The defending Canada West champions are rolling early in the season. 

The Huskies football team is off to a great 3-0 start, winning big against the UBC Thunderbirds during homecoming on Sept. 9 and eeking out a last-minute victory over the provincial rival Regina Rams on Sept. 17. 

Following an impressive 44-5 win against the Calgary Dinos on Sept. 2, the Huskies returned home to a packed Griffiths Stadium, with over 6,000 fans eagerly awaiting a show during homecoming. As the Huskie players exited the tunnel to Kanye West’s “Power”, the stage was set for a primetime matchup under the lights.  

The offence immediately started off strong. A four play 74-yard opening drive was capped off by a 13-yard rush by second-year running back Ryker Frank for the touchdown. Kicker David Solie’s field goal put the Huskies up 7-0 just two minutes into the game. As the game went on, the Thunderbirds found no answers for Frank, who finished the night rushing for over 120 yards. 

The Thunderbirds responded quickly, with UBC running back Isaiah Knight completing a three play drive with an 18-yard rush for the touchdown. Despite tying up the score at seven apiece, the Friday night lights proved to be too bright for the Thunderbirds as the Huskies would go on to outscore UBC 22-3 for the remainder of the contest.

Unfazed by the Thunderbirds’ touchdown, fifth-year quarterback Mason Nyhus’s expertise was on full display as he led the offence 86 yards down the field. In a vital offensive possession, he was crucial in helping the Huskies regain momentum, The Thunderbirds defence had front row seats to the Nyhus show, who completed 5 passes for 69 yards including a 36-yard delivery down the sideline to receiver Rhett Vavra. 

A fast and well executed drive was perfectly sealed off by a touchdown pass to fourth-year running back Ted Kubongo as the Huskies recaptured the lead 14-7.

Nyhus, the 2019 Huskies offensive player of the year, would finish the night completing 28 out of 38 passes for 362 yards.

Nyhus and Vavra connected again following a Thunderbirds turnover for the third Huskies touchdown of the first half. Along with Vavra, the talent of the receiving corps was on full display as the Huskies had three pass catchers who finished the night with 80 yards receiving or more. 

The Huskies defence was also excellent, not allowing a touchdown for the rest of the game, while holding their opponent to ten points or less for the second straight game. 

Only allowing three points after the first quarter, the defensive unit finished the game holding the Thunderbirds to less than 300 scrimmage yards, while combining for three sacks, four tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. 

Linebacker Lane Novak and defensive back Charlie Ringland led the way for the Huskies combining for 11 tackles on the night. 

A final touchdown run in the fourth quarter by Ethan Watson to put the Huskies up 29-10 sealed the victory on homecoming night and capped off a spectacular performance.

A performance of this magnitude was only surpassed by the unwavering love and support by the Huskies faithful throughout the game. Even on a cold and windy night the uproar throughout Griffiths Stadium after every first down, touchdown and sack was infectious. This energy from the fans continued to be on full display as the annual toga run took place during halftime, with USask first-year students  rounding the football field to cheers from the crowd.

A memorable homecoming night was followed up by another impressive win the following week against their crosstown rivals in the Regina Rams. 

After an offensive clinic in the first two games where the Huskies combined for 73 points, they were engaged in a defensive battle with the Rams. In the end, it was stout defence, helped along by Solie’s three field goals that led the Huskies to a hard-fought victory. 

After conceding a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, the Huskies defence would rally together, holding the Rams to three points for the remainder of the contest. 

The Huskies held an opponent to 10 points or less for the third consecutive game, thanks to four pass breakups, a blocked punt, and an interception by second-year defensive back Tanner Reiber.

The lockdown defence of the Huskies gave the offence an opportunity to steal the game, without even scoring a touchdown.  Down by two with just under 90 seconds on the clock, the Huskies marched down the field to set up Solie for a chance to win the game.

Following an impressive seven play drive, a 32-yard field goal with two seconds on the clock capped off a remarkable night for Solie. He finished with three field goals, accounting for nine of the team’s 11 points.  

The Huskies look to continue their winning ways as they head to Foote Field on Sept. 23, to face off against the Alberta Golden Bears.