SASKATOON, Sask. – A double record-breaking performance from fifth-year receiver Daniel Wiebe and a 72-yard strip-sack touchdown from Lucas Scheck led the U SPORTS No. 4-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies to a 31-12 win over the Manitoba Bisons Saturday afternoon (Oct. 25) at Griffiths Stadium.

The win not only avenged the Huskies lone loss to the Bisons in week three of the season, but it also saw the program match their best regular season record since 2022 and once again finish atop the conference standings.

Despite not needing the win to secure home field advantage thanks to a UBC win over Regina Friday afternoon, the contest still saw the Dogs play nearly all their starters as the team looked to carry positive momentum into the postseason. The Bisons also played many of their starters, however, would sit starting quarterback Jackson Tachinski, who was replaced by rookie Cole Anseeuw.

After a pair of punts on both team's first possession, the Huskies quickly found their footing offensively. Jake Farrell, making his third consecutive start, would connect on five drop backs while Ryker Frank recorded a 36-yard run to set the Huskies up just outside the redzone. Two plays later, Frank found the endzone from 5-yards out to give the Huskies an early lead.

Back on the field following a Manitoba two-and-out, the Dogs would once again march down the field for a major. This time though it was Daniel Wiebe who recorded the score, with Farrell finding the pass-catcher for his 10th touchdown of the season.

Despite the Huskie offence stalling early in second frame, Saskatchewan continued to dominate the Bisons defensively, holding the visiting team to just three first downs and 33 total yards midway through the frame.

Then with just under three to play until the half, fifth-year defensive back John Stoll forced the first turnover the game when he caused Manitoba running back Noah Anderson to fumble at his own 12-yard line.

Two plays later the Huskies, and Wiebe, were back in the endzone after Farrell found the conference-leading receiver for a 12-yard score.

It was a historic touchdown for Wiebe, with the major marking his 11th of the season and 25th of his career, simultaneously setting program records for single-season and career receiving touchdowns. Both records had be held by former USask student-athlete Mitch Hillis. 

The following Manitoba possession would see the Bisons put together their first threatening drive of the game, but after stalling inside the Saskatchewan 10, the team settled for a Maya Turner field goal before heading into the half down 21-3.
Looking like a different offence early in the second half, the Bisons would send Turner out for another field goal to open the second half.

Back on offence, Cohen Wright would see his first action of the season and convert a third-and-one for the Dogs. Two plays later however the first-year pivot fumbled for the first and only Huskie turnover of the contest. 

Fortunately, the USask defence would come up with a two-and-out to mitigate the damage.

After a Lukas Scott Field goal extended the Huskie lead to 18, Manitoba would march 75-yards down the field in eight plays for their first major. Cole Anseeuw found De Shawn Le Jour from 23 yards out for the score but was unable to connect on the point after in an attempt to make it a 10-point game.

After the Bisons first drive of the final frame showed promise, with the team driving the ball down to the two-yard line, the Huskie defence once again stood tall, stuffing the visiting team on three consecutive plays and forcing a turnover on downs.
With the Huskie offence struggling to move the ball midway through the frame, the Bison offence was back on the field and in Saskatchewan territory once again. On third and 11 with two minutes remaining, Lucas Scheck then made the highlight of the day on defence. 

As a free rusher off the edge, Scheck striped the ball from an unsuspecting Anseeuw before recovering the fumble and making a 72-yard house call to seal the game for the Huskies 31-12.

Saskatchewan will now turn their attention back to the UBC Thunderbirds with the two program's third meeting of the season set to take place next Saturday (Nov. 1) in the Hardy Cup semifinals. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM at Griffiths Stadium, with a chance to host a second consecutive Hardy Cup on the line for the Dogs.