Matt Johnson, Huskie Athletics
SASKATOON - In a crucial Canada West clash, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team clinched a spot in the playoffs as they picked a monumental victory over the Manitoba Bisons by a score of 27-4, at Griffiths Stadium inside Nutrien Park in Saskatoon, SK. on Oct. 20.
The Huskies took over the game in the second half, as they shutout the Bisons in the final two-quarters of play and registered 25 unanswered points.
A trio of fifth-year athletes stood out for Saskatchewan in their final regular season game on home turf.
Quarterback Kyle Siemens threw for 262 yards and one touchdown, and also set a career high in rushing yards in a single game with 84 yards, with 42 of those yards coming on a big run of the third quarter which is also currently the longest carry of his career.
"He played how I knew he would. He is the leader of this football team, and he knows that. He came out and played a great game," Flory said.
Fellow fifth-year Tyler Chow was instrumental in the ground game, as his powerful running style took a toll on the Bisons in the second half. Chow totalled 83 yards and a touchdown on the ground while adding three receptions for 26 yards and a receiving touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tristian Koronkiewicz had a day as registered three tackles, a tackle for a loss and a sack. In his final regular season game at Griffiths he also recovered a fumble and ran it back for the first U SPORTS touchdown of his career, sealing the victory for the Huskies.
"I'm really proud of Tristian, the way he has responded this season and the game that he had today," Flory said. "He absolutely deserves all the accolades he gets for what he's done for this football team."
For the Bisons, Victor St. Pierre Laviolette ran the ball eight times for 108 yards, and Des Catellier threw the ball well before exiting with an injury, hitting for 142 yards through the air.
The victory moved the Huskies to 4-3 on the season and clinched a playoff spot for the program, as they will return to the postseason after missing out on the big dance one year ago.
Meanwhile, for Manitoba, the loss drops them to 3-4 on the season, and their playoff fate will be decided in the final week of the regular season.
After a Huskies punt on the opening drive of the football game, the Bisons offence went to work. Catellier connected with Lyles for a 38-yard reception, setting up Manitoba at the one-yard line. However, the Huskies defense stood strong, with Tom Whiting making a massive tackle on Lyles to bring up third down.
On the ensuing play, Catellier spotted Macho Bockru in the corner of the end zone. However, he stepped out of bounds before catching the ball, resulting in a ten-yard penalty. Brad Milkouff stepped up and nailed an 18-yard field goal to cap a 14 play, 82-yard drive, to give the Bisons a 3-0 lead.
On the ensuing Bisons drive after a Huskies punt, Koronkiewicz brought pressure and took down Catellier on first-down for a loss of ten yards. The sack ultimately led to a safety, as the Bisons elected to play field position and run the ball out of the back of the end zone to make the score 3-2.
Siemens and the Saskatchewan offense started to find their groove and orchestrated a drive late in the second half. Colton Klassen had carries of 15 and 14 yards on slotback reverses. Siemens then spotted Jesse Kuntz for receptions of 14 and 11 yards, setting up the Huskies inside the two-yard line. However, Manitoba responded with a goal-line stop of their own, holding strong and shutting down the Huskies on three straight carries.
The Huskies defence would score the next points in the game when Tom Whiting made another monster defensive play, as he was able to wrap up Catellier on the blitz, recording a safety for the Huskies and making it a 4-4 game.
The tied score-line would carry into halftime, as the two programs were engaged in all-out defensive battle. Through two quarters, the Huskies racked up 173 total yards, while the Bisons recorded 135 total yards of their own.
On the first Bisons drive of the second half Catellier connected to Trysten Dyce for a nine-yard reception, but Tom Whiting made a crucial tackle on Lyles to get the defence off of the field.
The Huskies appeared to have carried their late first-half momentum over into the fresh quarter, as Tyler Chow went back to work, grinding out long runs. However, the drive was stalled after Siemens spotted Carter Dahl over the middle of the field near the first-down sticks, Shae Weeks forced a fumble for the Bisons, which was recovered by Chris Larsen.
After the Huskies defence forced a Bisons punt, Siemens took off for a 42-yard carry, as he squeaked through a hole in the middle of the field and made the most of the open space, setting up the Huskies inside the red zone.
From there Siemens would connect with a fellow-fifth year, as Chow leaked out of the backfield, snagged a reception and snuck into the end zone to give the Huskies the 11-4 lead capping a seven-play, 107-yard drive.
The Bisons started to move the ball up the field, as Catellier and Bockru connected for a chunk of 11 yards and then Victor St. Pierre Laviolette rifled off a 20-yard carry. However, the drive was stopped in its tracks when Riley Pickett made his way into the Bisons backfield and brought down Catellier for a loss of six yards.
The ground game of the Huskies began to take over in the fourth quarter, with Klassen ripping off a 32-yard scramble, which was followed up by a ten-yard rush from Tyler Chow.
With Saskatchewan set up inside the red zone, Chow would do the rest, as he punched in his second major of the day to give the Huskies a 19-4 lead.
After Catellier exited the game with an injury, Jamie Ybarra stepped in at quarterback for Manitoba; however, Saskatchewan's defence continued his dominant play. After a botched snap, Koronwiewicz made a play to remember in his final regular season game at Griffiths Stadium, scooping up the fumble and running it back 39 yards to the house, to put the Huskies up 27-4.
The two programs will conclude their regular seasons in week eight, as Saskatchewan travels south to take on the Regina Rams on Oct. 20. The Huskies will look for a victory and a Thunderbirds loss to host a home playoff game.
Meanwhile, Manitoba will take on UBC in Winnipeg as they fight for their playoff lives in front of a home crowd.
Both games can be watched live on CanadaWest.TV.