Huskies fail to capture their fourth Vanier Cup in program history, fall to Mustangs 27-21 (Wray Morrison/HuskieFAN)

By Ben Tompkins

Vanier Cup Defeat

Huskies fall to Mustangs, lose Vanier Cup

Dec 4, 2021 | 3:48 PM

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies fell one win short in their quest at winning the team’s fourth Vanier Cup in program history.

In their first Vanier Cup appearance since 2006, the Huskies were defeated by the University of Western Ontario Mustangs 27-21, at the University of Laval’s PEPS Stadium in Quebec City.

The story of the game turned out to be the third quarter, as after leading the Mustangs 12-10 at halftime, the Huskies then got outscored 14-2 in the frame and trailed 24-14 heading into the final quarter.

A last-minute touchdown for the Huskies cut the deficit to six, but with only 28 seconds remaining in the contest, it was too little too late, as that’s the way the game ended, giving the Mustangs their eighth Vanier Cup in team history.

Griffin Campbell, Wide Receiver for the Mustangs, had two touchdowns and 104 receiving yards, with both of those majors coming in that third quarter.

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Head Coach of the Huskies Scott Flory told HuskieFAN the conditions during the game weren’t ideal and the results of this game will hurt for a while.

“At the beginning, we just had to get our footing down and it’s unfortunate the field conditions, we adapted early, finished the first half, which was really good and then we couldn’t find traction in the fourth quarter,” he said. “It’s tough, as a play-caller, I don’t know if I put our guys in the best position there in the third quarter, it stings, my thoughts just go to all our fifth-year guys and those guys that don’t get another opportunity to put on the Huskie football uniform, this hurts, it stings and it’s going to burn for a while.”

Flory also mentioned the run game and how his team knew it was going to be a focus both offensively and defensively. Unfortunately, for the Huskies, they lost that battle, as the Mustangs rushed for 209 yards, while the U of S only had 83.

“As I said, those footing conditions, it was so tough,” said Flory. “The guys were slipping and sliding and they’re more of a downhill, running north and south football team and we just have to be able to adapt. Both teams had to play in it and we adapted early but I don’t think we came out in the second half and did enough and either adjusted or made plays, or whatever the case may be, enough in there in the second half. They took advantage of the opportunities and I don’t know if we did.

And that second half, along with missed opportunities is something he knows will be analyzed by everyone, along with something his coaching staff will be evaluating all throughout the offseason.

“It was tough, we had that one there where we had the play, then the holding, then we got backed up and then the third down, they go offside and then go back, we get the illegal contact, second and four, should’ve been a first down but the play call there on the third down. There are a few things that regretfully, could’ve, should’ve, would’ve is what it really comes down to. You can analyze it and we have a whole offseason to analyze in that.”

The Huskies will now have to try again next year at winning their first Vanier Cup since 1998 but will have to do it with a different team, as there are a total of seven fifth-year players on their roster.

Colton Klassen, Kyle Newton, Carter Dahl, Finley Easton, Clovis Lumeka, Nick Summach and Yol Piok, have now played their final games in the green and white.

Flory said seeing guys play their final games, especially in a year where the team was so close to a National Title, is something that’s always extremely difficult.

“You just look offensively at Colton (Klassen) and then Carter Dahl and Finley Easton and Yol (Piok), who weren’t up here today but grinded each and every day and made huge plays for this program in the past,” said Flory. “Clovis Lumeka also, my heart just breaks that these guys don’t get another opportunity. We’re here and it’s just tough when you don’t take advantage of your opportunities enough. That’s a really good football team, though and we have to give them a lot of credit.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8