Huskies football team. Pre-practice warm-up. (Wray Morrison/HuskieFAN)

By Wray Morrison

Back To McMahon

The Huskies’ football team returns to Calgary

Sep 22, 2021 | 10:15 AM

One can’t really blame the U of S Huskies’ veteran football players for wanting to right some wrongs during their September 25^th opener in Calgary against the Dinos.

The last time the U of S football team played a game was November 9^th, 2019. It was the Hardy Cup Final at McMahon Stadium. The final score says it all: Dinos 29 Huskies 4. Not only did the Huskies not win, they weren’t even able to put up a touchdown against a stingy Calgary defense. Max Baatar, Tyrese Best and Grant McDonald all registered sacks for Calgary on a day where the visitors found it challenging to finish drives.

Huskies running back Adam Machart, who had 112 yards rushing in the 2019 Canada West Final, can’t wait to open the 2021 season at McMahon Stadium.

“Those losses stick with you, and add a little bit of a chip on your shoulder,” he said.

Head coach and offensive co-ordinator Scott Flory admits that turnovers and mistakes were an issue. Now, the “Dogs” are out to turn the page.

Huskies dominate 2025 homecoming game

Thunderbirds get clipped at U of S campus

Sep 06, 2025

Listen: Coach's Show with Scott Flory

T-Birds touch down for Homecoming Game

Sep 04, 2025

Huskies win season opener

Frank scores two touchdowns in victory over the Bears

Aug 30, 2025

The Huskies are encouraged by the talent level of the returnees they have in 2021, on both sides of the football. Riley Pickett comes back to a Huskies’ defense that led the Canada West conference in sacks in 2019. Pickett, who is preparing for his third year on the defensive line, had two and a half tackles in the September 18^th non conference game against Manitoba. Linebacker Ramsey Derbas was named the Canada West rookie of the year in 2019. Derbas is one of the Huskies’ defensive captains this season. The Holy Cross graduate admits that that the 2019 Hardy Cup loss is not forgotten.

“It’s personal, for sure,” he said.

Defensive co-ordinator Warren Muzyka senses from his players that there is a strong desire to make good on this week one opportunity.

“That game we lost in Calgary (in 2019) really hurts. I think it’ll hurt for a long time for most of us”.

On offense, along with Machart, who was a 2019 Hec Creighton Trophy nominee, the Huskies have solid pass catchers such Sam Baker and the always dangerous Colton Klassen. Returnees such as offensive lineman Connor Berglof, who attended Ottawa RedBlacks camp, and Nick Summach are back to protect fourth year quarterback Mason Nyhus.

“We got so much talent. We just have to turn that in to success on the field” Klassen said.

McMahon Stadium has been the site of the last 10 Hardy Cup games, and the Dinos have won 7 conference championships in that time. In listening the Machart, the Huskies are up for the challenge.

“We have every weapon you could ask for…it just comes down to executing”.

—