SASKATOON, Sask. — This Friday (Oct. 30) marks the end of the Canada West regular season with the No. 4-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies set to take on the No. 8-ranked UBC Thundebirds in Vancouver. On the line is far more than another victory in the win column, as the No. 1-seed in Canada West and home field advantage throughout the conference playoffs will be decided.
The Huskies need a win, or loss by ten or fewer points, to secure the top seed thanks to a Week 5 win over the Thunderbirds at home. Saskatchewan is looking to ensure their final game at Griffiths goes beyond next Saturday's semi-final for the second consecutive season and head into the playoff on a seven-game win streak.
Kickoff between the Dogs and T-Birds is set for 7:00 PM CST, or 6:00 PM local time at Thunderbird Stadium. Fans can tune in live on SaskTel MaxTV or CanadaWest.tv, with the option to listen to a home broadcast provided by HuskieFAN.
The last time the two programs met the game featured a back-and-forth affair with several momentum swings, costly turnovers, and strong performances from the stars on either side of the field. It was a late first-half score after a UBC turnover, a pair of late fourth-quarter touchdowns, and a game-sealing interception which allowed the Dogs to secure the win.
Anton Amundrud threw for 307 yards, 105 of which belonged
Keaton Belsher, while
Aulain Penner ran for 75 and a pair of scores for Saskatchewan. For the visitors, Drew Viotto threw two touchdowns and two picks while Marvyn Larozar ran for 138 and a score.
Throughout the season, Saskatchewan and UBC have continued to maintain their positions as the top offensive units in the conference. The Huskies rank first in yards (474.4) and points (37.6) per game and are led by one of the most potent passing attacks in the nation (359.7 per game), while the T-Birds rank second (426.3) and third (26.4) in the same categories and boast a balanced offence which ranks second in rushing (177.7) and third in passing (248.6).
The two programs also feature similar defensive units, each who have been prone to give up yards (336.7 and 346.1), but hold opponents off the scoreboard (19.6 and 24.3) when it matters most. While neither are among the conference leaders in takeaways, both teams have consistently come up with timely turnovers (12 to 11 total) and boast strong front's ranking second (SSK) and third (UBC) in sacks.
The regular season finale Friday is sure to deliver, with the two teams having combined for 58 or more points in five of the past seven head-to-head contests. Regardless of who comes out on top, both teams can rest easy on Saturday knowing one of Manitoba, Regina, or Calgary will be visiting for a semi-final contest next Saturday.
GAME NOTES
THE PATH TO No. 1: When the Huskies and T-Birds take the field at Thunderbird Stadium, the No. 1-seed and playoff ome field advamtage will be on the line. For Saskatchewan the easiest path is to win, while a loss by ten or fewer would also get the job done. Meanwhile UBC needs to win by 11 or more to jump the Dogs for the conference lead.
WEATHERED THE STORM: Saskatchewan heads West following their closest win of the season, a 21-19 defeat of Alberta at home. The Dogs battled the Golden Bears and the weather at Griffiths, fighting through rain, wind, and snow in a comeback victory which featured a 41-yard walk-off game-winning field goal from
James Keane.
BACK IN THE PRAIRIES: For UBC, the T-Birds head right back to the Prairies after earning a 21-17 win in Regina last week against the Rams. In another contest featuring adverse weather conditions, UBC earned another comeback win against the Rams, outscoring the home team 15-3 in the second half. the T-Birds forced two second-half turnovers and held the Rams to just 79 yards to lead Mosaic with the win.
TOP 10 REMATCH: For the second time this season a UBC-Saskatchewan matchup will feature a pair of top-10 ranked teams. The Huskies dropped one spot to No. 4 while the T-Birds moved up one to No. 8 in the latest edition of the U SPORTS Top 10.
WHO STEPS UP?: The two programs also feature similar defensive units, each who have been prone to give up yards (336.7 and 346.1), but hold opponents off the scoreboard (19.6 and 24.3) when it matters most. While neither are among the conference leaders in takeaways, both teams have consistently come up with timely turnovers (12 to 11 total) and boast strong front's rankign first (SSK) and third (UBC) in sacks.
TIME TO CLEAN THINGS UP: Friday could also come down to who leaves less laundry on the field as both programs rank among the most penalized teams in Canada West.
ALL-STARS EVERYWHERE: Both programs can expect to feature several all-stars once the conference enters award season. The Huskies boast the conference's most productive quarterback (Anton Amundrud), three of the top-five pass catchers in terms of yardage (Keaton Belsher, Rhett Vavra, Dawson Lennea), and several athletes ranking among the top defensive players in TFLs and sacks (Porter Hanson, Kai Kukurudza, Connor Tyson, Nathan Jule). UBC meanwhile features the conference's leading running back (Marvyn Larozar), a top receiver (Trey Montour), and a pair of defenders who frequent opponent backfields (Aaron Parker, Sean Gunnip).
MADE HISTORY: Fifth-year quarterback Anton Amundrud set a new program mark for career passing yards Friday against Alberta, surpassing former Huskie and Vanier Cup Champion Brent Schneider. Amundrud sits atop the record book with 8,411 career passing yards heading into Friday's contest.
57 MAJORS: Amundrud can set another program mark this weekend with a productive outing. The quarterback trails Schneider's career record of 56 passing touchdowns, needing two tie and three to break it.
TIED AT NO. 4: Fifth-year receiver Rhett Vavra also continues to improve his place in the record books. The pass catcher moved into a tie for fourth-place last Friday with his 17th career receiving touchdown.
A BID FOR POY... AND HEC?: Through six games this season, Anton Amundrud has established himself as a clear contender for Canada West Player of the Year. He leads the conference in every passing stat with 325.4 yards per game, 15 touchdowns, a 65.8 completion percentage, and 164.5 passing efficiency. Nationally, he ranks third in yards per game, fourth in touchdowns, and seventh in completion percentage.
AND FOR R.O.Y.: Similarly to his quarterback, freshman receiver Keaton Belsher is putting together a strong case together for Rookie of the Year. The Moose Jaw native ranks third in receptions (42), second in yards (711), first in yards per catch (16.9), and first in receiving touchdowns (5).
The last Huskie receiver to take home Rookie of the Year honours was slot back Scott McHenry in 2005.
