Courtesy: Huskie Athletics

By Wray Morrison

Ben Whiting joins coaching staff

Huskies ready to display a “fast and violent” defense this season.

Aug 23, 2023 | 3:20 PM

The Whiting brothers have had a long association with football. Sam, Ben and Tom all played at Marion Graham high school. Ben and Tom followed that up with USports careers at the University of Saskatchewan. Ben was a U of S linebacker from 2015 to 2019, playing in two Hardy Cup games and winning one conference championship. Tom wrapped up his career with the Huskies in 2022 with back-to-back Hardy Cup titles and two straight Vanier Cup appearances.

Ben has returned as a member of the coaching staff in 2023. The Marion Graham graduate will be helping defensive line coach Tony Michalchuk and special teams coordinator Jerry Friesen in his new role with the program. “It really is more than a team”, said Whiting. “It’s a pretty established culture and it really is a family atmosphere.”

Whiting was with the Huskies when Scott Flory took over as head coach and when Warren Muzika became defensive coordinator in 2017. Ben sees that experience as vital as he moves to his new role when working with the players. “I won’t lie. It’s pretty nice to have been in these schemes before. It’s easy to understand from when I was last playing. Obviously, you want to coach and teach techniques that are already being taught.”

Saskatchewan’s defense was formidable in 2022, giving up the fewest points per game of any team in the conference (14.9) and allowing the fewest yards per game. (312.8) With little turnover on the defensive side of the ball, the defending Hardy Cup champion Huskies are expecting the same results in 2023. “We’re more physical than anybody else”, said Whiting. He describes the defense as “Fast and violent.” “All of those good action words”, he joked.

After being a defensive standout with the Regina Thunder, Reece McCormick joins the Huskies’ defensive line this season. McCormick is a key addition with the departures of interior linemen Jonathan Leggett and Carson Bell. McCormick was the PFC rookie of the year in 2021 and last season was a junior conference all-star. The 20 year-old Yorkton product also attended Saskatchewan Roughriders camp.

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Not only is McCormick making a transition from junior to university football, but moving from end to tackle with the U of S. “I’d say there are a lot more details, especially playing inside now. I don’t have as much time to see things. My hands are in the dirt, I’m right over top of somebody. I have to be that much faster.”

McCormick is expected to have an immediate impact on Saskatchewan’s defense. “It’s nice when you have guys that can plug and play”, said Whiting. McCormick is clear on his future, both short term and long term. “My goal is to play pro football”, he said. “Coming here and getting an opportunity to play inside is a big thing. Learning from Muzika, Friesen and Tony…from everybody…there’s a lot of experience here.”

The Huskies begin defense of their 2022 Hardy Cup title on Friday September 1^st at 6pm (Saskatchewan time) as they visit the Manitoba Bisons at IG Field in Winnipeg. Rich Gabruch and Wray Morrison will call the game, starting with the Elk Ridge Resort Pre-Game Show at 5:45pm on the HuskieFAN app, HuskieFAN.ca and Pattison Media radio stations across Saskatchewan.

The Huskie home opener is on Friday September 8^th at 7pm as the Regina Rams visit Griffiths Stadium. Matt and Wray Morrison will bring fans the action starting at 6:45pm with the Elk Ridge Resort Pre-Game Show on the HuskieFAN app and HuskieFAN.ca.

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter @wraymorrison