Back-to-back Sask. trips for Dinos

CALGARY – In an eight-game season it goes without saying that every game matters – but somehow, it always seems that football games between the Calgary Dinos and the Saskatchewan Huskies matter just a little bit more.

The No. 2 Dinos (4-1) return to the scene of their epic 2009 39-38 Hardy Cup victory, Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium, Friday night to take on a resurgent group of Huskies (3-2, No. 8) in the Canada West-Shaw TV Game of the week (7 p.m., Shaw TV, AM 770 CHQR, [url]www.qr77.com).

The game begins a tough two-game stretch for the Dinos, who head right back to the Land of the Living Skies next Friday night to face the Regina Rams in a game that could decide first place. Calgary closes the regular season Oct. 30 by hosting Alberta.

The last two games between the Dinos and Huskies at Griffiths were heart-stoppers, bookending the Canada West season in 2009. The Huskies exacted a measure of revenge with their season-opening 34-13 win at McMahon Stadium last month, but the teams have taken very different paths to Friday night’s showdown.

That loss, which snapped a 13-game home win streak for the Dinos, remains as the only blemish on Calgary’s 2010 record. Having clinched a playoff spot by reeling off four consecutive victories, the Dinos have crawled back to No. 2 in the national Top 10 and sit tied with the Regina Rams atop the conference standings heading down the stretch.

The Huskies, meanwhile, came crashing back to earth with a pair of consecutive losses to UBC and Regina after knocking off the Dinos. Saskatchewan has stormed back, however, putting up a combined 97 points in the last two weeks – capped off with a 64-3 whitewashing of the Manitoba Bisons to head into the conference-wide bye week.

If previous meetings between the Dinos and Huskies are any indication, notwithstanding the season-opener played in a torrential downpour, expect an offensive show. In two games last season, the teams combined for more than 2,000 yards – so it could be a big play on defence that decides this one.

The stretch drive begins in earnest Friday night – and don’t be surprised if the Dinos and Huskies meet up once more before all is said and done.

Here’s a look at the two teams:

No. 2 Calgary Dinos (4-1)

Before bye: defeated UBC 33-16

Next week: at Regina

Rested and refreshed after the Thanksgiving bye week, the Dinos head to Saskatoon looking to even the score with the Huskies after a 34-13 home loss to open the season.

That loss was significant for more than just the final score as Calgary lost several players to injury, including reigning Hec Crighton winner Erik Glavic and All-Canadian slotback Anthony Parker. Both dressed for the Dinos’ last game against UBC, although Glavic did not see the field as rookie QB Eric Dzwilewski reeled off his fourth straight win. Glavic is expected to make the trip to Saskatoon and could see some action against the Huskies.

To the surprise of none, Calgary’s strength on offence has been the running game – a hallmark of Blake Nill’s five seasons as head coach of the Dinos. Calgary leads the nation in rushing, averaging better than 257 yards per game along the ground. The three-headed rushing monster of Matt Walter, Anthony Woodson, and Steven Lumbala has been complemented by Dzwilewski, who sits seventh in Canada West rushing with 358 yards.

The passing game saw some improvement with the return of Parker to the lineup against UBC, but Calgary’s air attack is still statistically the worst in the conference, averaging less than 180 yards per game. And yet, the Dinos have done enough to be 4-1.

Defensively, Calgary gave up 550 total yards against UBC and still managed to grab a 17-point victory. Tye Noble and Sam Hurl sit fifth and sixth in tackles in Canada West, and they and their colleagues will need a solid effort to stop a potent Saskatchewan offence.

RECORDS WATCH: The Dinos sit with 199 regular season wins since the program started in 1964. Calgary’s next win will be the milestone No. 200 … after going 1-for-2 against UBC, Dinos kicker Aaron Ifield now has 63 career field goals with three games to play as he chases the Canada West and CIS career records. The conference mark is owned by Jamie Boreham (68), while Western Ontario’s Frank Jagas sits atop the national leaderboard with 70.

No. 8 Saskatchewan Huskies (3-2)

Before bye: defeated Manitoba 64-3

Next week: at UBC

After stumbling to a 1-2 record to start the year, the Huskies have shaken off any rust in the last two games and are once again performing like one of the top teams in the nation. Senior quarterback Laurence Nixon is largely responsible for the turnaround, leading Saskatchewan to the top of the conference leaderboard in both total and pass offence. Nixon is averaging nearly 280 passing yards per game and has thrown just two picks on the year.

Tailback Ben Coakwell has stepped in admirably for the injured Jeff Hassler, sitting second in the conference with 98.2 rushing yards per game. He scored three touchdowns in the first 11 minutes of the Huskies’ last outing against Manitoba and racked up 10 carries for 109 yards against the Dinos Sept. 4.

Third-year receiver Jade Etienne is also a significant weapon for the Huskies, leading Canada West at better than 100 yards per game. His longest catch of the year was an 87-yard TD strike at McMahon Stadium against the Dinos.

Defensively, the Huskies are led by Nico Higgs (three interceptions) and Keenan McDougall (26.5 tackles).

The Huskies head to Vancouver next week for a rematch with the UBC Thunderbirds and close the season with a provincial battle against Regina Oct. 29 in Saskatoon.