WINNIPEG, Man. – In a rematch of the 2023 season-opener, the Manitoba Bisons took some measure of revenge over the Saskatchewan Huskies, defeating the visiting Dogs 35-14 on the opening weekend of the 2024 Canada West football campaign.
After a season-opening win over the Bisons last year, the Huskies were unable to recreate their come-from-victory this time around. A convincing first quarter and strong defensive play from the Bisons led the way to the home team's first win over Saskatchewan since 2019.
The opening quarter saw Manitoba come out firing on both sides of the ball, going for two rushing and one passing touchdown on their first three drives. At the other end of the field, the Dogs' offence stumbled to open the game, punting three times and turning the ball over once.
Down by three scores, the Saskatchewan offence dialed up a downfield shot to open the second quarter. Third-year field general Anton Amundrud found veteran receiver Daniel Wiebe downfield for a 65-yard gain. Wiebe, unsatisfied with the big gain, broke two tackles on his way to the endzone for the Huskies first score of the 2024 season.
Wiebe would finish the day with a career-high 202 receiving yards and 11 catches to go along with the major. The local Saskatoon product ended the day as the game's leading pass-catcher.
After forcing a Manitoba two-and-out on the ensuing drive, the Huskies offence returned to the field looking to cut into the Bison lead again. Wiebe was back at it early in the series, hauling in a 37-yard grab to setup the Huskie inside the Manitoba redzone Two players later Amundrud found Kuntz in the endzone for a 16-yard strike.
Amundrud's second passing touchdown of the game would cut the deficit to eight heading into the locker room.
The second-year starter finished the game with a strong showing going 28-for-40 for 341 yards and three total touchdowns. On the opposite side of the field, the Saskatchewan defence held Tachinski to just 131 yards through the air and 51 on the ground.
A defensive third-quarter then saw both teams trade punts before the Bisons were able to break through the stagnant offensive play with time expiring in the period. With 0s on the clock, Manitoba's Jackson Tachinski found Vaughan Lloyd in the endzone for the first major of the second half.
Trailing 35-14 entering the final frame, the Huskies once again dialed up the passing game with Amundrud finding Kuntz between two defenders for a 20+ yard gain. The celebration was short lived however, as Manitoba linebacker Nic Pereira ran down the fifth-year receiver and punched the ball out forcing a turnover.
A deciding factor in Saturday's game, Manitoba would finish the game winning the turnover battle by a margin of 3-0.
After the Huskie defence answered with a touchback, the Saskatchewan offence returned to the field needing three scores with just over four minutes remaining.
A 10-play, 75-yard drive would ensue, ending in a 2-yard scamper from Amundrud to give the visiting team some hope at another comeback attempt against the Bisons.
Finn Marcotte-Cribb would then send a burst of energy into the Saskatchewan sideline, converting an onside kick attempt to give the Dogs' another shot at the endzone. Driving down to the Manitoba 15, the Huskie drive would stall, ending in a turnover on downs.
Getting the ball back with just over a minute remaining, back-to-back runs and a safety surrendered would officially seal the game as the Huskies regained possession with 23 seconds remaining.
In desperation mode, the Huskie offence and Amundrud were unable to find the big play and would see the game clock hit all zeros in their season-opener.
Ryker Frank led the way on the ground for the green & white, carrying the ball 15 times for 61 yards. For the Bisons, Breydon Stubbs produced a game-high 109 yards on 19 carries, including a pair of touchdown runs.
Defensively, linebacker Lane Novak totaled a game-high 8 tackles followed by defensive partner Seth Hundeby who recorded 5.5 tackles, including the Huskies only tackle-for-a-loss.
NEXT UP
The Huskie will take the trip down to Regina on Friday, September 6 to take on their provincial rivals in the Regina Rams to kick off the 2024 edition of the U-Prairie Challenge. The game is scheduled for a 7pm kick off at Mosaic Stadium.
Fans can catch the action live on CanadaWest.TV or listen live at HuskieFAN.ca.
The U-Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk is a celebration of varsity sport in Saskatchewan. The annual points-based competition between the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan involves 11 different men's and women's events, including soccer, football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and cross country.
Following next Friday's game in Regina, the Huskies will make their home debut on Friday, September 13 for the University of Saskatchewan's annual Homecoming game. Last season, homecoming saw a 40-6 victory for the Huskies in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,000-plus fans. Tickets to homecoming and the complete 2024 season are available online at huskietickets.com.
