'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
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.