Courtesy: Huskie Athletics

By Wray Morrison

Life after Mason

Scott Flory talks quarterbacks

Mar 27, 2023 | 3:38 PM

There is no denying it. The Huskie offense will look different in 2023 with someone other than Hec Crighton Trophy nominee, Mason Nyhus, in as starting quarterback. When you factor in Covid-19, Nyhus spent over six seasons with the Huskie program. He was Saskatchewan’s starter for back-to-back Hardy Cup titles and Vanier Cup appearances in 2021 and 2022. His eight game passing total of 2,817 yards in his final season broke the single-season school record of 2,572 yards set by Kyle Siemens in 2017.

Looking ahead, second year quarterback Anton Amundrud returns to the team with his very strong arm and measured approach. Amundrud, who is from Spruce Grove, Alberta, committed to the Huskies in November of 2019. While he only saw a few snaps in the 2022 regular season finale against Calgary, Huskie head coach Flory has watched Amundrud, week in and week out, for over three years. “He doesn’t have a gregarious personality like Mason. He’s a little bit more reserved. He’s got the strongest arm. He’s just got so much internal confidence. I don’t see him getting rattled. He’s very intrinsically motivated.”

While the change at quarterback will be most noticeable to fans, the Huskie coaching staff is taking comfort in an experienced supporting cast. As many as 11 offensive starters from last season can return for 2023. “There’s an opportunity for us to grow with guys who have been in the system for a while”, said Flory. “With our offensive line another year older, maybe we can be a little more dynamic there. Maybe, with our receiving corps, we can do some different things. Internally, that’s what we are looking at.”

Defensive coordinator Warren Muzika also gets to enjoy the luxury of loads of experience entering 2023. 11 of 12 starters can return from last season’s Hardy Cup championship team. With the graduation of 5^th year nose tackles, Jonathan Leggett and Carson Bell, the Huskies filled that void with the addition of Yorkton product, Reece McCormick.

McCormick, who missed his grade 11 and 12 high school seasons because of the pandemic and injury, has displayed his talents with the Regina Thunder for the last two seasons. He was the PFC’s defensive player of the year in 2022 and also attended the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training camp. “He’s been at pro camp and hasn’t even turned 20 yet”, said Flory. “You’ve got to have speed, you’ve got to be tough, you’ve got to take on double teams, you’ve got to win one-on-one battles. He’s got those skill sets. He can be that guy for us.”

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @wraymorrison