1990 University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team. (sasksportshalloffame.com)

By Wray Morrison

Huskie Football

Back to the future with Duane Dmytryshyn

Sep 6, 2021 | 10:45 PM

Just mention the 1990 Vanier Cup and Duane Dmytryshyn smiles.

Dmytryshyn, who is in his fourth season as receivers coach for the University of Saskatchewan football team, was a running back for the Huskies from 1989 to 1992. After losing in the 1989 Canadian University Championship game to the Western Mustangs, the U of S Huskies returned to the then state-of-the art Skydome in Toronto for the 1990 title game against the St. Mary’s Huskies. Dmytryshyn was part of a group who knew what it took to get to the Vanier Cup, and knew what it would take to win it the following year.

“Every one [on that 1989 U of S football team] that was coming back said we are coming back to win,” Dmytryshyn told HuskieFAN.

That they did; 24-21 over St. Mary’s. Arguably, the most famous play of that game was a hit that Saskatchewan defender Don Bristow put on St. Mary’s quarterback Chris Flynn to force a fumble in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Saskatchewan’s recovery sealed the program’s first Vanier Cup victory.

Dmytryshyn’s take is a little different.

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“I was knocked out, and returned in the second quarter. I remember arguing [with the training staff] saying ‘I’m good’. That doesn’t happen any more.”

Dmytryshyn, who finished the 1990 title game with 15 carries for 50 yards, was not going to be denied the chance to contribute. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies never did trail in that football game, although St. Mary’s erased a 14-0 deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter. All facets of Saskatchewan’s game came to the forefront in the final 15 minutes. U of S quarterback David Earl scored a fourth quarter touchdown to help Saskatchewan to a 24-14 lead. Then, thanks in part to Bristow and the U of S defence, Saskatchewan held off a dangerous St. Mary’s team.

Dmytryshyn now realizes the significance of that championship season more than he did as a 20-year-old student. Some members of that team got together in 2015 for the 25^th anniversary of the 1990 championship game.

“A lot of guys came in for it, and wanted to be part of it”.

Dmytryshyn was happy to see his former teammates re-live that game, but just as happy to hear about what they’ve done since then.

In 2020, Huskies head coach Scott Flory brought back former U of S football players to talk to current members of the team. Dmytryshyn found that very rewarding.

“Some have different careers like police or finance. They come back to share their stories. It shows these players, what’s after football,” he said.

As for Dmytryshyn, he is now in his eleventh year as a teacher at King George School.

The 1990 title was the first of three for the University of Saskatchewan football program.

“That’s a milestone. That’s something that I am pretty proud to be part of.”

Dmytryshyn is not only part of school history, but part of a 2021 coaching staff that can relay the importance of career, school, life and football to a whole new generation of players.

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