The University of Saskatchewan Huskies needed to use everything in their arsenal to fend off the University of Manitoba Bisons.

The Huskies picked up their second win of the season, edging the University of Manitoba Bisons 36-34 in a back-and-forth contest on Sept. 7 in Winnipeg, Man.

The battle began when Manitoba offensive lineman, Matt Hallock, caught a one-yard pass in the first quarter for the game’s opening touchdown. After falling behind 0-7, the Huskies went on a 17-point run in the second quarter.

Running back Shane Buchanan started the Huskies offence with a 46-yard run into the end zone. Denton Kolodzinski kicked a 32-yard field goal and Garrett Burgess followed up with another touchdown after catching a 23-yard toss from quarterback Drew Burko.

The Bison offence finally hit back when Anthony Coombs ran 54-yards into the endzone for their second touchdown of the game. A single point, set up by a kick by fullback Bryan Giesbrecht, cut down the lead to 17-15 for the Dogs at the half.

The Huskies came out strong in the second half, putting another 10 points on the board in the opening six minutes. Kolodzinski kicked a 44-yard field goal and Mitch Stevens brought a 68-yard reception into the end zone.

The Bison’s scored next as Coombs landed a touchdown after a 16-yard run, keeping things close at 27-22 for the visiting Huskies.

Kolodzinski continued his impressive performance for the night by completing a 37-yard field goal that pushed the Huskies lead ahead 30-22. The Bison’s responded with a field goal of their own and a safety in the opening minutes of the final quarter.

Kolodzinski put yet another kick through the uprights to edge the Huskies ahead of the Bisons 33-27. The Bisons responded quickly, striking back with a four play, 75-yard touchdown drive which ended when Nic Demski nabbed a two-yard toss from quarterback Jordan Yantz.

The Huskies were down 33-34.

From there it was a fight to the wire. The Huskies took the ball all the way down to the Bison goal line on their next position, but couldn’t convert on any of their chances. Burko tried to sneak into the endzone but was stopped by the Bison defence and the Huskies turned the ball over on downs. The Bisons took over at their own one-yard line but the strong Dog defense stopped them from going anywhere.

With under a minute left on the clock, the Huskies regained possession at Manitoba’s 30-yard line off the punt. Kolodzinski came through for the Huskies once again with a successful 40-yard field goal. With only 18 seconds left on the clock, the Huskies led 36-34.

In the final 18 seonds, the Bisons tried to make their way down the field as quickly as they could. Two completed passes left the home team at the Saskatchewan 35-yard line, but they would get no further as the clock ran out and the Huskies had earned their second victory of the season.

Kolodzinski was awarded Canada West special teams player of the week after coming up big for the Huskies. Kolodzinski made all five of the field goals he attempted and put the game winning points on the board. Quarterback Drew Burko also had a good night on the field, completing 22 passes out of 37 for 339 total yards and two touchdowns. Running back Shane Buchanan continued his impressive start to the year, recording his second consecutive 100-yard night off of 16 carries.

The Huskies take on the Calgary Dinos on Sept. 14 in Alberta.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic