Box Score SASKATOON -- It was a game of runs on Friday night at Griffiths Stadium, as the No. 2 Saskatchewan Huskies topped the No. 9 Manitoba Bisons 43-22, thanks to 24 unanswered points in the second half. The contest was the first regular season game between the two sides since the green dogs' defeat of Manitoba at home in last year's Hardy Cup.
The Bisons had erupted to a 22-19 lead at halftime thanks to 19 straight points, but the wheels fell off in the final 30, as the Herd's offence was held to 19 passing yards and two first downs, both in the third quarter, while the Huskies recorded five sacks overall. The win improves Saskatchewan's record to 5-0, while the Bisons fall to 2-3, holding onto the final playoff spot entering thanksgiving weekend.
Big plays were the story all game for the Huskies, who took the opening kickoff to the house, thanks to a 102-yard score from running back Ted Kubongo, who had 327 all-purpose yards, scoring a major in all three facets. They also got 97 yards on just two catches from receiver Caleb Morin, with both grabs leading to touchdowns while Manitoba's offence was hurt by some costly drops.
Morin's first catch down the pipe for 65 yards came shortly after a
Jackson Tachinski one-yard score for the Bisons, and led to a Kody Gutek touchdown from four yards out which made the score 19-16 for the Herd in the second quarter. His second grab of 32 came on a first and 20 at the Huskies 40 and led to a five-yard Ethan Watson scamper on a third and one. That gave the Huskies a 33-22 lead in the third.
The Bisons had settled into a rhythm in the first half after giving up nine straight, as pivot
Des Catellier threw for 172 yards and a score after 30. His favourite target was
Brendt Adams, who had 98 yards receiving to pull into first on the team with 309 on the year. He had a few highlight-reel grabs and was the beneficiary of Manitoba's first major of the day on a 14-yard reception that gave Manitoba a 12-9 lead early in the second. His 52-yard grab on a play where he tipped the ball to himself and sped away from the Huskies secondary also led to Manitoba field goal to make the score 22-16 with seven minutes to go in the first half.
Turnovers and penalties were also a huge storyline entering the third. The Huskies -- who were second-best in the nation coming in in terms of penalties -- gave up over 80 yards in laundry in the opening 30, which helped extend a few Manitoba drives.
Dolan Hills -- who once again led the Bisons defence with 14 tackles, including three on special teams -- also forced a fumble on a punt that led to the Tachinski major earlier on in the second. Over his last four games, Hills has 41.5 tackles as he continues to impress with injured All-Canadian
Nick Thomas out of the line-up at weak side linebacker. His 14 tackles were also the third most in a game in program history.
The Huskies flipped the switch entirely in the second half. They got a load of pressure on Catellier and capitalized on over 100 yards on the ground from Kubongo. He gave his side a 26-22 lead, one they wouldn't relinquish, after a 12-yard touchdown grab early in the third that was aided by 30 yards between running back Ryker Frank and receiver Daniel Perry. The win extends the Huskies win-streak against the Bisons to three in a row, and they haven't lost against the Herd at Griffiths since 2017.
