Saskatchewan Huskies plummet down U Sports football rankings

Photo: Rich Lam/UBC Athletics

The U Sports football regular season has officially come to a close, and the Saskatchewan Huskies have fallen four spots down the national rankings heading into the playoffs.

The Dogs suffered a one-sided loss to the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday night, which cost them first place in the Canada West standings. UBC had to win the game by at least 11 points to clinch first and did so with a 59-24 victory in Vancouver.

Saskatchewan quarterback Anton Amundrud threw for 397 yards and two interceptions in the loss, the latter of which was returned 33 yards for a touchdown by defensive lineman Alex Longo. UBC passer Drew Viotto threw two scores to Trey Montour, while Riley Michaud and Zach Patfield combined for three scores along the ground.

The Huskies will now host the Regina Rams in one Canada West semifinal, while the Thunderbirds, who moved up from No. 8 to No. 5 in the rankings with the win, will host the Manitoba Bisons in the conference’s other semifinal. Regina and Manitoba played at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg this past week, where the visitors won 26-15.

The Queen’s Gaels and Montreal Carabins swapped places in the rankings, with Queen’s moving up to No. 2 and Montreal moving down to No. 3. The Gaels were on bye this past week after finishing atop the OUA standings, while the Carabins were crushed 35-3 by the No. 1-ranked Laval Rouge et Or.

The Saint Mary’s Huskies moved up to No. 4 in the rankings after going 8-0 in regular-season play for the first time since 2001, the last time they won the Vanier Cup. Saint Mary’s will be on bye this week before hosting the winner of the AUS semifinal between the Acadia Axemen and St. FX X-Men.

The Windsor Lancers fell from No. 5 to No. 6 despite beating the Guelph Gryphons in the OUA quarterfinals. Hec Crighton Trophy hopeful Kareame Cotton scored a rushing touchdown and threw a touchdown pass to Evan Martin in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback and secure a 28-24 win.

The Western Mustangs stayed flat at No. 7 after beating the Laurier Golden Hawks by a score of 58-41 to advance to the OUA semifinals. Ben Casselman threw for 405 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while he, Ethan Dolby, Jack Kelly, Geoff Clubine, and Jérôme Rancourt each scored rushing touchdowns. Western will host the Lancers next week, while the Ottawa Gee-Gees visit Queen’s in the other OUA semifinal.

The Rams (No. 9) and McGill Redbirds (No. 10) have officially rejoined the rankings, knocking off the Golden Hawks and McMaster Marauders, the latter of whom lost to the Gee-Gees in upset fashion.

The Redbirds won 49-19 over the Sherbrooke Vert et Or this past weekend and will now visit the Carabins in next week’s RSEQ semifinal. The program hasn’t won a playoff game since 2002.

1) Laval — 160 points (80 media/80 ELO)

2) Queen’s — 128 points (64 media/64 ELO)

3) Montreal — 115 points (59 media/56 ELO)

4) Saint Mary’s — 101 points (29 media/72 ELO)

5) UBC — 99 points (51 media/48 ELO)

6) Windsor — 88 points (48 media/40 ELO)

7) Western — 71 points (39 media/32 ELO)

8) Saskatchewan — 60 points (36 media/24 ELO)

9) Regina — 24 points (8 media/16 ELO)

10) McGill — 23 points (15 media/8 ELO)

For a full recap of U Sports action this past week, click here.