SASKATOON, Sask. — In front of a sold-out Homecoming crowd of 8,052 at Griffiths Stadium, the Saskatchewan Huskies delivered a statement performance Friday night (Sept. 11), pulling away in the fourth quarter to defeat the Calgary Dinos 44-24 and improve their early-season momentum. With the win the Huskies bounce back from a season-opening road loss last weekend, while the Dinos move also move to 1-1 on the 2026 campaign.
The Huskies wasted little time energizing the Huskie Homecoming faithful. On Saskatchewan's opening possession—and just the third play of the game—running back
Javin Boynton lined up under centre for a third one short yardage situation before rounding the edge of the Huskie offensive line, breaking a pair of tackles, and taking the ball 81 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. The major marked Boynton's first major since scoring in USask's homecoming game a season ago.
Calgary answered later in the opening quarter, using a long drive and a successful two-point conversion to take an 10-7 lead. But Saskatchewan's offence responded immediately. Quarterback
Anton Amundrud led an 86-yard march that ended with a six-yard touchdown pass to
Thomas Jule, putting the Huskies back in front for good just over three minutes into the second frame.
The Huskies extended their advantage before halftime thanks to another methodical drive finished by Boynton. After Saskatchewan marched 82 yards in nine plays, Boynton powered in from one yard out for his second touchdown of the night, giving the Huskies a 20-10 lead at the break.
Saskatchewan's offence continued to click in the third quarter. Amundrud engineered another scoring drive and connected with standout rookie receiver
Keaton Belsher for a 22-yard touchdown. Belsher proved nearly impossible for Calgary's secondary to contain, hauling in seven receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns in his debut performance at Griffiths.
The Dinos refused to go away quietly however. Calgary quarterback David Jordan threw touchdown passes to Pasquale Delmonaco and Matt Sibley across a three-drive stretch, trimming the Saskatchewan lead to just 28-24 heading into the fourth quarter as momentum appeared to shift in the visitors favour. Jordan went on to finish with 365 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Sibley piled up 146 receiving yards as the team's leading pass catcher.
Rather than letting momentum swing, the Huskies delivered the defining sequence of the game early in the fourth. After Calgary advanced deep into Saskatchewan territory and lined up for a field goal attempt, the kick came up empty and sparked a historic return.
Daniel Kubongo fielded the missed attempt and sprinted 123 yards for a touchdown, igniting the crowd and turning a potential one-score game into a two-possession Saskatchewan lead.
The return was not only a critical play at a crucial time for the Huskies, but it was also a record-setting one. The return marked the longest missed field goal return touchdown in program history, surpassing Brennan Fobel's previous record of 120 yards.
The special teams spark opened the floodgates. Minutes later, Amundrud found Belsher again, this time on a 35-yard touchdown strike to put the Huskies ahead 41-24. Saskatchewan's defence then slammed the door shut, recording three sacks in the contest and forcing pressure throughout the final quarter. The Huskies added a late safety to complete the scoring.
Amundrud finished an efficient 22-for-33 for 332 yards and three touchdown passes, while Boynton added 86 rushing yards and two scores on just eight carries. Saskatchewan generated 464 yards of total offence and averaged an impressive 8.6 yards per play in a strong bounce-back performance.
Saskatchewan now shifts their attention to the 0-2 Alberta Golden Bears, who they will travel to Edmonton to take on next Friday (Sept. 18) at Foote Field.
