HUSKIES WIN WHEAT BOWL, 44-9 OVER RAMS
REGINA – The No. 9-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies opened the game with a lengthy touchdown drive and went on to a wire-to-wire 44-9 road victory over the Regina Rams on Friday night in a Canada West game at Mosaic Stadium.
The Huskies got on the board on the game’s opening possession with an 11-play, 90-yard drive that took 6:28 off the clock and was extended by a roughing the kicker penalty. It was still a two-score game at halftime as the Huskies led 19-9 at the break, but the visitors scored 25 unanswered second-half points to take complete control of the contest. Saskatchewan put the exclamation mark on the win in the fourth quarter with a 98-yard pick six by Nelson Lokombo, his second interception of the quarter.
Saskatchewan tore it up on the ground, rushing for 244 yards with most of that total thanks to Adam Machart’s 17 carries for 134 yards. Josh Ewanchyna added 47 yards on seven rushes, while Mason Nyhus and Ethan Watson – the Huskies’ two quarterbacks – combined for 58 yards on six scrambles.
Josh Donnelly threw for over 300 yards for the third consecutive week. The Rams’ first-year quarterback completed 16 of 30 passes for 315 yards, including a 76-yard bomb to Riley Boersma in the second quarter. Boersma finished as the game’s leading receiver, catching four passes for a total of 114 yards.
The Huskies improve to 2-1 with the win and will now prepare for an away game at Alberta next Saturday, while the Rams drop to 1-2 with a road game at No. 4-ranked Calgary upcoming next Friday.
QUOTABLE: COACH FLORY
“I don’t know many football teams that have been successful since the dawn of football that can’t control the line of scrimmage and don’t have quarterback play. Those two things are absolute staples and since I’ve had the ability to be in control of this football team, those have been our focus.” – Saskatchewan head coach Scott Flory.
“I don’t know many football teams that have been successful since the dawn of football that can’t control the line of scrimmage and don’t have quarterback play. Those two things are absolute staples and since I’ve had the ability to be in control of this football team, those have been our focus.” – Saskatchewan head coach Scott Flory.
NYHUS HURT, WATSON COMES IN
Nyhus was 15-for-26 for 177 yards and ended up with a pair of touchdown passes, but was levelled by Rams defensive back Zach Moore while attempting a pass in the third quarter. He returned briefly the following drive, but was eventually replaced for good by Watson. Watson acquitted himself nicely in relief, completing four of six passes for 46 yards including a six-yard touchdown to Ewanchyna.
Nyhus was 15-for-26 for 177 yards and ended up with a pair of touchdown passes, but was levelled by Rams defensive back Zach Moore while attempting a pass in the third quarter. He returned briefly the following drive, but was eventually replaced for good by Watson. Watson acquitted himself nicely in relief, completing four of six passes for 46 yards including a six-yard touchdown to Ewanchyna.
BIG DAY FOR LOKOMBO
Besides his two fourth-quarter interceptions, Lokombo also had a pass breakup and two tackles for loss including a sack for a 10-yard loss in the first quarter. Lokombo also had an 11-yard kickoff return and finished the game with 3.5 tackles.
Besides his two fourth-quarter interceptions, Lokombo also had a pass breakup and two tackles for loss including a sack for a 10-yard loss in the first quarter. Lokombo also had an 11-yard kickoff return and finished the game with 3.5 tackles.
RAMS HIGHLIGHTS
Eric Wicijowski had a solid game on the defensive line for the Rams, including a forced fumble on a sack which was picked up by fellow lineman Matt Moore. Wicijowski also had a three-yard tackle for loss on a second-and-short situation in the third quarter.
Eric Wicijowski had a solid game on the defensive line for the Rams, including a forced fumble on a sack which was picked up by fellow lineman Matt Moore. Wicijowski also had a three-yard tackle for loss on a second-and-short situation in the third quarter.
(UofR Athletics, Braden Konschuh)
