Saskatchewan Huskies vs. Alberta Golden Bears
Game Date: Saturday, October 20 (1 p.m.)
Game Location: Edmonton, AB
Live Broadcast: CK 750,www.ck750.com�
BROADCAST INFO
Kickoff is 1 p.m. Saturday. The game will be available live on CK750 or www.ck750.com.
THE HEADLINES
– The magic number is two for the Huskies to secure a playoff spot. A combination of two Huskie wins or a combination of a Huskie win and UBC Thunderbirds loss would secure Saskatchewan a playoff spot for the 12th year in a row.
– The last three weeks the Huskies have not been in the CIS Top 10. It is the first time since 2002, the Saskatchewan Huskies have not been ranked in the CIS Top 10 football rankings for consecutive weeks. In 2010, the Huskies fell out of the Top 10 in the fourth poll (September 21), following two losses, but the Huskies returned to the Top 10 the next week. In 2002, the Huskies opened the season at No. 10 but then were unranked in the rest of the eight polls in that season.
– Saturday’s meeting marks the second of the season between the two teams. The Huskies won 32-0 on August 31 in Saskatoon.
– Since 2002, the Huskies are 14-3 against Alberta in conference action.
CIS RECORD WATCH
Huskie safety Bryce McCall sits one interception away from tying the CIS career record of 21. It would also break the Canada West and Huskies record in the category. The record of 21 is shared by Bob Coffin (Saskatchewan, 1970-74), Peter McNabb (Toronto & Queen’s) and Matt Carapella (Western).
BEARS/HUSKIES SERIES
In the past 10 seasons, the Huskies hold a 16-5 overall (includes playoffs and non-conference) record against the Golden Bears and a 14-3 record in conference action. Alberta’s last win against the Huskies came in an upset 31-30 last minute victory in the 2010 Canada West semifinal in Saskatoon.
UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (3-3)
Saskatchewan enters the weekend match with the Golden Bears looking to solidify a spot in the Canada West postseason.
With just two games remaining, the Huskies magicnumber is two. A combination of two Huskie wins or a combination of a Huskie win and UBC Thunderbirds loss would secure Saskatchewan a playoff spot for the 12th year in a row.
Last week, the Huskies rallied to score 28 points in the fourth quarter for a comeback 44-39 victory over the Manitoba Bisons. With 1:49 remaining in the fourth quarter and the ball on their own 49-yard line, Huskie pivot Chase Bradshaw orchestrated a six-play, 61 yard drive capped off by a nine-yard touchdown run by Shane Buchanan to give Saskatchewan the win.
Saskatchewan was trailing 29-16 entering the final quarter. Bradshaw found Canada West leading receiver Kit Hillis for a 40-yard touchdown to start the bid for the comeback. Bradshaw also scored himself on a one-yard quarterback sneak and connected with Mitch Stevens on a 16-yard touchdown for the four majors in the quarter.
In the victory, Bradshaw completed 38-of-60 pass attempts for 426 yards, matching a Canada West record for most completions in a game and setting a new Huskie program record. He will continue to look for connections with Hillis, who leads the conference in receiving and Garrett Burgess who recorded 135 yards on 12 catches in his return from injury last week.
Safety Bryce McCall has continued to lead the Huskies on defence. The fifth-year is still looking for one interception to tie the CIS career interceptions record. He is joined by Richard Zacharias, Braxton Lawrence, Joel Seutter, Luke Thiel,Mitch Friesen and Corbin Eskelson with 20 or more tackles this season.
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (0-6)
Once again Alberta enters the weekend after a tough loss – this time a 51-1affair to the Calgary Dinos.
The game opened with a 74-yard touchdown toss from Eric Dzwilewski to Elie Bouka of the Dinos on their first offensive play, setting the tone for another long night for the Bears.
The Bears were completely outgunned on offence in the game, churning out 195 yard versus Calgary’s 538 offensive yards. Quarterback Curtis Dell completed eight of 22 passes, while back-up Ryan Schwartz connected on five of 10 throws. Fourth-year receiver Jess Valleau caught six passes for 70 yards to lead the Bears in receiving yards. Sophomore running back Tyler Lewis gained 52 yards on 13 carries.
Alberta’s offence was playing behind an injury-depleted, and already youthful offensive line, and the team received no further luck when a number of starters, including DB Randon Ralph, DL Steven Giang, LB Duncan Morris, Valleau and others, had to miss time while on the sidelines with various ailments. The Bears entered the game without the services of normal starters Tyler Greenslade (LB), receiver Dillon Prince as well as offensive linemen Reid Bowman and Trevor Fiell.
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