One twelvemonth aft seeing their 2023 play extremity astatine Edmonton’s Foote Field successful Hardy Cup semifinal action, nan University of Saskatchewan Huskies shot squad is wished to to fto nan aforesaid destiny befall them successful 2024.
The Huskies are backmost successful nan Canada West post-season aft a red-hot backmost half to nan play which has included 4 consecutive victories to gain nan conference’s 3rd seed.
“To maine this is simply a different shot squad than 365 days ago,” said Huskies caput coach Scott Flory. “We’ve sewage to spell retired and execute. We’re not guaranteed thing connected Saturday, but I’m telling you we’re going successful pinch a level of assurance and execution that’s good.”
On Saturday, nan Huskies will lucifer up against nan UBC Thunderbirds connected nan westbound seashore successful a rematch of their Sept. 20 contest, which saw UBC travel retired connected apical 38-24 disconnected a two-touchdown capacity from moving backmost Isaiah Knight.
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That nonaccomplishment marked a debased constituent connected nan play for nan Huskies dropping their grounds to 1-3 astatine nan midway people of their calendar, tying them for past spot successful nan conference.
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Since then, nan ‘Dogs’ person exploded for wins complete nan Alberta Golden Bears, Manitoba Bisons, Regina Rams and, astir precocious nan Calgary Dinos to unafraid a playoff berth.
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Record-setting moving backmost Frank starring USask Huskies shot squad into regular play finale
“If you’re still playing shot astatine this clip you’re doing thing right,” said Huskies backmost Anton Amundrud.
“Obviously, it’s a small different than past year. We started retired basking but past benignant of fizzled retired aft bye week, but I’m really liking this twelvemonth really we went done our bumps and bruises.
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“I deliberation we’ve learned from that successful increasing and we’re a assured group going into playoffs here.”
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Boosting nan Huskies into nan playoffs has been nan return of seasoned receiver Rhett Vavra, who has missed 3 games this twelvemonth owed to knee and toed injuries.
While he’s still waiting to haul successful his first reception, Vavra has made an contiguous effect connected typical teams pinch 192 yards successful return yardage unsocial against nan Dinos, including a cardinal 80-yard missed section extremity return successful nan game’s last minute.
“I’m emotion bully now,” said Vavra. “Not only for me, but for nan coaches knowing that I sewage their backmost and they’ve sewage mine.”
The Huskies and Thunderbirds participate Saturday’s semi-final tilt pinch identical 5-3 records meaning it’s anyone’s crippled for a spot successful nan 2024 Hardy Cup title game.
“They are a really bully shot squad successful Vancouver,” said Flory. “They are well-coached, they are going to beryllium prepared, they’re physical, they tin make plays, they’re explosive. But I afloat judge we’re up for nan situation and we’re excited to spell successful location and play.”
Playoff shot originates for nan Huskies and UBC astatine 2:00 p.m. connected Saturday from Thunderbird Stadium successful Vancouver.
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