Bisons ride strong start to victory
The Manitoba Bisons beat the Huskies 37-24 in the season opener for both teams at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon. The home side stormed out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead as Breydon Stubbs scored on one and 22-yard touchdown runs. Fifth-year receiver AK Gassama opened the scoring on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Bison quarterback Jackson Tachinski.
Saskatchewan found its footing in the second quarter when quarterback Anton Amundrud hit Daniel Wiebe on a 63-yard pass play to cut in Manitoba’s 22-0 lead. A short time later Jesse Kuntz caught a 16-yard pass from Amundrud as the Huskies pulled to within eight points at 22-14.
Manitoba kept its distance in the all important third quarter as Maya Turner kicked a 38-yard field goal before Vaughan Lloyd caught a 20-yard pass as the Bisons opened up a 35-15 advantage. Amundrud did score on a two-yard run in the final two minutes of the contest. Amundrud finished the day with 327 yards in passing, two touchdowns and one interception. Tachinski was 11 of 19 for 131 and two touchdowns and rushed for 62 yards.
Manitoba’s defense was solid, holding the Huskies to just 79 yards in rushing. Owen Miller had an interception for the Bisons in the first half, while Tristian Francis registered a sack.