Courtesy: Huskie Athletics

By Greg Campbell

Huskies capture 85th Hardy Cup

Saskatchewan advances to Uteck Bowl to face St. FX

Nov 12, 2022 | 5:22 PM

As the U of S Huskies piled onto the field following their 23-8 win over the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, the atmosphere was celebratory, but not excessive. You can not help but feel that for Scott Flory and company, this win was important, yet bigger things were on their minds postgame.

“Our visions for ourselves, we have two more football games left.”

Outside of a sluggish first half, which saw both sides battle and bruise one another to the tune of a 9-7 Huskies lead at the break, Saskatchewan did what they have all season… dominate the opponent in the second half.

For Flory, it’s the battle-tested nature of this Huskie squad that continues to come out and hunt when the going gets tough.

“We overcame, and we kept fighting. I’m so proud of these guys.”

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Isiah Knight, who was a menace to the Huskies defence the last time these two teams met in Vancouver, was held in check to a 3.2 yard per carry average on 17 rush attempts. Derek Engel, who led the Thunderbirds to their regular season win over the Huskies, was 15 of 31 for 149 yards and a pair of interceptions. His longest pass of the afternoon was for a mere 23 yards. Edgerrin Williams, the 5-11, 190lb product out of Hamilton, Ontario was the lone bright spot, accounting for six receptions and 68 yards.

Scott Flory and his team came into the contest first in the league in points allowed a game (14.2), yards allowed a game (296), and pass yards allowed per game (189). Sound defensive football led the way once again in a chilly contest at Griffiths Stadium that saw kickoff temperatures over around a brisk -15 degrees. The head coach alluded to how the defence made the plays that had to be made.

Despite the cold, the offense warmed up in the second half, finishing off with 317 yards on the afternoon. Mason Nyhus went 22 of 28 for 232 yards and a touchdown (including a rare interception). Nyhus, who was named the Canada West Player of the Year, early and often checked it down to a fellow Canada West all-star in Ryker Frank. The second year Regina Leboldus graduate had eight receptions for 70 yards, as well as 23 carries for 63 yards. Caleb Morin also had a solid Hardy Cup, hauling in three catches for 55 yards.

Ted Kubongo, the former Thunderbird who was named a Canada West Special Team all-star as a kick returner, despite the first half team struggles, the game is simple. “At the end of the day each play is approximately six seconds long, so as soon as that’s gone, you just have to reset.

David Solie went a perfect three of three in the field goal department, and twice pinned the Thunderbirds inside the 20 yard line. His one punt landed inside the five yard line, cuing a nine yard interception return by Finn Marcotte Cribb back to the endzone on the very next play.

From there, it was only simply a matter of time until Mason Nyhus and the Huskies would celebrate on the grounds of Griffiths Stadium. Scott Flory, who has led Saskatchewan to this game for the last four seasons, has now won three league titles. The Huskies also extended their win streak to 18 games at home, and now have won six straight championship tilts against the Thunderbirds (UBC last beat Saskatchewan in this game in 1976). Mason Nyhus finished his career in a Huskies uniform having never lost a start at home.

With the win, the Huskies move on to the Uteck Bowl to face the St.Francis Xavier X-Men this Saturday. St. FX defeated the Mount Allison Mounties 21-14 in the Loney Bowl for the AUS title.

The Mitchell Bowl (the other national semi-final) will feature the Western Mustangs and the Laval Rouge et Or in London next Saturday. The Mustangs defeated Queen’s 44-16 in the Yates Cup. Laval defeated Montreal 25-24 on a last-second rouge off a missed field goal in the Dunsmore Cup.

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Twitter: @gregcampellca