Game Information

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Date: Friday, Oct. 4
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saskatoon, Sask.
Venue: Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park
Watch: SaskTel Max / Canadawest.tv
Listen: CJWW 600
 
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team will play under the lights on Friday night in a pivotal Canada West clash against the visiting Manitoba Bisons in a meeting between two programs well on their way towards a second-consecutive postseason appearance.
 
The Huskies will be looking to remain undefeated on home turf this season, as they search for their second consecutive victory after taking care of business with a 29-15 victory over Calgary in a week five match that served as a rematch of the 2018 Hardy Cup.
 
Meanwhile, Manitoba enters as winners of back-to-back games, after they were able to squeak out a victory over the Regina Rams at home via a last-second Matt Riley 39-yard field goal to give the Bisons a 27-26 win.
 
While the four playoff teams appear to be set in stone, there is still lots at stake with the two teams jockeying for position in the conference standings. Calgary and Alberta enter their matchup each with 4-1 records, while similarly in Saskatoon, Manitoba and Saskatchewan take the field Friday night with matching records of 3-2.
 
The Huskies are attempting to host their first home playoff game since 2014, while the Bisons have not played a postseason game at Investors Group Field since 2013.
 
Saskatchewan, who received a road-heavy first half, is in the midst of playing three of their final four regular-season games in Saskatoon and will be hoping home-field advantage will play in their favour as they aim to finish the season off on a high note.
 
The Huskies will be seeking revenge on the Bisons, who opened their season with a convincing 43-19 victory on Aug. 30 in Winnipeg.

5 Things
 
1: Huskies running back Adam Machart is the leading rusher in the nation, averaging 142.4 yards-per-game through five weeks. Machart's average is a whopping 72.6 yards more than Michael Ritchott who is second in the conference with 69.8 yards-per-game.
 
2: Since the Huskies fell to 43-19 to the Bisons in the season opener, Saskatchewan has won three of their last four games, outscoring their opponents 130-50 over that stretch. 
 
3: The matchup will feature three of the premier pass rushers in the conference. Each of the top-three sacks leaders will suit up in the contest, Manitoba defensive linemen Derek Dufault leads Canada West with five sacks this season, boosted by his three-sack performance against Saskatchewan in week one. Huskies Evan Machibroda and Nicholas Dheilly round out the top-three, as each enters the contest with four sacks apiece.
 
4: Entering the pivotal Canada West clash, Saskatchewan holds a 47-46 advantage all-time over Manitoba.
 
5: With the Canada West bye taking place next week, which precedes the Dogs travelling west to take on UBC in week seven action, the Huskies will not be back on home turf until Oct. 26 against Alberta.

By the Numbers
 
5 – Bisons receiver Macho Bockru, who broke onto the CW scene with a dominant six reception, 99-yard, three-touchdown opening weekend performance against the Huskies, leads the conference in receiving majors with five through four weeks. Saskatchewan will need to shore up its coverage on the fourth-year receiver in the program's second meeting of the season.
 
184 – Huskies linebacker Ben Whiting sits third in Huskies career all-time total tackles. Whiting trails current Saskatchewan defensive coordinator Warren Muzika by 37 tackles with three regular season games to go.
 
7 – Following the Huskies victory over the Dinos, they are now the number-one ranked Canada West team in the U SPORTS top ten, slotting in at seventh. Saskatchewan leapfrogged Calgary who slid to eighth. Meanwhile, Manitoba was an honourable mention as the first team outside the rankings at number 11.
 
452.6 – The Huskies lead the Canada West with 452.6 yards of offence per-game.

Scouting the Bisons
 
Through five weeks of Canada West action, the Bisons have positioned themselves well to qualify for their second-consecutive postseason appearance, after the program missed out on the playoffs in both 2016 and 2017. 
 
Manitoba is led by head coach Brian Dobie, who has been at the helm of the program since 1996. The five-time Canada West Coach of the Year has positioned the Bisons to qualify for their second-consecutive postseason appearance after the program missed out on the playoffs in both 2016 and 2017.  
 
Fourth-year quarterback Des Catellier has had an up-and-down season following his tremendous three-touchdown performance against Saskatchewan in week one, where he completed 73.7 per cent of his passes in the team's blowout win. Since then, the Calgary native has completed 56.5 per cent of his passes, while throwing three touchdowns to six interceptions during the team's previous four games.
 
Manitoba has relied on a running back by-committee approach, with three separate running backs carrying the ball at least 25 times this season. Michael Richott has been the most efficient of the bunch, totalling 349 yards and three touchdowns on three carries, including a 58-yard touchdown scamper against Saskatchewan in week one. Former Saskatoon Hilltop Logan Fischer has racked up 143 yards on 27 carries, while Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette sits at 275 yards on 43 carries.