Huskies fall to T-Birds following fourth quarter comeback

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team failed to make up any ground in the Canada West standings after a 38-37 upset loss to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Saturday in Vancouver.

Saskatchewan entered the fourth quarter up 12 points over the last-place Thunderbirds, but a 13-point comeback in the game’s final minutes would give UBC its second victory of the season.

A Garrin McDonnell field goal with 31 seconds left to gain a 38-37 lead would set up some dramatic moments. After a short kickoff set up the Huskies near midfield following the score, Huskies quarterback Mason Nyhus hit Colton Klassen for an 18-yard completion to enter T-Birds territory. His next pass would fall through the open arms of receiver Sam Baker for what would have been a sure touchdown.

Two plays later, Nyhus and Baker connected for a 10-yard completion to give kicker David Solie a chance from 49 yards out. His field goal attempt was sent wide right of the uprights to seal UBC’s victory.

Saskatchewan was able to open a 30-22 lead at the half as both teams traded scoring drives, most notably Baker converting an 87-yard catch-and-run play, as well as Adam Machart becoming the third Huskies player in program history to run for 1000 yards in the season before he plunged in to the endzone from the four-yard line.

Nyhus finished the game completing 20 of 35 passes for 295 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions – one of which was returned for a UBC touchdown in the first quarter.

Machart finished the day with 176 yards on the ground on 18 rushing attempts with one touchdown to go along with one reception for five yards and another touchdown.

Baker was the team’s leading receiver with seven catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

In a wild day of football, all three teams atop the conference lost to its opponents to keep the standings unchanged heading into the final week of action. That means next week’s game between the Alberta Golden Bears and the Huskies will be a fight for second place in the conference and the right to host a Canada West playoff game.

Saskatchewan could also finish first in the conference with a win and a Calgary Dinos loss to UBC.