Huskies running back Jeremy Andrew dives into the end zone over top of Golden Bears defensive back Randon Ralph.

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies will enter the 2012-13 season with a young but talented squad. If their defence remains as consistent as it has been in the past, and manages to keep the team’s budding offence on the field then the Huskies should be contenders for top spot in Canada West.

Last year the Huskies had a two quarterback system with Jahlani Gilbert-Knorren and Trent Peterson splitting time because neither played consistently throughout the season.

This year, rookie quarterback Drew Burko, who spent last season learning the offensive schemes on the Huskies’ practice roster, will take on the new starting role.

In his first official game with the team on Aug. 31, Burko led the team to a 32-0 defeat of the Alberta Golden Bears.

He looked strong in the win and should only get better as the season progresses.

The athletic Gilbert-Knorren moved over to wide receiver alongside veteran receivers Braeden George and Jeff Moore. Garrett Burgess, who caught 24 passes last year for 235 yards, was also expected to relieve pressure from Burko, but has been sidelined since breaking his collarbone in preseason action against the Guelph Gryphons.

Huskies critics cite the inexperienced offensive line as a weakness. The departure of two-time all-Canadian and current Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Ben Heenan is a major loss for the team, and forces the Dogs to rely heavily on last year’s Canada West rookie of the year Jordan Arkko for leadership on the line. Arkko will be supported by off-season recruits Lane Bryska and Drew Digout, both formerly of the Canadian Junior Football League.

Coming into training camp the Huskies’ running game looked to be the most consistent piece of the offence. Second-year tailback Dexter Janke was set to take over the backfield from 2011 starter Ben Coakwell. Last season Janke compiled more than 300 rushing yards for four touchdowns while sharing touches with Coakwell. Unfortunately, Janke suffered a season-ending knee injury against Guelph.

Shane Buchanan, who looked to be the next in line for the starting position following Janke’s injury, pulled a hamstring against the Gryphons. While Buchanan should return to the Huskies lineup shortly, he will have to compete with Jeremy Andrew for the majority of touches.

Andrew, a second-year tailback from Regina who spent last season recovering from a knee injury, started against Alberta. He played strong and picked up 72 yards on 14 carries in the game.

Despite an impressive showing from the young Huskies offence in the season opener, it was the defence that proved they still anchor Saskatchewan’s football team. The squad did not allow the Golden Bears a single point in the game and did a good job of keeping pressure on Alberta, resulting in two interceptions and three sacks.

Eight defensive starters from last season return to the gridiron for the Dogs in 2012, including the entire defensive line. Led by two-time conference all-star Zach Hart, who recorded 34 tackles last year, the D-line should contend as one of the best in the country. The line is bolstered with David Rybinski, Joel Seutter and Levi Steinhauer. Last season the three combined for 41 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

The Huskies secondary enters the year without last year’s standouts Peter Thiel and Tony Michalchuk, but former Saskatoon Hilltops Braxton Lawrence and Richard Zacharias will fill the void. The long-time teammates bring with them a proven winning record coming off back-to-back championship seasons with the Hilltops in the CJFL.

Huskies safety Bryce McCall looks to enter the record books this season as he suits up for his final year of eligibility. McCall currently sits at 19 career interceptions and only needs three more to own the record of most all-time in the CIS. In 2011 the veteran tallied 35.5 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Coming into the season the Dogs were ranked eighth on the CIS top 10 list, five spots behind their conference rival the Calgary Dinos. The Dinos are defending Canada West Champions and will be once again led by quarterback Eric Dzwilewski, who is entering his third CIS campaign. Dzwilewski gained valuable experience over the summer attending training camp with the Calgary Stampeders.

The Dinos are also pleased to welcome back both of their starting offensive tackles: Kirby Fabien and Carson Rockhill. The two were each selected in the CFL draft but have since been cut from their respective teams and returned to the Dinos to bully defensive lines in the CIS.

Alberta was projected to be last in the Canada West conference, which means the Huskies must prepare for a tougher challenge Sept. 8 when they travel to play against the Manitoba Bisons.

The Bisons boast a 1-0 record after upsetting the UBC Thunderbirds 31-24 in week one.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf