SASKATOON -- The Saskatchewan Huskies won the turnover battle, opened up a large first half lead and held on down the stretch for a 42-24 win over No. 7 nationally ranked Manitoba. The victory pushes the Huskies to 3-3, keeping their home playoff hopes alive. Manitoba fell to 5-1, but are still two points ahead of 4-2 UBC, and four ahead of third place Saskatchewan in the race for a home playoff game.

Manitoba's defence kept the game close in the early stages. An Owen Miller interception midway through the opening quarter -- the first of his U SPORTS career on a tipped ball -- gave Manitoba possession deep in Saskatchewan territory down 4-0, but the Huskies got the ball back three plays later.

Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski -- who threw for 212 yards and rushed for 93 with a score -- tried to force a ball to Braeden Smith in a tight window, and was picked off by Ethan Laing. The interception was a huge momentum shift, with the hosts scoring a few drives later to open up an 11-0 lead.

The following drive, Bisons running back Breydon Stubbs -- who rushed for 95 yards and two scores -- was stuffed on a third and one. Two drives later, the Huskies scored again, taking a 28-3 lead into the break.

Manitoba battled in the second half, thanks in large part to their run game. The Herd went over 200 yards for the seventh time in the last 16 games, including a few massive gains for Tachinski, and they got the score to within ten late, but it wasn't enough to catch Saskatchewan.

After narrowing the score to 34-24, Ryker Frank answered with a 55-yard major on the next play from scrimmage for the hosts. He finished with 163 yards on the ground and two scores, while Saskatchewan added a second interception.

The win continued the Huskies' impressive run against Manitoba at Griffiths. They are undefeated at home against the Bisons dating back to the 2017 regular season finale.

Both teams are now on the thanksgiving break. Manitoba's next game is on the road against Alberta on October 19.