EDMONTON - An explosive Huskies offensive attack and numerous costly Golden Bears penalties led to a dominant 38-16 Saskatchewan victory over the hosting Alberta Friday night at Foote Field.
The #2 U SPORTS ranked Saskatchewan Huskies (4-0) had a total of 528 yards of offense on the evening, including 130 on the ground from second-year RB Ryker Frank who added a touchdown on just 12 attempts. The Golden Bears (2-2) defence was also unable to contain the dangerous Saskatchewan passing attack which entered the game as the best in the nation. Fifth-year Huskies QB Mason Nyhus threw for 351 yards and added two touchdowns; fourth-year receiver Daniel Perry being the main beneficiary finishing with six receptions and 115 yards.
The Bears played at par with the Huskies at points in the grudge match, but were undone by sloppy play and costly penalties. They finished with 14 penalties going for a total of 153 yards; many of them coming on second and third downs while on defence giving a dangerous Saskatchewan offence second chances.
Second-year Alberta QB Eli Hetlinger entered the game only trailing Nyhus in all major passing categories in the Canada West, but struggled all night to connect with his receivers and finished with three interceptions against a touchdown. Fourth-year Bears RB Jonathan Rosery had an efficient night on the ground, going for 79 yards on 10 attempts.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Huskies impressed with three interceptions of the upstart Hetlinger, and allowing only 105 yards on the ground. DB Charlie Ringland led the Huskies with five tackles. Alberta's Jassen Brown led all tacklers with 7.5, followed closely by Michael Peloso with seven.
With the win, the Huskies have a firm grasp on first place in the Canada West conference, while Alberta slides down into third place with four game weeks to go.
The first quarter was the quietest of the game amid a short but vicious downpour that greeted the players and fans alike shortly after kickoff. The Huskies would leave the quarter up 10-3 thanks largely to the efforts of Frank who broke off a 77 yard run and followed up with a two-yard punch-in for his only touchdown on the day. A promising Bears drive was cut down when fifth-year DB Katley Joseph made a phenomenal play on a Hetlinger ball to come up with his first interception of the season.
The penalties started piling up and Nyhus' Huskies offence started to ignite in the second, kicked off with an 18 yard touchdown pass to first-year receiver Rhett Vavra to begin the quarter. Huskies kicker David Solie, last week's hero against the Rams, hit two of his five field goals in the second quarter helping bloat the Saskatchewan lead to 25-10 at halftime.
The third was marred by inconsistent drives by both squads, with Bears kicker Jonathan Giustini and Solie trading field goals on what was a phenomenal night for both special teams units.
Any chance at a Bears comeback in front of the 1972 Vanier Cup winning Bears alumni in attendance was thwarted with a phenomenal, off-script touchdown pass from Nyhus to Branson Pipko that made the score 35-16 and thoroughly out of reach for the home side. The game would finish 38-16 after Solie's last field goal on the day.
While undoubtedly a disappointing home result for the Bears, they have a chance to get back on track next Saturday when they travel to Regina to take on the Rams (2-1). The Huskies return home to Saskatoon to take on the Manitoba Bisons (1-2) Friday night.
