The fifth-ranked 2-0 University of Saskatchewan Huskies sputtered in the second half in Manitoba on Saturday, allowing the 0-2 Bisons to erase a 17-point deficit in a 21-20 win.
The Huskies used the running ability of quarterback Anton Amundrun in their opening drive to set up a field goal to open the scoring. Amundrud set the tone for the drive running for 39 yards to set the offence up in Manitoba territory.
After connecting on the field goal, the Huskie defence went to work.
Saskatchewan Roughriders Draft pick Seth Hundeby laid a big hit on Bison running back Breydon Stubbs, knocking the ball free before Waterloo Warriors transfer defensive back Anesu Latmore was able to recover, setting the Dogs up at the Manitoba 35-yard line.
Six plays later, veteran running back Ryker Frank would walk into the endzone from 14 yards out for his first rushing score of the season and a 10-0 Huskie lead.
After the Frank score, the two defensive units began to find their footing, exchanging forced punts as Saskatchewan and Manitoba shifted into the field position game. Luckily for the Dogs, kicker Lukas Scott was in peak form, recording three punts of 50+ yards and pinning the Bisons inside their 20-yard line on a trio of kicks.
Before the half was out, receiver Daniel Wiebe, whom the Riders also drafted, cut through the Manitoba defence on back-to-back plays to set up the Dogs in plus territory. A few plays later, Amundrud found pass catcher Dawson Lennea in the middle of the field and behind a pair of Bison defenders to give the Huskies a 17-0 lead headed into the half.
Returning from the locker room, Manitoba's offence found life. Bison quarterback Jackson Tachinski led an 11-play, 83-yard drive to get the Bisons on the board with a major to Mula Yitna.
On the Bisons' next drive, Tachinski connected on a pair of deep balls of 48 and 31 yards, with the second finding the endzone, to cut the Huskie lead to just three.
With the Huskies' sputtering offence, Manitoba forced another punt and moved the ball deep into Huskie territory, looking to extend the lead. However, Saskatchewan DL Charlie Parks came free and disrupted a Tachinski pass attempt, which fell into the waiting arms of Ethan Laing for the Dogs' second turnover of the game.
The Saskatchewan offence continued to struggle to find traction against the Bisons' defence. The Huskie defenders, however, continued to pressure the home team. Early in the fourth quarter, Parks returned to the Bison backfield, once again causing havoc to Tachinski's release. This time, the quarterback's pass attempt found former Saskatoon Hilltop Riece Kack, who made a spectacular effort to secure his first career interception.
Following the turnover, the Huskies put together an impressive drive, setting up a 40-yard field goal by Lukas Scott to cut the deficit to one.
Following a Manitoba two-and-out, Amundrud and the Huskie offence returned to the field with 1:05 remaining.
Amundrud connected with receivers on four straight passes, including two to Wiebe, to set the Dogs up in field goal range with 17 seconds remaining. However, Scott's 43-yard attempt would go wide, with the Bisons returning the ball out of the endzone and avoiding the rouge to secure their first win of the season.
Next Friday, September 19, the Huskies will return to Griffiths Stadium for a 2024 Hardy Cup rematch against the undefeated and conference-leading Regina Rams. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
