Courtesy: Huskie Athletics

By Wray Morrison

Dinos edge Huskies

“The fundamentals seem to be a struggle.” – Scott Flory

Oct 21, 2023 | 9:36 PM

U of S head coach, Scott Flory. needed a few moments to absorb what he had just witnessed. His team was unable to score an offensive touchdown and missed three field goal attempts at Griffiths Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The end result, the Calgary Dinos, who had just one win on the year entering the weekend, pulled out a 13-12 win over Saskatchewan. “The fundamentals seem to be a struggle”, said Flory.

The Huskies did take a 10-0 lead in the first half. David Solie kicked a 27-yard first quarter field goal and Branson Pipko returned a second quarter punt 68 yards for a major. Saskatchewan’s offensive challenges came to the forefront in the second quarter when quarterback Anton Amundrud threw one of three interceptions to Calgary’s Nate Beauchemin who returned the ball to Huskie 13-yard line. Two plays later, Dinos quarterback Dom Britton hit receiver Matt Sibley on a 10-yard touchdown strike. The home side was clinging to a 10-7 lead at the half.

Amundrud, who had just 197 yards along with the three interceptions, was pulled for back-up Griffin Sander for a few plays in the fourth quarter. “The whole intent was to take a breath let him come to the sidelines and let Griffin have a couple of series’”, said Flory. “That is just not good enough on offense. Those are not the standards we have in this program.”

Calgary kicker Vince Triumbari kicked a 40-yard field near the mid-way point of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 10. With less than two minutes to go the Dinos put together an 11 play, 77-yard drive which ended in a 20-yard field goal to give the visitors a 13-10 advantage. It was Calgary’s first lead of the game and a lead they wouldn’t give up. The Dinos conceded a safety in the final seconds to take some time off the clock and preserve the victory.

Huskie kicker David Solie missed two field goals in a 23-20 loss to Alberta last weekend, and on Saturday was 1 for 4. Solie was one of three graduating players who was recognized before the game. “We’ll do our best to figure it out with him”, said Flory. “Those are kicks that he knows he should make.”

2024 U of S Football Schedule

Huskies begin regular season in Manitoba

May 04, 2024

Wiebe, Idoko and Kourtis selected in CFL draft

Listen: An interview with Katley Joseph

May 01, 2024

Listen: Dog's Breakfast emcee, Glen Suitor

Remembering some great Dog's Breakfasts

Apr 29, 2024

Saskatchewan’s defense was solid in the first half, but Flory did point to some penalties and undisciplined play that extended some Calgary drives. He included that thought in an overall assessment of his team. “Whether we don’t believe in ourselves, or don’t have confidence in our teammates, it’s something we have to figure out real quick here! If we are going to play selfish football, those are the results we are going to get.”

The Dinos improved to 2 and 5 and kept playoff hopes alive. Calgary has to beat Manitoba by 14 points in the final weekend of the regular season to advance. The Huskies, now 4 and 3, visit the Regina Rams in their final regular season game next Saturday at 1:00 at Mosaic Stadium.

—

wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

X/Twitter: @wraymorrison