Courtesy: Mike Lynden

By Wray Morrison

The 1998 Vanier Cup

Todd Lynden remembers the Huskies’ most recent Vanier Cup win, 25 years ago.

Apr 24, 2023 | 4:26 PM

“I don’t think it was a pretty game, but we delivered when we needed to.” That was Todd Lynden’s take on the Huskies’ November 28, 1998 Vanier Cup win over the Concordia Stingers at Toronto’s Skydome. Saskatchewan’s 24-17 victory was the third university football championship for the U of S football team and its most recent.

Lynden, who now works with TD Securities in Toronto, openly admits he doesn’t recall all of the details from the game 25 years ago but remembers how talented the squad was. “We had a pretty stacked offensive line”, remembers Lynden. Kevin Lefsrud, Kelly Bates and Scott Flory all went on to play in the Canadian Football League. The talent up front opened the door for some big play makers.

Both Lynden and long-time friend, Doug Rozon, were huge contributors. Lynden caught a 9 yard pass from quarterback Ryan Reid to break a 3-3 tie in the second quarter. Rozon finished the 1998 championship game with 140 yards in rushing. Lynden says Rozon didn’t get the credit he deserved for his play. “I remember that Doug didn’t win.” (Hec Crighton Trophy for Canada’s outstanding university football player) “He probably should have.” Rozon and Lydnen currently live 40 minutes away from one another in Ontario.

Linebacker Warren Muzika, who is currently the teams’ defensive coordinator, was part of a stingy Saskatchewan defense that allowed just one touchdown in the game. Not only did Muzika go on to be named the top defensive university player in Canada but had a strong CFL career which included a 1999 Grey Cup championship with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Trevor Ludtke, a Regina born linebacker, scored the winning points on a fumble recovery in the endzone with a little over 7 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, breaking a 17-17 tie. “Trevor had a great game”, said Lynden. Defensive back Kurtis Albers, from Humboldt, also had three interceptions. “I don’t think we had a weak spot”, said Lynden. Kicker Matt Kellett, who was a Canada West All-Canadian, also went on to a CFL career.

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The 1998 Huskie team finished the regular season with a 6 and 2 record then advanced to the Hardy Cup where they defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 31-28. The U of S then posted a 33-17 win over the Western Mustangs in the 1998 Churchill Bowl at Griffiths Stadium. Lynden remembers the Mustangs arriving at the U of S campus.

“It has been minus 50 all week. I remember standing out there, playing catch with Mark Dutton. Some guys were shirtless because -10 (for the game) felt glorious. When London got off the bus they took a look and they knew they were in some trouble.” They were right. Reid threw for 252 yards, while Rozon had 214 yards in rushing.

The 1998 championship season capped off a dominant decade. The Huskies made four Vanier Cup appearances in the ‘90’s with the other victories coming in 1990 and 1996. Saskatchewan has made 11 Vanier Cup appearances in total, including 2021 and 2022.

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @wraymorrison