SASKATOON, Sask. - In just over 24 hours the University of Saskatchewan (Usask) Huskie Football team will officially begin their quest for the 88
th Hardy Cup as they take on the University of Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton.
After reaching the 2024 Hardy Cup in dramatic fashion, the Huskies suffered a heartbreaking loss at Griffiths Stadium to their provincial rivals and saw a thrilling season come to a close. Now, 2025 offers the opportunity to return to the conference championship and build off what was an impressive second half to the 2024 season. Ranked No. 1 in the Canada West Coaches Poll and No. 9 in the first edition of the U SPORTS Top 10, the Huskies appear poised to do so in what is the most competitive conference in U SPORTS football. Ahead of the Dogs however lies an eight-game gauntlet leading to the 88th Hardy Cup. This season, the Canada West Champion and lone program left standing will once again earn the opportunity to host a national final and the Mitchell Bowl, with the Yates Cup Champion and winner of the OUA scheduled to visit western Canada. The 2025 season of U SPORTS football will then culminate in the 60th Vanier Cup, set to take place just a couple hours south of Griffiths at Mosaic Stadium on November 22, 2025.
The 2025 edition of the Huskies showcases a unique group of veteran student-athletes thanks to the culmination of the canceled 2020 season and the ensuing double recruiting class. The experience that this leadership group brings to the team is invaluable after being a part of back-to-back runs to the Vanier Cup in 2021 and 2022 and a trio of Hardy Cup appearances. This group, combined with returning student-athletes who have become impact players and another exciting recruiting class will look to build on the second-half success of the 2024 season and make another postseason run the program has become known for.
The 2025 campaign, and Friday's season-opener, will also see the debut of a pair of new coordinators for the Huskies in Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator Mason Nyhus and Defensive Coordinator Cody Halseth. Nyhus returns to the program where he took U SPORTS by storm just a few years ago and will now look to guide quarterback
Anton Amundrud and the Huskie offence to a Hardy Cup as he did under centre. On the other side of the ball Cody Halseth takes over the defence after serving as a defensive backs coach for the previous 14 years and contributing to some of the best passing defences in the nation.
Friday's season-opener is set to kickoff at 6:30 PM at Foote Field in Edmonton. Fans can tune in live at CanadaWest.tv and on SaskTel (channel 49/349), or catch the radio broadcast at HuskieFAN.ca.
See below for a full breakdown of the 2025 Huskie Football team.
2024 SEASON RECAP
Regular Season: 5-3 / 3rd in CW
Postseason: 1-1 / Def. UBC 38-33 in Semifinals / Lost to REG 14-19 in Hardy Cup
CW Team Ranks
Offence: 29.1 ppg (2nd), 443.6 ypg (3rd)
Defence: 29.1 papg (6th), 422.4 yapg (3rd)
2024 Regular Season Leaders
Passing: Anton Amundrud (2,275 yards, 11 TDs)
Rushing: Ryker Frank (929 yards, 10 TDs)
Receiving: Daniel Wiebe (807 yards, 7 TDs)
Tackles: Seth Hundeby (41.0 total)
Sacks: Seth Hundeby (2.0)
2025 RECRUITING CLASS
2025 SCHEDULE
2025 FEATURED PLAYERS
QUARTERBACKS
#11 Anton Amundrud / 6-3 / 201lbs / 4th Year / Lloydminster, Alta.
2024 Stats: 194/282 (68.8%) / 2,275 pass yards / 11 TDs / 9 INTs / 19 ATT / 111 rush yards / 1 Rush TD / 1 Fumble
Returning for his third season as the Huskies' starting quarterback,
Anton Amundrud is coming off the best season of his career after leading the conference in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage in 2024. Amundrud also finished top-10 in the nation in all three passing categories while leading the Dogs to a 5-3 record and Hardy Cup appearance. The former Lloydminster Baron also impressed in the first action of 2025, going 10-of-13 for 110 yards and two majors in the Dogs' preseason game against the UBC Thunderbirds.
RUNNING BACKS
#34 Ryker Frank / 5-10 / 198lbs / 5th Year / Regina, Sask.
2024 Stats: 152 ATT / 929 rush yards / 6.1 AVG / 10 TDs / 19 REC / 79 rec yards
#1 Kayden Miller / 5-11 / 210lbs / 4th Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 18 ATT / 120 rush yards / 6.7 AVG / 1 Fumble / 9 REC / 53 rec yards
#21 Javin Boynton / 5-11 / 222lbs / 2nd Year / Moose Jaw, Sask.
2024 Stats: 5 ATT / 13 rush yards / 2.6 AVG / 2 TDs / 1 REC / -2 rec yards
#25 Aulain Penner / 5-9 / 187lbs / 1st Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: N/A
The 2025 season will see the program's record holder for career rushing touchdowns,
Ryker Frank, return to lead the Huskie backfield in his final season of eligibility. Last season, Frank received the first Canada West All-Star and U SPORTS All-Canadian nods of his career after posting the second-most rushing yards and touchdowns in the nation. The 2025 campaign also offers the product of Regina an opportunity to continue his record-setting play, with Frank just 1,022 yards away from the program rushing title and 1,400 yards from recording the most all-purpose yards in program history.
A trio of talented running backs sit behind Frank on the Huskie depth chart in
Kayden Miller,
Javin Boynton, and
Aulain Penner, with the group making up one of the deepest rooms in U SPORTS. Miller, a fourth-year veteran, has shown he can be a reliable ball carrier behind Frank, recording 120 yards and averaging 6.7 yards per carry in limited action last season. The former St. Joseph Guardian is also an impact player on special teams and in 2024 became one of just 13 players in program history to return a fumble for a touchdown. In Boynton and Penner, the Huskies possess a young and talented future 1-2 punch who will look to continue the history of All-Canadian Saskatchewan running backs.
RECEIVERS
#2 Daniel Wiebe / 5-9 / 190lbs / 5th Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 52 REC / 807 rec yards / 7 TDs / 15.5 AVG
#88 Rhett Vavra / 6-0 / 175lbs / 5th Year / Swift Current, Sask.
2024 Stats: 11 REC / 154 rec yards / 14.0 AVG
#3 Dawson Lennea / 5-11 / 185lbs / 3rd Year / Martensville, Sask.
2024 Stats: 30 REC / 481 rec yards / 1 TD / 16.0 AVG
#85 Ethan Clazie / 5-11 / 180lbs / 2nd Year / Cochrane, Alta.
2024 Stats: N/A
Leading the charge in the USask receiving room is 2025 CFL Draft pick of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (Rd. 8, 69th overall) and 2024 First Team All-Canadian
Daniel Wiebe. Last year, Wiebe was one of the best pass catchers in U SPORTS, finishing the season in tie for the most receiving touchdowns (10) and second most receptions (52), and recorded the second-most receiving yards in the country (807). The former Holy Cross Cursader not only has a knack for finding the endzone but also has the ability to turn any catch into a chunk play when taking advantage of his speed and agility, something he displayed frequently in 2024.
Another veteran receiver and one of quarterback
Anton Amundrud's favourite targets,
Rhett Vavra is also back for his final season in green & white. After missing most of the 2024 regular season due to injury, Vavra will be looking to pick up where he left off in the postseason which saw the Swift Current product record 18 catches and 230 yards in just two games.
Also set to play a significant role in the USask passing game in 2025 is third-year
Dawson Lennea, who returns to the fold following a breakout campaign in 2025. After recording just 21 career yards prior to the 2024 season, Lennea exploded for 481 last year, becoming a consistent target for Amundrud. His season was highlighted by a 7-catch, 162-yard performance against the at-the-time No. 7-ranked Manitoba Bisons, a performance which helped the Huskies hand the Bisons their first and only loss of the regular season.
Finally,
Ethan Clazie rejoins the fold after an injury at the midway point of the season sidelined the rookie pass catcher. Following a fantastic camp, Clazie made an immediate impact in his first action of 2025, scoring the Dogs' first major in last week's preseason contest against the UBC Thunderbirds. He would finish as the game's leading receiver with 53 yards on three catches, setting up a breakout campaign to come in 2025.
OFFENSIVE LINE
#67 Jack Warrack / 6-5 / 290lbs / 4th Year / Strathmore, Alta.
#59 Zach Lepage / 6-1 / 305lbs / 4th year / Saskatoon, Sask.
#72 Lucas Seffern / 6-5 / 290lbs / 3rd year / Lloydminster, Alta.
#78 Derek Beaubien / 6-3 / 290lbs / 5th Year / Assiniboia, Sask.
#58 Braiden DeGroot / 6-5 / 307lbs / 1st Year / Winnipeg, Man.
The Huskie offensive line will feature a new-look following the graduation of 2024 starting centre
John Kourtis and starting right tackle
Jayson Kehler, both of whom started every game last season. Despite the changes at two positions, the Huskies return a pair of season-long starters in left tackle and 2024 Canada West All-Star
Jack Warrack and right guard
Zach Lepage. In the mix to become full-time starters will be a pair of student-athletes who split games at left guard last season in third-year
Lucas Seffern and fifth-year Derek Beaubein. Beaubein saw the most action of the two, starting weeks one through five as well as both playoff games while Seffern took over starting duties for weeks six to eight. Looking to follow in the footsteps of Warrack and round out the 2025 Huskie offenisve line is freshman
Braiden DeGroot, a 6-foot-5 307lb lineman out of Winnipeg who has the potential to be a full-time starter for the Dogs.
The 2025 Saskatchewan offensive line will be looking to replicate an impressive campaign from last season's group. In 2024 the Huskies allowed just 10 sacks while also helping to produce the most productive passing attacks in the conference.
DEFENSIVE LINE
#90 Chaz Walker / 6-5 / 285lbs / 3rd Year / Lloydminster, Sask.
2024 Stats: 6.0 Tackles / 1.0 Sack / 1.5 TFLs
#44 Riece Kack / 6-0 / 230lbs / 4th Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 24.0 Tackles / 4.0 TFLs / 2 BRUP
#99 Charlie Parks / 6-4 / 240lbs / 4th Year / Regina, Sask.
2024 Stats: 3.0 Tackles / 1.0 Sack / 1.5 TFLs
#96 Jaxson Kramchynsky / 6-4 / 260lbs / 2nd Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 11 Tackles / 1 FR / 1 BRUP
#50 Nathan Jule / 6-2 / 245lbs / 4th Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: N/A
#91 Reece McCormick / 6-3 / 270lbs / 3rd Year / Yorkton, Sask.
2024 Stats: N/A
Following an injury riddled season in 2024, the Huskie defensive line boasts plenty of depth for the 2025 season. Returning starters from a season ago
Chaz Walker,
Riece Kack, and
Jaxson Kramchynsky will look to continue playing key roles from a year ago. Walker, who enters his fourth season with the Dogs, appeared in every game last season and will provide a veteran presence in the middle of the Saskatchewan line. Alongside Walker is former Saskatoon Hilltops standout
Riece Kack who enjoyed a fantastic rookie season. The local Saskatoon product led all Saskatchewan defensive lineman with 24.0 tackles while also finding his way into the backfield for four TFLs which tied for a team-high. Meanwhile, Kramchynsky brings valuable experience despite entering his second season. The 6-foot-4 260lb lineman appeared in all eight regular season games a year ago, taking valuable reps as a freshman.
Opposing quarterbacks will be disappointed to see
Charlie Parks' full-time return in 2025 after the veteran missed the majority of the 2024 season. In just four games (including playoffs) last season the 6-foot-4 240lb Regina product recorded six tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and two sacks.
Also returning from injury after missing the entirety of the 2024 season are
Nathan Jule and
Reece McCormick a pair of third- and fourth-year players who have a history of being high-impact players in the trenches.
LINEBACKERS
#4 Seth Hundeby / 6-4 / 245lbs / 5th Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 41.0 Tackles / 2.0 Sacks / 4.0 TFLs / 1 FF / 1 BRUP
#55 Jacob Goldstone / 6-3 / 235lbs / 2nd Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 21.0 Tackles / 1.0 Sack / 1.0 TFLs / 2 BRUP
#45 Jayden Engel / 6-1 / 240lbs / 5th Year / Brandon, Man.
2024 Stats: 23.0 Tackles / 1.0 TFLs / 1 FR
#47 Porter Hanson / 6-0 / 220lbs / 1st Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 0.5 Tackles
#49 Zach Zary / 6-0 / 220lbs / 3rd Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 15.5 Tackles / 2.0 TFLs / 1 FF
Carlos Teklu / 5-11 / 215lbs / 1st Year / Winnipeg, Man.
2024 Starts: N/A
At linebacker, the Dogs are led by another CFL Draft pick in middle linebacker and fourth-round selection (34th overall)
Seth Hundeby. A 6-foot-4 245lb engineering student, Hundeby returns for his final season of eligibility to lead the Huskie defence following a remarkable 2024 season in which he totaled 41.0 tackles (5th in Canada West) while also recording two sacks and tying a team-high four TFLs. The local Saskatoon product has the size and speed to be a game-wrecker for the Dogs and has already shown he can be one of the most consistent players on the rosters.
Next to Hundeby is second year linebacker
Jacob Goldstone. A 6-foot-3 235lb frame, Goldstone took over starting duties as a rookie after just four games a season ago and has not looked back. Appearing in all 10 games and starting six, the former Leboldus Golden Sun recorded 21.0 tackles, one sack, and two pass break-ups to cap his freshman campaign.
Also returning for their fifth- and third-years are linebackers
Jayden Engel and
Zach Zary. Engel, a 6-foot-1 240lb Brandon, Manitoba, product and veteran leader, impressed in 2024 playing in place of the injured
Lane Novak, recording 23.0 tackles, a TFL, and a fumble recovery. A consistent piece to the Huskie linebacking corps, Engel has appeared in 39 games in his career and amassed 69.5 total tackles. Zary meanwhile, returns following his most productive season yet in 2024. A former Evan Hardy Soul, Zary recorded 15.5 tackles, two TFLs, and a forced fumble.
Finally, a pair of first-year student-athletes add exciting depth in
Porter Hanson and
Carlos Teklu.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
#39 John Stoll / 5-10 / 190lbs / 5th Year / Melville, Sask.
2024 Stats: 30.0 Tackles / 1.0 TFLs / 4 BRUP
#22 Ethan Laing / 5-8 / 190lbs / 3rd Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 17.5 Tackles / 2 FF / 1 INT / 1 BRUP / 1 Block
#6 Taz Smith-Windsor / 5-11 / 185lbs / 2nd Year / Waskesiu Lake, Sask.
2024 Stats: 20.5 Tackles / 1 FF / 1 FR / 1 BRUP
#13 Anesu Latmore / 5-11 / 180lbs / 5th Year / Ottawa, Ont.
2024 Stats (Waterloo): 28.5 Tackles / 4.0 Sacks / 4.0 TFLs / 2 FF / 1 BRUP / 1 Block
Huskie defensive backs are highlighted by a pair of veteran, fifth-year student-athletes and a pair of returning players who will be expected to step into larger roles in 2025. Returning for his final season in green & white is
John Stoll, a 5-foot-9 Melville product who in 2024 played at both linebacker and defensive back for the Dogs. One of the Huskies most consistent performers a season ago, Stoll recorded 30 tackles, the most among Saskatchewan defensive backs, while adding a TFL and four pass break-ups. When it comes to veteran athletes, Stoll is joined by
Anesu Latmore, a 5-foot-11 180lb graduate transfer from the University of Waterloo. In 2024 with the Warriors, Latmore finished the season with 28.5 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup, and a blocked kick.
Third-year
Ethan Laing and second-year
Taz Smith-Windsor return to the Huskie defence were they will be expected to take on significant roles in 2025. Laing, who took over as a starter after week 4 a season ago, recorded 17.5 tackles, two forced fumbles, a pass breakup, and is the only returning player who recorded an interception in 2024. For Smith-Windsor, the 2024 season also saw the 5-foot-11 Waskesiu Lake product come in and out of the starting lineup. After starting the first four games of the season, Smith Windsor returned to a back-up position before re-entering the starting lineup for the Hardy Cup.
KICKERS
#26 Lukas Scott / 6-3 / 195lbs / 2nd Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
2024 Stats: 13/18 FG (72%) / 47-Yard LG / 25/25 XP / 52 Punts / 39.9 AVG / 9 Inside 20
In the kicking game,
Lukas Scott returns to the fold after going 13-of-18 on field goal attempts in 2024 for the second-best conversion rate in the conference. Scott's season highlight came early in his Huskie career, with the local Saskatoon product splitting the uprights on a last-minute game-winner in just his fifth start. With a perfect record on extra-point attempts as well, Scott finished with the most points by a kicker in Canada West (64).
