After losing a close game 31-28 to the Manitoba Bisons, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team will refocus this week and take the long trip out to Thunderbird Stadium to battle the University of British Columbia Sept. 15.

The T-Birds sent shock waves through the league by losing both of their first two games. The squad entered the season with high expectations and were ranked seventh in the country. However, after losing a close game to the Manitoba Bisons in week one of the regular season, the T-Birds fell out of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport top ten rankings and were replaced by the Bisons.

In week two UBC travelled to Regina where their 13-7 halftime lead was demolished by the Regina Rams in the second half. The Rams scored six unanswered touchdowns in the second half to win the game 49-20. The UBC offense that was renowned last season for their explosive nature gave up four interceptions and one fumble in the second half of that match.

Despite the early season blows UBC took, Huskies head coach Brian Towriss isn’t underestimating the T-Birds. In fact, Towriss is already billing the upcoming game as a key match to win for his team’s success.

“These are the games that are ultimately going to decide who falls into those playoff spots at the end of the year,” Towriss said. “Although it’s early this is a pretty big game for us.”

The last time the two teams met was in the Canada West conference final last season when the Thunderbirds edged out Saskatchewan 27-22 to advance to the Hardy Cup. However, following the completion of playoffs, that UBC victory along with the rest of the T-Birds wins from the 2011 season were revoked by the league after UBC self-disclosed information on a team eligibility violation.

One of the Thunderbirds players was past his five year CIS eligibility limit but continued to play. It was an administrative error that cost the team forfeiture of six regular season wins and one playoff victory, as well as embarrassment among other CIS teams.

Despite the forfeits, UBC quarterback Billy Greene was able to keep his title as the 2011 Hec Crighton award winner for the most outstanding football player in the CIS last season.

The Huskies defence will have to be sharp to keep Greene contained when he rolls out of the pocket. Towriss remembers how well Greene played in last year’s conference final when the quarterback from Surrey, B.C. racked up 342 passing yards for two throwing touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown against the Dogs defence.

“With him in there they are very good on offence. They have lots of their [players on] offence back, good receivers, and it looks like they are running the ball a little bit better this year,” Towriss said.

For Saskatchewan’s offence the key will continue to be a balanced offensive attack that requires both the running and passing games to be strong.

This will mean Dogs quarterback Drew Burko will have to make more touchdown passes. The rookie pivot tallied 290 passing yards against Manitoba but could only find the end zone with his legs.

Meanwhile running back Jeremy Andrew continued to impress as he rushed for 118 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries versus Manitoba’s defence. Andrew is the only experienced tailback the Huskies have right now as both first- and second-string tailbacks remain sidelined with injuries.

Huskies defensive back Seamus Neary isn’t surprised that Andrew is having so much success.

“I played against him in both rugby and football back in high school, so I knew he had some skills. His greatest attribute is how hard he runs and the effort he puts in when he hits holes. That is what we need in our running backs.”

Neary has been recovering from a hamstring injury since training camp and hopes to make his 2012 season debut against the Thunderbirds.

[box type=”info”]If you tune in to Shaw TV on Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. you can watch the Huskies and Thunderbirds tilt. It will be the network’s featured CIS game of the week.[/box]

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Photo: Beibei Lu