they will guarantee at least a second place finish in the PFC standings, which means they will host a PFC semifinal playoff tilt. If the Thunder win by three or more points, they will take the season series with the Hilltops and place some pressure on Saskatoon to win its final two regular season games to hold on to second place.

    The Hilltops slipped past the Thunder 20-18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field back on Sept. 10, which was the only other clash between these two clubs this season.

    Saskatoon also wants to keep the heat on Calgary as far as the race for first goes. The Colts are in the driver’s seat in that dash due to the fact they downed the Hilltops 36-21 back on Aug. 28 at SMF Field , which was the only head-to-head regular season clash between the two sides in the current campaign. Thanks to holding that standings tiebreaker, the Colts can lock up first place winning two of their final three games.

Sawyer Buettner fires a pass downfield for the Thunder.

    Last year, the Hilltops and Thunder staged a classic at old Mosaic. The Thunder took a 25-10 lead into the fourth quarter, and the Hilltops rallied to pull out a 26-25 victory.

    Quarterback Jared Andreychuk led that Toppers comeback, and he is having a solid campaign completing 83 of 135 passes for 1,256 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Saskatoon has great balance as running backs Logan Fischer, Joshua Ewanchyna and Adam Machart are all having solid years.

    Fischer tops the team with 521 yards rushing on 90 carries, while scoring six touchdowns. Ewanchyna has piled up 329 yards rushing on 40 carries and scored three majors, while Machart has 265 yards rushing on 38 carries and has scored one touchdown.

    Second-year Thunder quarterback Sawyer Buettner has turned a lot of heads completing 141 of 209 passes for 1,784 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. Receiver Kristiane Desautels has been Buettner’s favourite target catching 24 passes for 432 yards and three touchdowns.

    The first battle between these two squads this season had the intensity of a playoff clash, and Saturday’s encounter will likely have the same feel. Another classic might be on the way.

It always feels good to give

    As “Football Day in Saskatchewan” draws near, it has popped into my head that I have supported all four of the provinces post-secondary teams that will take the field on Regina on Saturday.

    I have donated to the scholarship funds of the Rams, Hilltops and Huskies and attended the Thunder’s Dinner of Champions fundraiser. Besides those four football teams, I have also donated to the scholarship funds of the U of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s and women’s hockey teams and the U of R Cougars women’s hockey team.

    It makes me feel good when I can give money to any of these programs, and I would love to keep making similar donations in the future and add a few more teams to the list too. I want to thank you the readers for supporting me in my independent media endeavours to make this possible.

    I humbly hope I can keep earning and holding your respect as I continue onwards.

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