Receiver Kit Hillis was getting plenty of hugs last weekend after racking up 224 receiving yards and three touchdowns against the Thunderbirds.

Coming from behind with two fourth quarter touchdowns to seal the victory, the Huskies’ record improved to 2-1 on the season. The T-Birds, who fell to a dismal 0-3, will have to make some adjustments in the coming weeks if they want any chance at playing in the post-season.

Saskatchewan receiver Kit Hillis had a huge game. He helped kick start the Huskies’ comeback early in the fourth quarter after scoring on a 48-yard pass-and-run play for his third touchdown of the game.

Wide receiver Mitch Stevens followed suit and hauled in a 15-yard touchdown to put the visiting Huskies up 36-31. The touchdown pass to Stevens was Saskatchewan quarterback Drew Burko’s fourth of the contest, and accompanied his 328 passing yards and one interception.

Thunderbirds kicker Thomas Moult scored a 37-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to bring his team within two points.

The Thunderbirds forced Saskatchewan to punt on the ensuing drive, getting the ball back with enough time for one more march downfield. Quarterback Billy Greene connected on a pass to running back Joey Gabrick at the UBC 40-yard line with two and half minutes left on the clock. Gabrick, however, fumbled the ball and Saskatchewan’s defence scooped it up.

The Huskies offence capitalized on the turnover and moved the ball within field goal range, allowing kicker Cole Sampson to boot an 18-yard field goal to finalize the 39-34 Huskies win.

Greene threw for 290 yards in the game, completing 22 of 35 pass attempts for one touchdown and one interception. Greene also scored one rushing TD and totalled 83 yards on 12 carries.

Taylor Souster also scored a rushing touchdown for UBC, which allowed his side to take a 17-14 lead with five minutes remaining in the first half.

Hillis responded by catching an eight-yard touchdown pass, however, and brought the Huskies into half with a 21-20 lead. The five-foot-nine Saskatoon product finished the game with 224 yards receiving and three touchdowns on 14 receptions.

Daniel English caught the ball seven times for 126 yards to top the Thunderbirds in receiving.

After a slow third quarter where each team’s kicker scored, Greene found fifth-year receiver Jordan Grieve to cap a five play, 75-yard drive and take a 31-22 lead that was short lived.

UBC spread out their ground attack with five different players making contributions. Running back Brandon Deschamps made the biggest impact with 122 of the teams 276-yard rushing total. Andrew tallied 66 yards and led the Huskies in the run game for the third-straight match.

On the defensive side, Huskies linebacker Richard Zacharias had an exceptional game leading all players with nine tackles.

Saskatchewan will return home to Griffiths Stadium in week four to host the Regina Rams Friday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf