Football

HUSKIES HOST T-BIRDS FOR BLACKOUT

Game Date: Saturday, October 1, 2014, 7pm
Game Location: Griffiths Stadium in PotashCorp Park

Live TV Broadcast: Shaw

Live Radio Broadcast: CK 750,www.ck750.com

Live Stats/ Live Webcast: canadawest.tv 

THE GAME
Looking to stay at the top of the standings entering bye week, the No. 7 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies will host the UBC Thunderbirds Saturday for Blackout in the first of two meetings between the teams in 2014. 

BROADCAST INFO
Kickoff is 7 p.m. local time on Friday. The game can be watched live on Shaw Cable. It is also available live on CK750 or www.ck750.com or via webcast at canadawest.tv.

THE HEADLINES

  • Saskatchewan (No. 7) is one of three Canada West teams to hold a spot in the CIS Top 10. Calgary (No. 2) and Manitoba (No. 10) join the Huskies in the national rankings.
  • The Huskies are now tied for first-place in the Canada West after the Calgary Dinos forfeited a win due to an academically ineligible player in a win over the Alberta Golden Bears.
  • This is the final game of the first half of the Canada West football season. All teams will have a league-wide bye over the Thanksgiving weekend. Saskatchewan returns to the field on October 17 in Manitoba.
  • Third-year starting quarterback Drew Burko is steadily moving up the Huskies’ all-time career lists in yards, pass completion and touchdowns (see media notes page 8).
  • The historic Vanier Cup trophy is set to make a stop in Saskatoon during the 50th Vanier Cup Celebration tour this week. Given to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football champion, the Vanier Cup is on a 15 stop country-wide campus tour to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the trophy. The tour will end at the milestone CIS football championship game in Montreal. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies has deep roots with the Vanier Cup. Not only have the Huskies participated in the championship final nine times, but have been crowned champions three times – 1990, 1996 and 1998. The U of S were also proud hosts of the Vanier Cup in 2006. It was the first time the event was held outside of Ontario. The Cup will visit:
    • Friday, October 3rd – Huddle Up With BT, 12pm-1pm, Saskatoon Club
    • Saturday, October 4th – On display 11am – 2pm; Autograph Session, 1-2pm, Huskie Store, Centre Mall
      • 31-year head coach Brian Towriss, as well as two-time Vanier Cup champion and three-time Grey Cup champion Scott Flory will be at the store signing autographs for fans from 1 to 2pm. The trophy will be on display at the store beginning at 11am.
    • Saturday, October 4th – Photo Session, 5:30pm – 6:45pm, Griffiths Stadium in PotashCorp Park
      • Don’t miss your opportunity to have your photo taken with the Vanier Cup by Huskie Athletics official photographer Josh Schaefer. All photos will be made available to fans for free. 

THUNDERBIRDS/HUSKIES SERIES
Since 1998, the Huskies are 20-4 against the Thunderbirds in conference games. Saskatchewan won the lone conference meeting in 2013 17-12 in Vancouver. The Huskies also won a non-conference meeting between the two in 2013 – 25-8 in Saskatoon. 

UBC THUNDERBIRDS (1-3)
After opening the season with three straight losses, the UBC Thunderbirds found a stride defeating the Alberta Golden Bears 49-13 in Week 4.

UBC used a big second half to secure the victory. Leading 10-6 at halftime, the T-Birds tallied just under 400 yards of total offence in the second half. Rookie slotback and returner Marcus Davis was a big part of the surge recording 253 all-purpose yards, a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown. He also had a 98 yard punt return. On the run game, the T-Birds picked up 241 yards on 31 carriers after having just 25 rushing yards at halftime.

Quarterback Carson Williams finished the game 21-for-31 for 302 yards and two touchdowns.

No. 7 UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (3-1)
Rebounding in Week 4 with a comeback 21-16 win on the road over the Regina Rams, the Huskies will look to remain in the win column entering bye week.

In the final few minutes of the game, quarterback Drew Burko engineered an eight-play, 74-yard drive that was capped by a five-yard touchdown pass to Shane Buchanan to give the team a five-point lead. Saskatchewan’s defence was able to stop a game-winning touchdown attempt with a tip and interception by Keegen Arnyek.

Burko finished the game in impressive fashion once again going 30-for-46 for 343 yards and two touchdowns. John Trumpy was his main target catching nine balls for 111 yards, while 2012 All-Canadian Kit Hillis finished with six receptions for 85 yards.

Saskatchewan’s defence continued to force turnovers. The group has three fumble recoveries, eight interceptions – three in last week’s win - and six sacks.

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