It's a busy weekend at IG Field, as football and soccer host their home openers. The action kicks off on Friday at 7 pm with the football team, followed up by soccer on Saturday and Sunday. Click here for football tickets and here for soccer tickets. 

Football looks for first win against Huskies since 2019 (click here for the media guide)
Two of the top programs in the country renew a classic rivarly on Friday night at 7 pm at IGF in Winnipeg, as the No. 10 Manitoba Bisons host the No. 3 Saskatchewan Huskies. Fans unable to watch the game live can tune into canadawest.tv, SaskTel maxTV and maxTV Stream, and TELUS Optik TV subscribers can also catch the game on TV. 

The Huskies have had Manitoba's number over the last number of years, with the Herd's last win coming in 2019 at home, also in each team's season opener. The Green Dogs have beaten the Bisons in the playoffs each of the last two seasons, including the 2021 Hardy Cup in Saskatoon. Overall, they are 5-1 in their last six games against UM and 8-2 in their last ten. 

There are a handful of players still left from the last time Manitoba defeated Sask 43-19. Notably, defensive back Austin Balan recorded his first career interception in the contest, along with four tackles. The third-year (three career INTs, 84 tackles) is part of a deep Bisons secondary that returns all five starters from 2022 and 19 overall. The squad finished second in the conference last year with nine interceptions, led by Sebastien Reid's three. 

A major storyline for both teams will be the run game, each both sides are loaded with depth. 

The Bisons return third-year Breydon Stubbs (third in Canada West with 489 rushing yards, tied for first with five majors), while fellow third-years Noah Anderson (career-high 218 rushing yards) and captain Vaughan Lloyd (84 total yards in one half of pre-season action last week) are also threats. 

Expect the Bisons to use their running backs out of the backfield as well. Stubbs had 162 receiving yards and two majors in 2022, while Lloyd led all players with a 57-yard grab against Regina in the pre-season.

On the Huskies' side, 2022 CanWest all-star Ryker Frank is back after putting up 562 yards on the ground in 2022, second overall in the conference. Additionally, Ted Kubongo was seventh, with 287 yards. The former Maine Black Bear also racked up 450 return yards, being named a conference all-star as a returner. Rounding out the trio is former CJFL national champ Josh Ewanchyna, who suffered a week one injury last year, but is also a threat. 

Both teams will have a new signal-caller in 2023. For Manitoba, third-year Jackson Tachinksi, who led the program to the Hardy Cup in 2021 after replacing injured starter Des Catellier, takes the reigns. The 6'4", 225-pound two-sport star has 18 total touchdowns over eight starts, averaging five yards per carry along with 1,298 all-purpose yards. In the pre-season, he had 183 all-purpose yards in one half. 

Saskatchewan will be led by 6'3", 225-pound Anton Amundrud out of Lloydminster. Praised for his arm strength and pocket presence, he threw majors of 75 and 58 in a 48-6 pre-season win over Calgary. 


Soccer aims to keep winning ways rolling against familiar foes 
Coming off their first win of the season, 2-1 over Lethbridge, the women's soccer team will look to keep their momentum going in a two-game set against rivals MacEwan and Alberta. The action starts on Saturday at 2 pm against Alberta, followed by a 1 pm tilt against MacEwan the next day. 

Manitoba faced both of these teams in the pre-season, going 1-1 against MacEwan, the 2021 national champs. They also scored twice against Alberta. 

Forward Camila Goldsztein scored the first two goals of her Bisons career last weekend in the team's shutout win over Lethbridge, with the opening goal coming in the first 30 seconds. Her speed is one of her biggest strengths, along with teammate Nicole Davis, who assisted her on her first marker. Davis is the fastest player on the team, running 30 yards in just over four seconds. 

The Bisons' catalysts are captain Jessica Tsai and fellow veteran Chloe Morin in the midfield. The pair are excellent at winning one-on-one battles and fans can expect the pair to create plenty of chances due to their experience and soccer IQ. Tsai recorded her 20th career assist last weekend, just six shy of tying Desiree Scott for first all-time. 

In net, fifth-year Karina Bagi has tallied seven shutouts as a Bison and her ability to stretch the field with her long ball has caused problems for teams in the past. 

Alberta's offence is led by forward Erin Hope and midfielder Adrienne Poulin. The latter is a former track and field athlete who did sprints and triple jump, and she uses her speed to capitalize on her chances. She scored against Saskatchewan last weekend, while Hope had an assist in the team's first game. The pair's chemistry helps set them apart, and Manitoba is prepared to shut them down. 

The Griffins are led by forward Grace Mwasalla and defender Anneke Odinga. The former scored three goals last weekend while the latter is the team's lock-down defender.