The University of Saskatchewan Huskies opened the Canada West regular season with a 29-21 win over the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
The game played in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Foote Field in Edmonton didn't have much rhythm, as the teams were flagged for 35 penalties for 308 yards.
Alberta’s new head coach, Stevenson Bone, has his team ready to play. The Bears would jump out to an early 10-0 lead thanks to a 28-yard touchdown pass from Eli Hetlinger to Kolby Herford and a 32-yard field goal by Eric Schwarz.
After surviving some fantastic Alberta special teams, which included a successfully executed onside punt, the Huskies found their offensive legs late in the first quarter. A solid drive was capped by Saskatchewan running back Ryker Frank’s 18-yard touchdown reception in the final minute of the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, the Huskies took their first lead of the game when Saskatchewan Roughriders draft pick Seth Hundeby intercepted Hetlinger and returned it for a touchdown, making it a 14-10 Saskatchewan lead.
Alberta showed some grit on the ensuing drive, moving the ball down the field. Seth Poelzer capped a scoring drive with a 17-yard touchdown run, moving Alberta back in front 17-14.
On the final play of the opening half, the Huskies scored a punt single to enter the locker room trailing 17-15.
After the break, Rhett Vavra caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Anton Amundrud on a third-down play to give Saskatchewan a 22-15 advantage.
On the Golden Bears' next possession, they moved the ball into the red zone but had to settle for an 18-yard Eric Schwarz field goal to make the score 22-18.
In the fourth quarter, the Huskies were content to patiently move the football down the field. Saskatchewan moved the ball 100 yards in seven plays, including a 33-yard run to the end zone by Ryker Frank to cap the scoring. The final score was Saskatchewan over Alberta 29-18.
Individually, Huskies quarterback Anton Amundrud was 20-28 passing for 248 yards and two touchdowns. While Alberta’s Eli Hetlinger was 20-29 for 240 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
On the ground, Ryker Frank carried the ball 15 times for 126 yards and a touchdown for the visitors. Alberta's Seth Poelzer had 17 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Saskatchewan’s Dawson Lennea was their top receiver with five catches for 78 yards. The Golden Bears' Kolby Hurford made five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Alberta will head to Regina on Friday to take on the 1-0 defending Hardy Cup Champion Rams. Saskatchewan will play its home opener next Friday at Griffiths Stadium against the 1-0 UBC Thunderbirds.
