Box Score 
By Daniel Herrick, Sports Information Student Assistant
Fifth-year receiver Mitch Stevens scored three touchdowns to lead the No. 9 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies to a 40-33 season opening win over the University of Regina Rams Friday night in Saskatoon.
Stevens tallied at 13:29 in the first quarter on a 11-yard play, again at 14:16 in the second on a 29-yard grab and finally at 8:16 in the fourth to seal the Huskies’ win. The veteran Saskatchewan offence combined for 507 yards in the high scoring affair.
Game Stats
It is the 11th straight year the Huskies have won their Canada West conference debut.
Saskatchewan seemed to have the game in control leading 22-7 after the first frame and shutting the Rams in the second quarter 10-0 to lead 32-7 at half. But Regina found a bounce in their step in the second half.
A missed Huskies’ field goal seemed to be the turning point for Regina. Rams’ quarterback Cayman Shutter hooked up with receiver Jared Janotta for a 24-yard pass over the middle leading to a 34-yard Zach Schmidt field goal at 11:13 of the third quarter.
An interception by Connor Ketchen on the Huskies’ ensuing drive led to a Landon Buch touchdown. Shutter then found Kolten Solomon for a 98-yard catch and run. The Rams completed the two-point convert to close the gap to eight.
Making up for a botched snap in the first quarter giving the Huskies’ a safety, Justin Edralin recovered a Saskatchewan fumble in the end zone on a punt. After a two-point conversion, the game was tied at 33.
After Stevens’ third score put the Huskies ahead, the final minutes would be wild for both sides. The Huskies failed to put together first downs to kill the clock, while the Rams would throw two interceptions, one by punter Zach Schmidt after a bobbled snap, in the final minutes.
Burko finished the night 23-of-35 for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Shutter went 20-for-40 for 319 yards and one touchdown in his first CIS game.
After Stevens’ 83 yards on five catches was Garrett Burgess. The fifth-year receiver had 7 catches for 54 yards. Running back Dexter Janke would finish the night with 116 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in his first game since suffering a knee injury in 2012. The Huskies rushed for a combined 267 yards.
Addison Richards was the top receiver for Regina with 105 yards on nine catches. Michael Kiapway had seven carries for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Saskatchewan held the Rams offense to just 299 yards, had five sacks and forced four turnovers. Leading the way was defensive back Keegan Arnyek with 5.5 tackles and one interception.
Regina was led on defense by defensive back Brady Aulie’s seven tackles. Linebacker Michael Stefanovic had six tackles and a forced fumble.
The Rams will host Calgary in Week 2 of the Canada West season, while Saskatchewan will travel to Manitoba.
