HUSKIES PLAY FINALE ASSURED OF PLAYOFFS
Only issue still to be settled is whether team will host semifinal game
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies have some space, some breathing room, enough clearance to stretch out a little.
It’s different than a year ago, when the Huskies entered their final football game of the regular season needing to beat Manitoba by 37 points to make the playoffs. They didn’t, of course, but this time around, no such issue exists. The Huskies clinched a playoff spot this past Saturday, and enter Friday’s game in Regina knowing they’ve got a semifinal berth in their immediate future.
The only question is whether they’ll host that playoff game, or play it on the road.
“Last year we had to rely on some other things to happen,” Huskies’ quarterback Kyle Siemens said this week. “There’s a little less pressure this year, knowing we have that spot locked up. But it doesn’t change the attitude we have going into this one.”
“We’re concerned with us,” said Saskatchewan head coach Scott Flory, “and what we have to do is just win Friday. That’s all
we know. The rest is out of our hands.”
Here’s what you need to know heading into today’s game.
1.
LOOKING AT THE PLAYOFFS
The Calgary Dinos lead the conference with a 7-0 record. They’re followed by confirmed playoff teams in British Columbia (4-3), Saskatchewan (4-3) and Manitoba (3-4). Alberta (2-5) and Regina (1-6) have been eliminated.
The Huskies will clinch second place, and a home-field playoff game, if they beat Regina on Friday and Manitoba beats UBC on Saturday.
Any other scenario will place UBC in second and Saskatchewan in third, which would send the Huskies on the road. UBC holds the tiebreaker because they beat the Huskies 20-10 in the only meeting this season between the teams.
2.
FORFEIT, TIMES THREE
The Rams would be preparing for a playoff spot right now if they hadn’t inadvertently used an ineligible player through much of the season, forcing them to
forfeit three victories.
So instead of entering Saturday’s game with a 4-3 record, they’re 1-6. Three teams — Alberta, UBC and Manitoba — picked up an extra victory each after Canada West announced the forfeits.
After getting stripped of those victories, the Rams beat Alberta 32-17 before losing 58-6 to Calgary this past weekend.
3.
HUSKIES IN A NUTSHELL
The Huskies opened their season with 42-0 and 48-46 victories over Alberta and Manitoba, respectively. They’ve since lost 37-28 to Calgary, beat Regina 33-20, lost 33-13 to Calgary, lost 20-10 to UBC, and beat Manitoba 27-4.
In that victory over Manitoba this past Saturday, the teams were tied 4-4 at halftime. The Huskies dominated the second half, and put up 16 points in the fourth quarter.
4.
PICTON HOBBLING
Rams’ star quarterback Noah Picton has been diagnosed with septic arthritis in his foot, and is uncertain for Friday’s game after
already missing time. Rams’ head coach Steve Bryce told reporters during a Wednesday conference call that it might come down to a “player’s decision.
“It’s fairly serious in nature,” Bryce added. “Even though it’s encapsulated in that synovial joint, if it does spread — if it ruptures and spreads throughout the circulatory system — it has the risk of becoming lethal.”
Earlier this season, Picton became the national all-time leader in passing yards.
5.
LEAGUE LEADERS
Saskatchewan’s Tyler Chow is second in Canada West rushing with 541 ground yards, 30 behind leader Jamel Lyles of Manitoba. Regina’s Kyle Borsa (525 yards) is fourth.
Defensively, Saskatchewan defensive end Tristian Koronkiewicz is tied with Calgary’s Joel Van Pelt for the league sacks lead with six apiece. Huskies defensive backs Josh Hagerty and Nelson Lokombo are tied for the league interception lead with three each; nine other Canada West players have two.