Huskies lose second-straight Vanier Cup

As for the U of S, their drought continues, having last won, back in 1998 (their third title in school history).

Game Summary

It was a back-and-forth game, to say the least, which saw over 8,400 fans pack into Western Alumni Stadium, in London, Ont. on a sunny and windy day.

For the first three quarters, it seemed like every time one team scored, the other didn’t take too long to answer, and that was evident as no team led by more than one score (biggest lead was Saskatchewan by seven).

Early in the fourth and final quarter was the one where it seemed one team tried to take over, as Laval put themselves by 10, (27-17) which was the largest lead of the game for either side.

The Huskies, however, wouldn’t quit and looked like they were destined to return this contest to a one-score game, with roughly 9:30 remaining.

This was set up by a 35-yard pass to Caleb Morin, which brought the Dogs to the Rouge et Or six-yard line.

Unfortunately, for Saskatchewan, on the very next play, it was an uncharacteristic interception by Mason Nyhus, into the hands of Felix Petit, as the Huskies reached the red zone and came up empty.

Following this, the Huskies’ defence would quickly get the ball back into the hands of the offence, putting them back on the Laval side of the field, courtesy of the special teams unit and Rhett Vavra’s 35-yard punt return.

This led to a quick-strike score, as they amassed a four-play, 51-yard drive for a major, only taking 2:10 of the clock, and bringing the game back to just a three-point deficit (27-24).

The Laval offence would quickly go back to work as a follow-up, which saw the Rouge et Or look like they had put the game on ice with a touchdown before a collection of penalties gave them just a field goal.

This gave the U of S a chance for a last-minute comeback (1:44 remaining and down by six, 30-24), but the Dogs would end up a yard short on a 3rd and 6 play, from their own 34.

The Huskies’ defence quickly came back on the field and immediately stopped Laval, holding them to two plays and three yards in just 14 seconds.

Now, it was do-or-die time, as Saskatchewan had just 34 seconds to drive the length of the field.

A historic comeback just wasn’t in the cards for the U of S, at least on this day, as a Jean-W Rouleau sack, for a loss of eight yards on 2nd and 4, set up a 3rd and 12 on the Saskatchewan 18-yard line, before an incomplete pass intended for Daniel Perry, with nine seconds remaining, officially sealed this game shut, handing the 57th Vanier Cup to the Laval Rouge et Or.

Post Game

For the Huskies’ star quarterback, today marked his last time in a Dogs jersey, as he just missed out on two Vanier Cups in the final years of his University football career.

Mason Nyhus in his final U Sports game (Photo credit/Brandon VandeCaveye)

The 2022 Canada West player of the year, Mason Nyhus spoke to HuskieFAN after the disappointing loss, regarding his team’s play.

“You never want to lose that, but that’s sports, that’s life and that’s football, sometimes you’re gonna come up a little short and we came up a possession short today,” he said.

“‘I’m proud of the guys, I thought we played a solid football game, you know Laval’s a good team, you gotta tip your caps to them., they played really well. It’s just one of those things where you can look back and hopefully there are some other plays you could have made but overall I’m just proud of the guys for the way they fought.”

Nyhus also reflected on his career in the green and white.

“I am forever grateful for my time here in Saskatoon and as a Huskie. I guess walking off the field, just talking to friends, talking to my girlfriend, and talking to my parents. Just so grateful for such a good support system around me, I couldn’t have done it without any of those people,” he added.

“I’m just so proud to be a Huskie, I’ll always be a Huskie, and hopefully, they will get a Vanier and kind of avenge one of these last few losses because they definitely hurt.”

And as for his head coach, Scott Flory, he will now have to navigate the future without Nyhus, as well as three others, as the quest for a Huskies’ third-straight Vanier Cup appearance nears closer.

In the meantime, Flory stayed in the moment and told HuskieFAN about this game and this season.

“I’m really proud of this group… this is an outstanding group of young men that have never stopped and have never quit, they just keep fighting. They talk about losing guys, turnover this and that, but they stuck together,” Flory said.

“Laval made some plays, they had some chunk plays, they took some shots over the top and they connected on it, and we did too. We missed a couple and they just ended up making more of them than we did and that ended up being the difference in the football game.”

Flory also praised the U of S faithful for the love and support they continue to show this program and team, no matter the day, time, place, circumstances, or conditions.

“You look at the support that this program has and we travel well. We go everywhere, and we’re incredibly well represented, with class and grace. When we go to UBC we usually outnumber them and when we go to Alberta we usually outnumber them in fans,” added Flory.

“That’s something that people are tied to this program and it’s greatly appreciated and respected within the locker room and within our coaching staff, for sure.”

Player Performances

Laval receiver and Hec Crighton Trophy winner, Kevin Mital was named the Vanier Cup MVP. He finished with eight receptions for 142 yards, along with a one-yard passing TD.

Rouge et Or kicker Vincent Blanchard kicked a Vanier Cup, record-tying five field goals, David Dallaire had a 14-yard touchdown catch, Kalenga Muganda had 76 yards rushing and a major score, and Arnaud Desjardins went 27-36 with 397 yards passing.

As for the Dogs, Nyhus went 34-43 for 344 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, Ted Kubongo and Ryker Frank each had 65 yards rushing, Caleb Morin had 97 yards receiving, and Rhett Vavra, Daniel Wiebe, and Everett Iverson each had a receiving TD.

Canadian Dynasty

This was the third time Laval had beaten Saskatchewan in the Vanier Cup, previously doing so in 2004 in Hamilton, and in 2006 at Saskatoon.

This was the Rouge et Or’s 10th title under head coach Glen Constantin, improving the school’s record to 11-2 in the championship game.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8

by Ben Tompkins

Huskies lose second-straight Vanier Cup

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