In his first career start, second-year quarterback Jake Farrell led the U SPORTS No. 5-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies to a 31-24 win over the Alberta Golden Bears Saturday night, capping off the inaugural Football Day in Saskatoon.
Farrell threw for 276 yards and three majors in place of starter Anton Amundrud, including a 28-yard strike to rookie receiver Mason Grabowski with just over a minute to play, to help the Huskies maintain their lead over the conference. With the win, the Dogs improve to 5-1 heading into the bye week, while the Golden Bears fall to 1-5.
The visiting Golden Bears quickly displayed their aggressiveness Saturday night, refusing to settle for a field goal attempt on their opening drive and instead gambling on third down from the Huskies' 35-yard line. Saskatchewan took the early opportunity to establish momentum. Charlie Parks delivered, sacking Alberta pivot Trey Reider, born in Saskatoon, for an eight-yard loss on the play and earning the turnover on downs.
Despite the momentum shift, the Huskies' offence was unable to capitalize. On the ensuing possession, the Golden Bears' defence forced a two-and-out before the third-down snap sailed over the head of Lukas Scott, who kicked the ball through the endzone, surrendering a safety for the contest's first points.
As Alberta regained possession, Charlie Parks made another big play, forcing and recovering a fumble to set the Huskies up in Alberta territory. However, the Huskies were once again unable to capitalize, as Scott missed on the ensuing field goal attempt.
With under three minutes to play, the Huskie offence was back on the field when Farrell, who graduated from Saskatoon’s Holy Cross high school, connected with Daniel Wiebe on second-and-six. Wiebe would take the ball 55 yards to the endzone, breaking several tackles along the way, to secure the game's first major and his Canada West-leading seventh receiving score of the season.
Wiebe, a draft pick of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, would finish the game with 100 yards on six catches, extending his streak of 100+ yard games to three.
With the Huskie offence back on the field to start the second quarter, Farrell would orchestrate a 12-play, 80-yard drive connecting with four different receivers before finding Dawson Lennea for the Dogs' second major and a 14-2 lead.
Two drives later, the Golden Bears would produce their first turnover of the game after Orin Schellenberg blocked a Scott punt. Five plays later, Alberta found the endzone on third-and-goal from the two to draw within six.
On the ensuing Saskatchewan drive, a Farrell pass attempt was intercepted by Tanner McBride, allowing the Bears to add to their tally. However, a stout Huskie defence would hold strong, forcing a quick two-and-out to preserve their six-point lead heading into the half.
After the Alberta defence forced the Huskies to punt to open the second half, the Golden Bears' offence promptly marched down the field. The drive was capped off with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Carter Kettyle, and the team took a slim 15-14 lead.
With the Huskie offence back on the field, a 72-yard drive ended in a historical moment for the program. From 12 yards out, fifth-year running back Ryker Frank bulldozed his way into the endzone, becoming the program's all-time leading touchdown scorer with his 31st career major. Frank surpassed former Huskie backs Terry Eisler and Colton Klassen for the record, adding to an already historic career.
The celebration was short-lived, however, as the Golden Bears recaptured the lead thanks to their second forced safety of the game and a 62-yard receiving touchdown from Carter Kettyle on their next two offensive possessions.
The Huskies' first drive of the fourth quarter saw them march 58 yards into Alberta territory before the drive stalled, and the home team was forced to settle for a field goal to tie things at 24-24.
After the two teams exchanged punts, the Huskies returned on offence with 2:56 remaining.
The Saskatchewan drive started with a quick completion to Daniel Kubongo before Farrell took off running for a 17-yard gain to set the Huskies up within striking distance at the Alberta 36-yard line. A Javin Boynton rush was followed by the play of the game from Farrell, who found rookie receiver Mason Grabowski for a 28-yard touchdown to put the Dogs ahead.
With 1:11 left on the clock, Saskatchewan put together a suffocating stretch of plays, which saw Reece McCormick sack Reider before the Alberta quarterback threw a game-ending interception to John Stoll in the dying seconds.
Saskatchewan will enjoy a conference-wide bye week before visiting Vancouver to take on the UBC Thunderbirds on October 17.
