In a breathtaking finish that will be remembered for years, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies captured the Hardy Cup with a dramatic 25-24 victory over their provincial rivals, the Regina Rams, on Saturday at Griffiths Stadium.
Fourth Quarter Miracle
Trailing by two scores entering the final quarter, the Huskies mounted an incredible comeback that culminated in Lukas Scott's 25-yard game-winning field goal with just 25 seconds remaining on the clock. The kick secured the Canada West championship in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
"I missed a game winner against the Manitoba Bisons earlier in the season," Scott admitted after the victory, a medal proudly hanging around his neck. "Just kind of thinking back to that, I really wanted to be able to lift up the boys today and that's exactly what I did. Every person dreams of it and it's a huge moment... I just knew I was going to hit that kick."
Rivalry Showdown Delivers Thrills
The in-province rivalry lived up to its billing with both teams combining for 801 total yards of offence in a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on edge throughout. The Rams had appeared headed for a repeat of last year's Hardy Cup victory when they held a commanding 24-9 lead after three quarters.
Huskies coach Scott Flory praised his team's resilience, noting they "just never quit" despite facing a significant deficit entering the fourth quarter. The comeback was sparked by quarterback Jake Farrell, who threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter to set up Scott's championship-winning moment.
Playoff Implications and Looking Ahead
With the victory, the Huskies improved their impressive season record and earned the right to host the Mitchell Bowl against Ontario's Queen's Gaels next weekend. The winner of that contest will advance to the Vanier Cup, which will be played in Regina for the first time ever.
The Huskies, who posted a 7-1 record during the regular season, had beaten the British Columbia Thunderbirds 26-7 in the semifinal to advance to the championship game. The Rams finished close behind at 6-2 during regular season play, making Saturday's matchup a contest between the top two teams in Canada West.
While the Huskies celebrated with the Hardy Cup trophy, the Rams gathered for an emotional team meeting after the heartbreaking loss. "I think we showed flashes of good Rams football and then at the end of the game, we just couldn't execute," said Rams head coach Mark McConkey. "These guys did everything the right way and I am still proud of the players and the group."
Rams quarterback Owen Sieben took responsibility for the second-half performance, stating, "As a quarterback, that's 100 percent on me. I got to be better than that in the second half. I just love this team, man, and I love these fifth years. It's the grittiest football team I've ever been on."
