SASKATOON, Sask. - In another classic showdown between Saskatchewan's intraprovincial rivals, the U SPORTS No. 7-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 unanswered points and shutting out the No. 5 Regina Rams in the final frame to secure a 22–20 victory Friday night (Sept. 19) at Griffiths Stadium.

As in previous matchups, the Huskies' air attack proved critical in their win. Quarterback Anton Amundrud completed 24 of 33 passes for 330 yards and one touchdown while receiver Daniel Wiebe was the standout performer, tallying a game-high eight receptions for 155 yards, including a pivotal 55-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter to give Saskatchewan the lead.

With the win, the Huskies improve to 3–1 in Canada West play, avenging their 19–14 loss to the Rams in last season's Hardy Cup. For Regina, the loss is their first of the season, dropping their record to 3–1 after victories over Calgary, Alberta, and UBC.


For Regina, the loss marks their first of the season and drops the Rams' record to 3-1 after opening their schedule with consecutive victories over Calgary, Alberta and UBC. 

In the opening possession of the game, Saskatchewan's offence looked to set the tone and came out firing on all cylinders through the air. Amundrud led the Huskies on an impressive 7-play, 81-yard drive, completing all four of his pass attempts including a 41-yard deep strike to Tyrus Flory, setting up the Dogs deep in Regina territory. The drive was eventually capped off by Ryker Frank as the Huskies' fifth-year running back plowed his way into the endzone for the game's first major and giving the Huskies an early 7-0 advantage. Despite the touchdown, the Huskies star running back was kept largely in check on the evening, finishing with the night with 45 yards on 16 attempts.

The score marked Frank's 30th career touchdown, drawing even with former Huskie running backs Terry Eisler and Colton Klassen for the program's record.

Later in the quarter, Regina's offence responded, but instead elected to do most of their damage on the ground. Led by fourth-year running back Marshall Erichsen, the Rams offence rushed for 32 yards on an 8-play, 55-yard drive that was capped off by Renzel Arinaza, who hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Noah Pelletier to tie the game 7-7. 

With 90 seconds remaining in the first, a Huskies muffed punt set up the visitors just outside the Saskatchewan redzone, but some solid defensive play by the Saskatchewan secondary thwarted the drive, forcing Regina to settle for a field goal and take the lead 10-7 as the game tuned to the second quarter. 

After the Huskies tied the game 10-10 on a safety and a missed field goal, the Rams offence took the field with under three minutes remaining, looking to take the lead going into halftime. The Regina offence would do exactly that as Pelletier led the Rams on a methodical 10-play, 95 yard drive, culminating in Pelletier throwing his second TD pass of the game after finding Nicholas Sirleaf in the back corner of the endzone to give the Rams a 17-10 lead. 

Coming out of the break, both sides dialed up the defence as the Rams could only muster up a field goal and the Huskies earned two points after forcing Regina to concede a safety. As the third quarter concluded, the Huskies trailed the Rams 20-12. 

As the game entered the final frame, the Huskies continued to elevate their defensive play as linebacker Jacob Goldstone earned his second interception of the season, picking off Pelletier and setting up the Huskie offence on Regina's 27-yard line. However, the Rams' defence responded with strong defensive play of their own, stalling the drive and forcing Saskatchewan to settle for three, cutting the lead to 20-15. 

After forcing the Rams to punt on the following possession, Amundrud and company took the field midway through the fourth looking to make a splash. With the ball on the Huskies' own 50 yard line, Daniel Wiebe broke free down field and Amundrud made no mistake connecting with his top target as the Canada West leading receiver hauled in a 60-yard TD strike. Saskatchewan elected for a two-point conversion attempt, but were unsuccessful and took a 21-20 lead with just over three minutes remaining. 

The ensuing kickoff resulted in what was perhaps the most critical play of the game as the Huskies' kick team recovered a forced fumble to all but seal the deal for the Dogs. The Huskies would go on to add another point off a missed field goal and the defence held firm in Regina's final possession, eventually cementing the victory with a final score of 22-20. 

With the first month of Canada West play in the books, Saskatchewan will set their sights on the Calgary Dinos (2-2) as the Huskies travel to Calgary for their week five matchup. Kickoff is set for Saturday September 27 at 1:00 PM CST.