Huskies extend home win streak, take down Thunderbirds on homecoming night

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team took care of business on homecoming night at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park, defeating the visiting UBC Thunderbirds 29-10.

With the win, the Huskies moved to 2-0 and extended their home winning-streak to 13 games - a streak that extends back to Sept. 21, 2018.

"It was a good game. Start to finish. We always want to start fast and finish strong," said Huskies head coach Scott Flory. "That's a good football team - let's make sure we give them a lot of credit. I don't think there was any doubt in any of our minds that we were going to come out and play. We protect this house pretty well and I'm proud of the guys and the effort that they came out with forsure."

With the return of a true homecoming game for the first-time since 2019, the Huskies played host to their largest crowd in over three years with an announced attendance of 6,032.

"We can't say enough thanks to the support of the community and everybody out there. I mean, it was a packed house here tonight. It was awesome. It was great to be a part of," said Flory.

The fans were treated to an offensive display, as Mason Nyhus continued what has been a tremendous start to his final year with the Huskies. After throwing for 408 yards and five touchdowns in Week 1, Nyhus threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns on Friday night.

Of those 362 yards, a trio of receivers amassed the 80-yard mark - Caleb Morin, Daniel Perry and Rhett Vavra. It was Morin who led the way for the Huskies with a career-high 97 yards receiving on six receptions. Perry and Vavra, who hauled in a 29-yard touchdown, recorded 87 and 80 yards respectively.

Ryker Frank made his first-career U SPORTS start and made the most of it. The Regina product rumbled for 124 yards on 18 carries, including the game's opening touchdown - a 13-yard scamper that capped a four-play, 74-yard drive to begin the contest.

Linebackers Ramsey Derbas and Lane Novak led the way defensively for Saskatchewan, recording seven tackles apiece. Charlie Ringland recorded two pass breakups to go along with six total tackles. As a team, Saskatchewan registered three sacks - one each from John Still, Connor Delahey and Nathan Jule.

"10 points to a good offence - that's really well done by our defence," said Flory.

Garrett Rooker was at the forefront of that Thunderbirds offence, as he threw for 199 yards on 17-26 passing before being pulled in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Knight had a productive night on the ground for UBC, racking up 98 yards on 13 carries, as well as the visitors lone touchdown of the evening.

Knight's major provided a response to the aforementioned Huskies opening drive, knotting the score at 7-7. But after that, the remainder of the first half was all Saskatchewan. Ted Kubongo found paydir against his former team with a two-yard touchdown reception to reestablish the seven-point Huskies lead, then it was Vavra's turn to join the end zone party as his touchdown grab made it a 21-7 ball game. The Huskies closed the half with a 16-point lead - a lead that would later become 19 in the third quarter, as Ethan Watson crossed the plane on a quarterback sneak from the one-yard lead to make it 29-10 - a scoreline that would prove to be the final.

Up next for Saskatchewan is a Week 3 meeting with their provincial rivals. The Huskies will be off to Queen City next weekend, as they take on the Regina Rams at Mosaic Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Saturday night in what will be a part of the new U Prairie Challenge.

Regina and Saskatchewan are the two lone remaining undefeated teams in the Canada West, with both programs entering the matchup with 2-0 records.

"They're a good football team. Provincial rivals and all that kind of stuff. We got to make sure we're ready and I know our guys are going to be ready. I got so much trust in this locker room and that these guys are going to prepare and do what's needed. We've got a great coaching staff to get guys ready. I know we'll be ready to go next week," said Flory.

"We just go to keep the ball rolling," said Kubongo.

Meanwhile, the UBC Thunderbirds will make another trip to the Prairies, as they venture east to Winnipeg for a Friday night meeting with the Manitoba Bisons at IG Field. The Bisons, who opened the season as the number-two ranked team in the Canada West preseason coaches poll, fell to 0-2 on Friday night with a loss to the Alberta Golden Bears.