SASKATOON, Sask. - In their final home game of the regular season, the Huskies defeated the rival Regina Rams Saturday afternoon (Oct. 19) by a final score of 22-20. The game carried significance as not only was it a U-Prairie Challenge game, presented by SaskMilk, but it was also a playoff clinching victory for the Huskies. 

The Huskies third straight win is especially satisfying for their most senior players as it was also 5th Year Appreciation Day at Griffiths Stadium. Additionally, the Dogs' victory cements a perfect 4-0 record at home and boosts their overall record to 4-3.

For Regina, the loss marks their fifth straight, plummeting the Rams to the bottom of the CanadaWest with a record of 2-5 which puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy. 

On the Huskies opening possession, the Dogs came out with an all-aerial attack as Anton Amundrud and company orchestrated a 7 play, 95-yard touchdown march that saw the Huskies' QB complete 4 of 6 passes for 88 yards during the drive. 

The drive was highlighted by a 50-yard Daniel Wiebe completion and capped off by a Ryker Frank 1-yard touchdown run. Frank's touchdown marked a significant milestone as it vaulted the Huskies running back past Terry Eisler (1985, 87-89) for the all-time lead in rushing touchdowns by a Huskie. 

After the initial Dogs outburst, both offenses traded field goals late in the opening quarter, making the score 10-3 for Saskatchewan after the first fifteen. 

In the second quarter, both defenses dialed up the intensity as neither offense could muster up a touchdown. Despite the lack of major scores for both sides, the Rams managed to put together a series of field goals and safeties that gave Regina a 11-10 lead at halftime. 

Coming out of the break, Regina looked to steal some momentum after Rams defensive back Cameron Mah picked off Amundrud which set up the visitors in Huskies territory, but the Dogs defense held strong by forcing an ensuing two and out. 

Later in the 3rd quarter, another Rams safety had Regina up 14-12 midway through the frame, but the Huskies defense was hungry for the ball. 

On the final play of the 3rd quarter, Ethan Laing punched the ball from the arm of Rams running back Marshall Erichsen, allowing Jaxson Kramchynsky to recover the fumble. 

The Huskies forced turnover resulted in a 32-yard Lukas Scott field goal that gave Saskatchewan a slim 15-14 lead as the game entered the final frame. 

On the following Regina possession, the Rams looked to respond, but the Dogs defense had other ideas as Aidan Sommacal intercepted a deep pass attempt from Noah Pelletier, nullifying the Regina drive. The inception completed a total of three forced turnovers for Saskatchewan's defense over the course of the afternoon. 

With 9:58 remaining in the 4th, the Dogs offense began what would be their most crucial drive of the game. A series of Ryker Frank rushes set up Saskatchewan for a play-action pass that resulted in Amundrud throwing a 24-yard TD strike to Daniel Wiebe in the back of the endzone.

Wiebe's catch extended his CanadaWest leading touchdown receptions total to six and extended the Huskies lead to 22-14 with just over six minutes remaining.

Wiebe also led all receivers on the day, finishing with a stat line of 9 receptions for 98 yards and 1 touchdown. 

However, with the game on the line, the Rams would not go quietly. 

On the ensuing Regina drive, the Rams put together their best offensive possession of the day by rumbling 80 yards on 10 plays and capping off the drive with a trick play that saw Noah Pelletier haul-in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Emmett Steadman. The six point play cut the Huskies lead to 22-20, setting up a critical two point conversion attempt. 

But the Huskies defense once again made a big play when they had to as Finn
Marcotte-Cribb thwarted the Rams pass attempt and maintained the Dogs' two point lead. 

The Rams then attempted an on-side kick, but were unsuccessful in recovering the football. 

The final drive of the game was a coach's dream as Frank and the Huskies offensive line salted away the remaining 2:09 on a series of rushing attempts, securing the playoff clinching win for the Dogs. 

Frank finished his record-breaking day with a total of 85 yards on 19 attempts and 1 touchdown.

The Huskies victory cements their third place standing in the CanadaWest meaning the Dogs will travel to either UBC or Manitoba for their first round matchup. 

UP NEXT
The Huskies travel to Calgary to take on the Dinos (2-5) in the final week of the CanadaWest regular season. Catch all the action on CanadaWest.tv.