Head coach Scott Flory and the Huskies are hitting their stride as the Canada West football calendar inches closer to its halfway point.

For the second week in a row, the Saskatchewan Huskies laid at least 40 points on the board. Week three’s 44-9 victory came against provincial rival, the University of Regina Rams.

Flory pointed to the play of quarterback Mason Nyhus and the offensive and defensive lines as a catalyst for the team’s success. 

“I don’t know many football teams that have been successful since the dawn of football that can’t control the line of scrimmage and don’t have quarterback play,” said Flory. “Those two things are absolute staples and since I’ve had the ability to be in control of this football team, those have been our focus.”

The Huskies offensive line paved the way for 247 rushing yards, with 134 of those coming from running back Adam Machart, the leading rusher in the conference after three weeks. 

Nyhus threw for 177 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions before being pulled from the game after a hard hit that resulted in his head hitting the turf. The Regina-born QB reportedly did not leave the sideline for the remainder of the game which is a positive sign for the team.

Flory still recognizes the promise that Nyhus presents as a first-year starter.

“I haven’t been shy on my feelings for Mason and what he can do. The sky’s the limit. This is only his third start. I think you see the growth, and he’s a fantastic young man,” he told reporters after the game. 

This group is scary on the defensive side of the ball. They have earned 11 sacks over three weeks which leads the conference. 

“Our defence is getting better each and every week,” Flory said after the game. “Collectively as a team, I see growth, which is good. But we’ve got a long way to go, trust me.”

Defensive back Nelson Lokombo had a 98-yard interception returned for a touchdown, his second of the fourth quarter. This is the second time in as many weeks that Lokombo has brought back an interception for a touchdown from at least 90 yards out. In week two against University of British Columbia, he went 95-yards for a score. 

Lokombo now holds the second and third longest interception returns in the history of the Huskies. Additionally, he has broken the Huskies single season interception return yards record with 193.

The Huskies’ next game is in Alberta on Saturday, Sept. 21. The 2-1 Golden Bears are coming off a 29-26 win against Manitoba, the team responsible for Saskatchewan’s only loss this year.

If you’re waiting to catch this team at home, you will have to wait until the week after when the Calgary Dinos visit Saskatoon on Friday, Sept. 27. 

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Tanner Michalenko/ Sports & Health Editor

Photo: Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor