SEASON OPENER
Huskies take on the Golden Bears
Tristian Koronkiewicz has that sentimental feeling as the University of Saskatchewan Huskies prepare to barge onto the turf at Griffiths Stadium.
The Huskies’ season opener goes Friday at 7 p.m. against the visiting Alberta Golden Bears, and Koronkiewicz — in his fifth and final season of eligibility — is already marking the milestones.
“It’s a little different, knowing this is my last time. It’s the last first game I’ll ever have,” Koronkiewicz said prior to Thursday’s practice.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive lineman collected 24 tackles and four sacks last season. Things didn’t go as well for his Huskies, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000 with a 2-6 record.
Koronkiewicz watched last season’s crop of fifth-year players end on that unfortunate note, and he’d rather not stage a repeat in 2018.
“Me and the rest of the fifth-year guys are always expressing that,” Koronkiewicz said. “We want to prolong our careers as long as we can. We want to make playoffs; we want to make that potential Vanier Cup run. We want to play as long as we can. A lot of guys were a lot more dedicated this off-season, and it shows on the field. I feel like we’ve taken this next step for this program, and for the future of Huskie football. I think we’re in good hands right now.”
Much has been made during camp about the Huskies’ measurable improvements in speed and strength. Putting that work up against a real, live opponent is another matter, and the Huskies will test themselves against the Golden Bears, who went 3-5 last season.
“I am absolutely encouraged,” Huskies’ head coach Scott Flory says of the team’s training camp. “We’ve got some really good, strong, veteran leadership. Guys dedicated themselves this offseason to the strength and conditioning program. We’re bigger, stronger, faster, and I hope we’re a little bit meaner. We’re going to find out on Friday night.”
Regina will host Calgary in Friday ’s other game, and on Saturday, Manitoba will play at British Columbia.
“(Alberta’s) strength is around their offensive line,” Flory said. “They’re building off that from last year, and they’re a very good football team. Everybody in Canada West is. That’s just a fact. Top to bottom, there isn’t much that differentiates any team in this conference. They play hard, they play physical, they’ve got a big, strong offensive line, and they’re going to try and beat people up. We’re ready for the fight.”