It took a wild second half comeback for the University of Manitoba Bisons to upset the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and eliminate them from the Canada West playoffs.

With a big 37–18 lead in the third quarter, it looked as if the Huskies would be off to the Hardy Cup, but a furious Bison comeback saw the visitors put up 22 points in just under six minutes. Another late touchdown to go along with some late Huskies miscues and it was the Bisons walking away with the unlikely 47–39 win.

Earlier in the game, it appeared it would be Manitoba running away with it as quarterback Jordan Yantz threw two touchdowns passes on the first two drives to give the Bisons an early 14–0 advantage. The Huskie offence would eventually find some traction in the first quarter as Kyle Siemens was able to cap off a long drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Then following a safety, Kit Hillis would score on a 29-yard pass from Drew Burko to give the Huskie the lead at 16–14 after the first quarter.

The Dogs would blow it open in the second as they outscored Manitoba 14–4 thanks to a pair of Tyler Chow touchdown runs. Chow is a rookie running back and will be a key piece of the Huskie offensive puzzle for years to come. He finished the day with 178 yards on 26 carries to go along with his two touchdowns.

Coming out of halftime with a huge 30–18 lead, an 18-yard touchdown pass from Burko to Chow would appear to be the dagger, but the Bison defence stepped up with two huge plays down the stretch.

With nine minutes left in the third, Jayden McCoy would intercept Burko and take it all the way to the house for a pick-six to cut into the lead. Then the Huskies fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, which led to a Bison field goal. Following a Huskie two-and-out the punt by Denton Kolodzinski was blocked and returned for a major to make the score now just 37–35. Following a few punt singles and safeties the green and white found themselves down 40–39.

Burko would march them all the way down field to the eight-yard line where he would throw his second crucial interception of the game to McCoy. The Bisons would score another touchdown following the turnover for the 47–39 lead. Refusing to quit, the Huskies moved the ball quickly down the field needing a miraculous touchdown and two-point conversion to tie. The team’s prayers were not answered as Burko’s heave to the end zone intended for Mitch Hillis was knocked away.

It is the fifth-straight loss in the Canada West semifinals for the Huskies but it was the first time they had hosted a playoff game since 2010.

On Nov.13, two Huskies were honoured with awards. Head coach Brian Towriss was named CanWest coach of the year while safety Mark Ingram was named CanWest defensive player of the year.

Ingram’s totals of 48.5 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, four pass knockdowns and six interceptions was the most impressive on a talented U of S defence that was second best in the Canada West. His interception total was the highest in the country and he ranked 15th in tackles in the CIS. For Towriss, it is the ninth time he has received the honour in his illustrious 31-year career.

Following their epic win over Saskatchewan, the Bisons went into Calgary and took down the Dinos who were looking for their seventh straight Hardy Cup title. With the 27–18 win, the Bisons now face the Université de Montréal Carabins in the CIS semifinals.