Saskatchewan Huskies football battle in playoff race

With just three games remaining in the Canada West football schedule, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies have their eyes on a playoff spot.

A date with the No. 2 ranked University of Calgary Dinos Friday will kickoff the final lag toward the postseason.

Five teams are all still in the hunt for one of four playoff spots only Calgary with a perfect 5-0 recor is guaranteed a place in the postseason. The Huskies and UBC Thunderbirds each have 3-2 records, while the Manitoba Bisons and the Regina Rams sit with 2-3 records. Winning all three remaining games in their schedule would go a long way in securing a home playoff date for the Huskies and possibly first place in the conference.

Since 2000, the Huskies are 11-7 against Calgary. The Dinos took the first meeting this year with a 38-24 win in Calgary on September 24.

Although quarterback Trent Peterson started in the 36-33 win over UBC Thunderbirds on September 30, it was Jahlani Gilbert-Knorren that sparked the offence in the second half. The second-year pivot completed 15-of-24 passes for 187 yards and found the end zone twice on four-yard and 15-yard dashes. Running back Ben Coakwell, who returned to the lineup after a two-week absence, also made a difference in the Huskies offence tallying 205 yards on 20 carries, scoring two touchdowns. Receivers Jeff Moore and Rory Kohlert combined for 150 yards in the win.

Defensively, the Huskies remain solid with five players with five or more tackles in the win over UBC. Fifth-year linebacker Tony Michalchuk leads the Huskies and sits second in the conference with 35.5 tackles. As a team the Huskies lead the conference with nine interceptions with safety Bryce McCall three away from tying the CIS record at 21.

The Dinos used the run game to maul the Alberta Golden Bears 61-7 in their last game. Matt Walter rushed for 178 yards to become the Dinos all-time leading rusher with 3,788 yards. He also scored three touchdowns in the game. Fellow running back Steven Lumbala has also tallied rushing yards averaging 123.2 yards per game and scoring six touchdowns on the season. Eric Dzwilewski had his best game of the season against Alberta, throwing for 295 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-25 passing in just under three quarters of action. Taylor Nill was Calgary’s leading receiver with five catches for 129 yards.

Defensively Sam Hurl leads the Dinos with 31.5 tackles and Mike Edem follows behind with 23. Michael Lau has nabbed three interceptions for the Dinos and Linden Gaydosh has four sacks for a loss of 28 yards.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium in PotashCorp Park. Tickets can be purchased by calling 306-966-1111 or online at huskies.usask.ca. The game can also be heard live on CK750 or [url]www.ck750.com.

Game Notes: Friday is Concorde Group of Companies annual Blackout Game, as well as fifth-year night. The Huskies will honour fifth-year players Ben Coakwell, Nico Higgs, Darren Hinds, Rory Kohlert, Tom Lynch and Tony Michalchuk. Higgs, Hinds and Michalchuk are considered true fifth-year athletes using all five yars of CIS eligibility with the Huskies. The Huskies will also honour head coach Brian Towriss for becoming the all-time winningest CIS football coach with a 36-33 win on September 30.
About Huskie Athletics:

In 2011-12, Huskie Athletics will celebrate 100 years of Huskie Pride with Centennial celebrations! Huskie Athletics has 95 Canada West Championships and 25 CIS Championships under its belt. Huskie athletes leave the campus and the University of Saskatchewan with the skills to become successful at work, with family and in the community. Home to 893 all-stars since 1920, Huskie Athletics strives each year to provide quality programs for athletes while they prepare for the future. Huskie tickets can be purchased by calling, 306-966-1111 or online at huskies.usask.ca.