SASKATOON, Sask. — On a rainy, windy Friday night (Oct. 23) at Griffiths Stadium, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies saved their best for last, earning a dramatic 21-19 victory over the Alberta Golden Bears. Nine unanswered fourth-quarter points was capped off by a walk-off field goal from
James Keane, stretching the Huskies win streak to six games and keeping the programs hopes at postseason home field advantage alive.
The evening also featured a record-breaking performance from fifth-year quarterback
Anton Amundrud, who surpassed Canada West Hall of Famer and USask Wall of Fame inductee Brent Schneider as the program's all-time leader in passing yards.
Friday night's contest was far from a conventional Canada West matchup, featuring five safeties, four lead changes, and a constant shift in momentum. However, when the game was on the line, the Huskies found a way to complete the comeback and defeat te Bears for the second time this season.
The opening quarter belonged to the visitors. After Saskatchewan surrendered a fumble deep in their own territory on their very first offensive play, the Golden Bears capitalized in field position and pinned the Huskies in their own end repeatedly to open the contest. Alberta recorded two safeties and added a 30-yard field goal to take a 7-0 lead into the second quarter.
Saskatchewan responded with its best drive of the first half to open the second quarter. Starting from their own 10-yard line, the Huskies marched 100 yards on a 15-play drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown run from
Kayden Miller.
The fifth-year running back finished as the game's leading rusher with a career-high 101 yards to go along with the major.
The remainder of the quarter saw the Huskies tune the game around defensively, forcing a safety two minutes later to take a 9-7 lead before adding a single for a 10-7 advantage at halftime.
The third quarter saw momentum shift back in favour of the visitors. After Saskatchewan opened the frame with another safety to extend their lead, Alberta answered with its lone touchdown drive of the game when Christian Veilleux found Jack Dumont for an eight-yard score. Another Golden Bear safety and late field goal then extended the visitors lead to 19-12 heading into the final frame.
Facing a seven-point deficit, the Huskies continued to chip away. Keane converted on field goals from 32 and 25 yards to pull Saskatchewan to within a single point at 19-18.
After the defence came through for the Huskies once again, Saskatchewan took possession at their own 42-yard line with 30 seconds remaining. The Huskies quickly moved into scoring range behind Amundrud's poised play, who found Penner for a 15-yard gain before the second-year running back took off for an eight-yard gain to set up the game-winning kick attempt.
Keane calmly drilled the 41-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Huskies to a thrilling 21-19 victory,
While Miller paced the Saskatchewan offence with over a 100 on the ground, Amundrud was effective when needed most, connecting on 18 of 33 drop backs for 239 yards.
Keaton Belsher finished the game as the leading receiver with eight catches for 101 yards while linebacker
Kenten Effa led the defence with nine tackles.
Saskatchewan will head to Vancouver next week for a critical Week 8 matchup with the UBC Thunderbirds and look to lock up the No. 1-seed in the conference and home field advantage with a win.
