Dogs running back Dexter Janke could only watch from the sidelines last season after suffering the third knee injury of his career.

Janke has spent three years with the Huskies football squad, but because he red-shirted his first year and was injured last season he has only used up one of his five years of eligibility. The running back had last season abruptly cut short when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in a pre-season game last fall. It wasn’t the first time Janke has suffered a setback like this.

When Janke was playing football at Austin O’Brien High School in his hometown of Edmonton, he suffered the same left-knee ACL tear in grades 11 and 12. Because it had already happened twice, when the doctor told Janke he tore his ACL for a third time after last year’s game, he could hardly believe it.

“At first, I was really crushed,” Janke said of his most recent injury. But “I realized that it’s not the end of the world. I’ve come back before.”

Janke believes that knowing what to expect during rehab is making the recovery process easier this time around.

Now six months post-operation, Janke is excited about returning to the field.

“I can’t wait,” Janke said of his return to action, which will be during the team’s spring camp.

The five-foot-ten running back says what he misses most about being away from the game is the competition. It’s that factor that makes him enjoy playing basketball and other sports in his free time.

I like doing “anything competition-oriented,” he said.

This competitive spirit has undoubtedly helped Janke become a great athlete and overcome the injuries that have plagued him throughout his career.

The road back from injury is never an easy one, but Janke is hoping that the “third time is the charm,” and that this will be the last time he will have to face the struggle of physical rehab.

Janke grew up around football and said his dad was his inspiration for getting into the sport.

“My dad played, and watching him made me want to play,” Janke said.

He studies sociology but is hoping he won’t have to use his degree anytime soon. The tailback has aspirations to continue playing football after university. Hoping to be drafted into the Canadian Football League, Janke says if it doesn’t happen for him in the CFL he would even travel to Europe to play.

Janke chose to move to Saskatoon for university because of the football program. For him the decision to play for the Huskies was an easy one, saying he feels continued support from the community, the team and head coach Brian Towriss about his potential in football.

Janke has a team-oriented attitude and sees the team more as a brotherhood than a just a random group of elite athletes.

“Everyone wants to see everyone [else] succeed,” he said.

Janke also feels close to coach Towriss and gives lofty praise to the Dogs long-time leader.

“There isn’t a better coach” than Towriss, Janke said.

Despite last season’s injury it seems that there is nowhere else Janke would rather be. He is excited to get back on the field to do what he does best — running the ball against other teams.