Game Information
 
Date: Saturday, Nov. 2
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Vancouver, BC
Venue: Thunderbird Stadium
Watch: SaskTel Max / Canadawest.tv
Listen: CJWW 600

[DOWNLOAD GAME NOTES]
 
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team will return to the postseason after a one-year absence, where they will take on the UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver.
 
The Huskies enter the postseason coming off back-to-back wins and will look to continue that streak come playoff time. After clinching a playoff spot with a victory over Manitoba at Griffiths Stadium, Saskatchewan travelled south and took down their provincial rivals in Regina, by a score of 57-14. The Huskies dominated the Rams, out-gaining their opponent in terms of total offence by a 661-221 margin.
 
However, the Thunderbirds are also getting hot at the right time as they enter the playoffs victorious in their past three  games. UBC defeated Manitoba in the final week of the regular season to finish with a 5-3 record, which clinched a home playoff date with Saskatchewan. After trailing 31-13 at the half, UBC responded with 18 unanswered points to send the game into overtime. After a Bisons field goal on the first possession of the overtime, Michael O'Connor responded and spotted Ben Cummings in the flats, who walked into the end zone to seal the win for the Thunderbirds.
 
The two teams last met during week six of the season, when the Thunderbirds defeated the Huskies on home turf, by a score of 20-10. Michael O'Connor led the way for UBC as the fourth-year quarterback completed 29-35 throws for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Saskatchewan struggled to find the end zone, despite passing for 351 yards as the Thunderbirds defense was the story of the game, racking up four interceptions on the night.
 
5 Things
 
1: The Huskies will return to the postseason, after a monstrous improvement following their 2017 season, where they went 2-6. 

2: Tristian Koronkiewicz and Riley Pickett each finished in the top eight in the country in sacks this season, as the Huskies led the conference in sacks. 

3: Trivel Pinto has powered the Thunderbirds aerial attack as he led the nation in receptions with 67, while leading the Canada West in yards per game. 

4: The matchup will feature two teams who rely on the passing game, as UBC and Saskatchewan finished the regular season as the number two and three ranked teams in passing yards. 

5: UBC has defeated Saskatchewan in three consecutive meetings. 
 
By the Numbers
 
7 – In his fifth and final year with the program, Huskies defensive lineman Tristian Koronkiewicz finished on top of the Canada West with seven sacks on the season.
 
122.6 – Colton Klassen averaged 122.6 all-purpose yards per game during the regular season.
 
640 – Tyler Chow led the Canada West in rushing yards with 640.
 
2009 – The Huskies last reached the Hardy Cup in 2009.
 
Scouting the Thunderbirds 
 
UBC will be looking to return to the Hardy Cup for the fourth consecutive season, as they aim to pick up their second Vanier Cup Championship since 2015.
 
Michael O'Connor threw for 2680 passing yards over eight games, as he recorded 14 passing touchdowns and four interceptions. Ben Cummings led the way on the ground for the Thunderbirds, as he racked up 328 rushing yards and UBC had four different receivers record over 250 receiving yards.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, second-year linebacker Ben Hladik finished second in the Canada West in total tackles with 49.5, while chipping in three sacks and one forced fumble. Fourth-year defensive back Stavros Katsantonis finished in a tie for first in the Canada West with three interceptions, two pass break ups and 22.5 total tackles.