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The University of Saskatchewan Huskies didn’t let a slow start deny them a championship celebration.
Saskatchewan defeated the Manitoba Bisons 45-17 Saturday afternoon at Griffiths Stadium in the 84th edition of the Canada West fall classic.
Manitoba got out to an early 16-0 lead after an uncharacteristic start from the Huskies filled with mistakes in the opening minutes before outscoring the Bisons 45-1 the rest of the game.
“The first quarter, we were doing everything right and they were not,” Bisons head coach Brian Dobie said. “We were the better team in the first quarter.”
It’s the 20th Hardy Cup win for the Huskies and first since 2018. The Bisons were looking to win the program’s first Hardy Cup since 2014.
An interception from his star quarterback and a fumble from his star running back didn’t faze Huskies head coach Scott Flory.
“We came out too fired up. We kind of lost our minds at the beginning of the game. We spotted them 16 (points) right off the hop,” Flory said.
Arjay Shelley intercepted Nyhus on the game’s opening drive and returned the ball 65 yards to set up the Bisons on the Huskies 24-yard line for a quick score shortly afterwards.
After a safety, Michael Ritchott would dodge multiple Huskies defenders en route to a 53-yard touchdown run for a 16-0 lead with a little more than two minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
“Nobody blinked,” Flory said. “We just knew if we take care of ourselves and eliminate those mistakes, good things will happen.”
Saturday was the third consecutive season the Huskies have been to the Hardy Cup, winning two out of the three. They beat the Calgary Dinos 43-18 in 2018 but lost to the Dinos 29-4 in 2019. The 2020 U Sports season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dobie had nothing but admiration for the Huskies after the Dogs managed to keep the Bisons limited as he watched the offence slowly come to life.
“They just grind you down. It’s such a methodical offence. The rest was a big score, unfortunately,” he said.
Fresh after the loss, Dobie didn’t hesitate to call the Huskies the best team in the country.
“I pulled certain guys aside and just sincerely wished them the best. I don’t believe for a second they’re not the best team in the country,” Dobie said. “This team’s got Vanier written all over it.”
Running back Adam Machart led the way on the ground with 223 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
“We know the team, we know what we’re capable of,” Machart said, attributing the early jitters to frustration.
Machart was able to score a touchdown and watch a Huskies field goal sail through the uprights for a 16-12 Bisons lead at the half. Then the defence and Machart took the game over.
Two more Machart touchdowns would get the Huskies the lead and grow it to 26-16 at the end of the third quarter.
First-year linebacker Lane Novak intercepted Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski to help turn the tide the Huskies way. He couldn’t pin the third quarter improvements on any one thing.
“I don’t know if it’s anything about the halftime or if it’s anything about the third quarter, we just get our grove going as a team,” he said. “We just break teams down. That’s why we’ve been able to have success in that third and fourth quarter.”
Colton Klassen delivered a halftime speech that would galvanize his team for the comeback win.
“We came out right at half, guns firing and took over that game,” he added.
Saskatchewan’s defence was stout, with Manitoba quarterback Jackson Tachinski throwing three interceptions and was sacked three times.
Machart was on the field when the Huskies last hoisted the Hardy Cup in 2018, but this time he was able to do it in front of the hometown fans in Saskatoon.
“It’s not just about us, it’s about this whole community. It’s a win for the Huskies family as a whole. Seeing the smiling faces of everyone is really satisfying and shows us that we’re working for something.”
Saskatchewan now advances to next week’s Uteck Bowl to face the Montreal Carabins in the national semifinal. The winner advances to the Vanier Cup.
So how long will Machart celebrate this win?
“I’ll give it about 12 hours, that’s it,” Machart replied with a smile.