The Manitoba Bisons (1-0) took a commanding 27-9 half time lead over the visiting No. 4 Saskatchewan Huskies (0-1) on Friday night at IG Field and didn't look back, winning in the season opener for both teams 43-19.
Manitoba's defensive efforts were a huge storyline in this one, as the hosts recorded 27 points on seven total turnovers, four of which occurred in the first half.
"I thought [Saskatchewan quarterback] Mason Nyhus had a really good game, except we made some plays on him," Bisons head coach Brian Dobie said postgame.
"There's no question that turnovers were the most significant part of the game and we by far won that battle."
Offensively, the Bisons were able to play with a short field on more than one occasion, with fourth-year receiver Macho Bockru reaping the rewards including two first half touchdown grabs and three overall. The first came from six yards out, the second from 30 and the third from 37. He finished the game leading all players with 99 yards on six grabs.
With ten starters back on both sides of the ball, the Huskies — last year's Hardy Cup champions — had tons of reasons for optimism entering 2019. They started the game strong with an opening possession field goal after a play, yard drive. Receiver Yiol Piok was a massive reason why, making a few key grabs while finishing the night with five receptions for 68 yards and a score.
But Manitoba answered back with a Bockru major on their first possession, thanks to a solid balance of run and pass. They didn't trail for the rest of the contest despite facing a fearsome Huskies defence that got to Manitoba starting pivot Des Catellier twice while holding him to just 163 yards.
The Bisons' first turnover was arguably their most important, recorded by halfback Shae Weekes. Up 7-3 with a minute left in the opening frame, they found themselves on the heels of a well-balanced Huskies attack led by Nyhus, who was in his first full year as the man after the graduation of Kyle Siemens. He ended the night throwing for 315 yards and the one major but also had two critical interceptions, including the play by Weekes with the Huskies driving just outside the Manitoba 20.
Weekes' tally opened the floodgates, as true freshman Austin Balan also grabbed a first half interception while linebacker Julian Luis and defensive end Chris Larsen both picked up fumble recoveries in the first half.
The Huskies made a push late, narrowing the score to as much as 30-19 midway through the fourth quarter thanks to the play of running back Josh Ewanchyna, who entered the game in the second half after an injury to starter Adam Machart. He ended the contest with eight carries for 66 yards, but it wasn't enough to contain a Manitoba defence that finished the game with four sacks and three more second half turnovers, including a key fumble recovery by defensive tackle Cole Adamson at the Manitoba one yard line.
Kicker Matt Riley also had ice in his veins for the hosts, going five-for-five on field goal attempts.
"He was perfect. He was five-for-five and it wasn't even close," Dobie said. "It looked to me like most of those were decisive shots right through the uprights with plenty of leg on them."
Next up for Manitoba is a tilt against Calgary on the road at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6 while the Huskies will host UBC on the same day at 7 p.m.
