Huskies dominate Canada West all-star selections

Starting on the offensive side was the straw who stirs the drink, in unanimous pick, Mason Nyhus.

The fifth-year quarterback led the conference by a landslide in passing yards, pushing up into the top five all-time for a single season with 2759.

“It’s definitely cool to reflect on putting my name in the lights, with guys like Kyle Siemens, Laurence Nixon, and Doug Siemens too, just a bunch of great quarterbacks here at the U of S in the past,” Nyhus told HuskieFAN.

It was also his second-straight all-star nod, after leading the conference in passing touchdowns with 18.

Nyhus’ top target was also named as an all-star, as fourth-year receiver Daniel Perry, the Calgary, Alta. product earned the first all-star nod of his career.

Perry led the Huskies in receptions with 41, good for 602 receiving yards.

“Daniel Perry is having a heck of a year, just a guy I trust, has been in the program for a while and I can take the top off and do a lot of good things,” added Nyhus.

Meanwhile, for the second-straight season, a Huskies running back is a Canada West all-star as Ryker Frank followed in the footsteps of former teammate Adam Machart

Frank, who stepped up into the starter’s role following a Week 1 injury to Josh Ewanchyna, finished the regular season with 562 rushing yards, 195 receiving yards and five total touchdowns.

As for the big boys up front, who make sure these guys can show off their talent, is the Huskies’ offensive line.

For the second straight year, the group was recognized by the conference’s coaches.

After Connor Berglof, Noah Zerr, and Nick Summach were all honoured as Canada West all-stars in 2021, their final seasons with the program, it was Austin Haas and Dayton Black who earned conference honours in 2022.

“Dayton Black stepped up tremendously at the left tackle spot and played fantastic for us, great leader,” said Nyhus. “Austin Hass, the captain of that group is really stepping up and playing a big role. He had an elbow injury last year, but he’s played all year and played great for us.”

Defense

But… the Huskies weren’t just good on one side of the ball, as they also had one of the scariest defences in the league.

Starting off on the defensive side of the ball was John Stoll, who was rewarded with a breakout season for Saskatchewan.

The Melville product led the team with three interceptions, to go along with 18 total tackles, earning him the nod at the SAM linebacker position.

And, perhaps no Huskies’ position group improved from last season quite like the defensive backs, and Katley Joseph and Charlie Ringland were two of the big reasons why.

Joseph shined in his first season of Canada West action, registering two interceptions and 25.5 total tackles.

As for Ringland, after struggling with injuries throughout his Huskies career, he was able to stay healthy throughout the 2022 regular season and the Saskatchewan defence certainly benefited, as the Winnipeg, Man. product registered 24.0 total tackles.

Special Teams

Rounding out this Huskies’ group was some stellar play this season, on the sometimes over-looked special teams side of the ball.

After being named a Canada West all-star as a punter last season, David Solie earned conference honours as a kicker this season.

Solie joined Nyhus as the only Huskies who were unanimous picks by the coaches.

And last but not least, the Huskies’ 10th and final all-star selection (second most was six by UBC), is Ted Kubongo, who was named the conference’s top kick-return man.

“It’s crazy seeing a lot of these guys just focused and dialed in,” Kubongo explained about his fellow teammates.

Kubongo made the highlight reels in Week 5 against Manitoba, registering a 102-yard kickoff return touchdown on the opening play of the game.

Kubongo also finished second among the Huskies in rushing yards with 287.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8

by Ben Tompkins

Huskies dominate Canada West all-star selections

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