Ex-CFL QB is a ‘calm presence’
Embracing the pressure just part of the ‘ebbs and flows’ of game, says ex-CFL pivot
Marcus Crandell no longer subjects his right arm to that old, familiar workload.
These days, the longtime CFL quarterback is more concerned with other people’s throwing arms — more specifically, the arms belonging to the young men who throw footballs for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
“From the get-go, he’s shared his knowledge,” Huskies quarterback Kyle Siemens says of Crandell, who was hired this past offseason as the team’s new offensive co-ordinator.
“He’s brought in some old things and some new things. It’s been awesome to see how he does it.”
The Huskies are 2-2. They put up 40-plus points in each of their first two games against Manitoba and Alberta respectively, but struggled the last two weeks against top-10 teams — losing 31-10 to British Columbia and 51-28 to unbeaten Calgary. In the latter clash, the Huskies trailed 30-28 going into the fourth quarter before grinding to a halt.
It was a learning experience, says Crandell, who carefully seeks those moments as he works with his new unit.
“We let them know this is how the game is,” Crandell said this week.
“It ebbs and flows, highs and lows. There’s opportunities to make plays in football, in basketball, in baseball. There’s always those one, two or three plays that can change the game. We had a few of those last week and against a good team, we have to capitalize.
“We have to make them aware of that and play with more urgency and more accountability. That comes from a coaching standpoint as well — being able to handle the pressure that’s thrown upon us.”
Crandell, who earned a Grey Cup MVP award in 2001, worked as an assistant coach at the CFL level before moving into the insurance business and then — as of this season — Canadian collegiate football.
“I expect us to grow as he adapts to the Canadian college game,” says Huskies head coach Scott Flory. “He’s never been part of it and as he adapts to that, we’re only going to get better and better. I’m absolutely thrilled with everything he’s doing. He’s a calm presence Kyle can relate to.
“He’s been in the fire. Quarterback’s the hardest position in all of sport to play, in my opinion, and we’ve got a guy there who really understands. He’s trying to get him to see things at the next level and advance his maturity.”
The Huskies return to action Friday at Griffiths Stadium (7 p.m.) against the visiting Regina Rams, who are also 2-2.
Regina lost 18-16 to Manitoba this past weekend, which leaves the two Saskatchewan-based teams trailing 4-0 Calgary and 3-1 UBC.
Manitoba (1-3) and Alberta (0-4) are at the bottom.
The Huskies played three of their first four conference games on the road this season, which means three of their final four games are at Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium. That makes Siemens happy.
“It feels like it gets colder here than anywhere else and I’m sure other teams maybe don’t like to come here,” he said.
“We also have some of the best fans; the place gets packed and rowdy and gives us that extra energy. To be able to play three of our last four (regular-season) games here is awesome.”
Quarterback’s the hardest position in all of sport to play, in my opinion, and we’ve got a guy there who really understands.