SASKATOON, Sask. – The Manitoba Bisons battled back from an early 15-point deficit and pulled within four points in the third quarter, but the Saskatchewan Huskies used a strong finish to secure a 39-20 Canada West victory on Friday night.
Saskatchewan struck late in the first quarter when quarterback Anton Amundrud found Rhett Vavra for a touchdown before connecting with Dawson Lennea on a deep scoring strike in the second quarter to make it 14-0.
The Bisons' defense came up with key plays to keep the game within reach. Destiny Okedara recovered a Saskatchewan fumble, while Carter Dallas intercepted an Amundrud pass in the end zone to halt another Huskies drive.
After a Maya Turner field goal got Manitoba on the board, Saskatchewan added a safety to take a 17-3 lead. The Bisons responded before halftime when a botched Huskies punt gave Manitoba possession deep in Saskatchewan territory. Aidan Wiberg capped the short drive with a one-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 17-10 heading into the break.
Manitoba carried that momentum into the third quarter. Turner's second field goal of the game brought the Bisons within 17-13, but Saskatchewan answered with a field goal of its own before taking control in the fourth.
The Huskies stretched their lead with a touchdown pass from Amundrud to Keenan Belyea and later added a one-yard rushing touchdown from Jake Farrell to make it 34-13.
The Bisons continued to battle late as Cole Anseeuw engineered an 80-yard scoring drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown run by Ishe Matanga. Saskatchewan, however, closed out the game with a late safety and field goal.
Anseeuw threw for 176 yards, while Matanga added a rushing touchdown. Nathan Udoh led Manitoba receivers with five catches, and Rylan Klenk recorded four receptions.
Defensively, Dario Macchia and Owen Miller paced the Bisons with eight tackles apiece. Dallas added an interception and seven tackles, while Okedara recovered a fumble.
The loss drops Manitoba to 3-3 on the season, now sitting in the final playoff spot in the tight Canada West standings. The Bisons travel to Calgary to take on the 2-4 Dinos next Saturday at 2 p.m. You can catch the action on Canada West TV.
