GAME INFORMATION
Date: Friday, September 29
Time: 7:00 PM
Co-op Rally Alley: 5:00 PM
Opponent: UBC Thunderbirds
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Venue: Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park
Tickets: HuskieTickets.com
Watch: SaskTel 49, 349 / CanadaWest.TV
Listen: HuskieFAN
SCHEDULE | WATCH LIVE
The Co-op Rally Alley is back for the final time this season. Fans will find happy hour pricing, BBQ, interactive games, and a market highlighting Indigenous artists in our community. The first 800 people though the gates of Griffiths Stadium on Friday night will receive a limited edition Huskie belt bag, courtesy of our game day sponsor, The Wireless Age.
Huskie Athletics is proud to unveil a new logo during the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Week of Reflection, September 25-30. The image was championed by a group of Indigenous Huskie student-athletes who understand that community, representation, and reconciliation all matter.
This logo, created by artist Chris Chipak, from Red Pheasant First Nation, will be featured on orange shirts available to purchase at the game for $24.95. Proceeds will go to support Indigenous youth in our community.
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The Game of the Year
Friday night's game has been on the radar of football fans everywhere since the release of the season schedule back in April – the Saskatchewan Huskies (3-1) against the UBC Thunderbirds (4-0). It's a rematch of last year's Hardy Cup Final, which the Huskies won 23-8.
As part of the University of Saskatchewan's Week of Reflection, the game will honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Join us as we remember and honour residential school survivors and their families, as part of Huskie Athletics commitment to continue to educate and advocate for Truth and Reconciliation.
Saskatchewan is coming off a 28-12 win against the Calgary Dinos that saw running backs dominate the fourth quarter. Touchdowns from Ryker Frank and Ted Kubongo gave the team the edge, as the run game became the priority following some miscues in the pass game. Quarterback Anton Amundrud had 171 yard passing, 20 completions and four interceptions for the Huskies.
The running backs are thriving as a unit, with third year Ted Kubongo racking up 90 rushing yards, 47 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Adding Ryker Frank's 105 yards and fourth quarter touchdown, it's easy to see why these two are in the top five in Canada West rushing.
Saskatchewan's defence continues to be a dominant force, with linebacker Nick Wiebe averaging 6.3 tackles per game. The team's defensive line has been outstanding this season, with Nathan Jule, Reece McCormick, and George Idoko all in the top five Canada West in sacks. The defensive pressure will be fierce and UBC quarterback Garrett Rooker will be pressed for time in the pocket against one of the best defensive lines in the conference.
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5 Things:
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The game marks the return of Mason Nyhus to Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park, this time as the quarterback coach for the UBC Thunderbirds. The 2022 Hec Creigton finalist, Nyhus is one of the greatest quarterbacks in Huskie history. He joined the UBC coaching staff after his career with the Huskies.
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The 2022 Hardy Cup against UBC was decided in the last half of the game, when Jordin Rusnack caught a pass from Mason Nyhus to end the third quarter. Finn Marcotte-Cribb would seal the deal with a pick six to give the Huskies the win.
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UBC quarterback Garrett Rooker currently sits second in the country in passing yards per games, with 325.8.
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Nationally, third year receiver Rhett Vavra is tied for second place in touchdowns, with four so far this season.
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As a team, Saskatchewan is tied for third in the U SPORTS stats with seven interceptions from the defence, including two defensive touchdowns, thanks to defensive backs Finn Marcotte-Cribb and Nixen Voll.
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Scouting the Thunderbirds
Canada West Offensive Player of the Week Garrett Rooker will continue to be one to watch for the Thunderbirds. The third year QB from League City, Texas threw for 363 yards, three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in UBC's 54-37 win over the Alberta Golden Bears on September 22.
Rooker is the highest performing quarterback in Canada West, with an average of 325.8 passing yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season. His favourite target is receiver Sam Davenport, who leads Canada West with an average of 87.3 receiving yards per game. Fans should keep an eye on this duo on Friday night as they are expected to be a key component in the Thunderbirds offence.
UBC's offence sits in second place in U SPORTS, averaging 45 points per game. They'll go head to head against a Saskatchewan defence currently ranked sixth in the nation, allowing an average of 17.8 points per game. This matchup is why Friday's game is one of the most anticipated of the year.
Defensive lineman Mitchell Townsend was the star of the show defensively for the Thunderbirds last weekend, picking up nine tackles against Alberta. Linebacker Jaxon Ciraolo-Brown added six tackles and a sack in the contest, with linebacker Ryan Baker adding eight tackles to the team's total. While UBC's defence is solid, it's their offence that will prove to be the biggest hurdle to a Huskie win on Friday.
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Head-to-head:
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All-time vs. UBC: Saskatchewan has the all-time lead 118-62
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Last 10 meetings: The edge goes to Saskatchewan, who has won six in the last ten matchups
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Huskies 2022 regular season record vs. UBC: 1-1
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Last meeting: 23-8 Huskies win on November 12, 2022, in the Hardy Cup Final at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park
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Next regular season meeting: This is the only time these two teams will meet in the Canada West regular season
