'It’s a long time coming': Huskies excited to hit field in Saskatoon for first real gridiron test in nearly two years
The U of S Huskies football team, like other university teams, have not played a game against another opponent in nearly two years and players say that is jacking up excitement for this weekend's preseason game against Manitoba.
"Honestly it's a long time coming. All the boys are jacked just to hit somebody other than our own team so everyone's looking forward to it," said Quarterback Mason Nyhus.
Head coach Scott Flory says there have been plenty of battles for opportunities in training camp and with nearly 700 days between playing games, Saturday's tilt could show who excels where on the depth chart.
"It will be a good test for us and be able to put a lot of guys in different spots and stress them and see what comes of it. But from a training camp perspective, we're getting out of it what we want to get out of it," said Flory.
Several key players are back with the Huskies on offence, including 2019 Canada-West player of the year, running back Adam Machart, quarterback Mason Nyhus, and receiver Colten Klassen, who was a 2018 and 2019 Canada-West all star. The duo may be a potent connection this season.
"I really hope so, obviously I love C.K. He's a great route runner, great competitor and just getting that guy and the ball in space is fantastic. Same thing with 20 right, we have a lot of dynamic athletes," said Nyhus.
On defence, coach Flory says he expects their front six to cause problems for opposing offences.
"We're big and strong and athletic in the front six for sure and they've got to do their job. We've got to be gap sound, we got to stop the run, all those kind of things"
Players say the lost season in 2020 shouldn't have an impact, but one focus of training camp are the details.
"You know, we always stress the details. Just being sound. Knowing our job. Trusting the guy next to you. That kind of thing," said Adam Machart.
The Huskies clash with Manitoba in a preseason contest Saturday at 2 p.m at Griffiths Stadium.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.