Huskies dominate Thunderbirds to punch ticket back to BioSteel Hardy Cup
Huskies to host 88th BioSteel Hardy Cup next Saturday
SASKATOON – Ryker Frank and Daniel Wiebe combined for 256 total yards while the Saskatchewan defence limited the visiting UBC Thunderbirds to just 258, as the Huskies cruised to a 26–7 semifinal victory to earn a return trip to the BioSteel Hardy Cup.
The win sends Saskatchewan to its second straight conference championship, setting up a chance to avenge last year’s loss to the Regina Rams. It also marked the Huskies’ fifth consecutive postseason win over UBC and their 13th all-time against the Thunderbirds.
Second-year quarterback Jake Farrell, making his fourth consecutive start, set the tone early by moving the chains with his legs on the opening drive. Though the possession stalled near midfield, Saskatchewan drew first blood soon after when UBC conceded a safety deep in its own zone.
Moments later, the Huskies struck for the game’s first major. Farrell connected with Wiebe on a 27-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter to push the lead to 11–0. Kicker David Scott added a 27-yard field goal just before halftime to make it 16–0 after a dominant defensive showing that limited UBC to only 39 total yards on 22 first-half plays.
The third quarter was defined by turnovers, with both teams combining for four in an eight-play stretch. Defensive back Ethan Laing recorded a pair of interceptions to keep the Thunderbirds off the board, while UBC’s Aaron Parker forced two fumbles to briefly swing momentum.
Early in the fourth, the Farrell–Wiebe duo connected again on a 55-yard strike that set up another Scott field goal. Wiebe finished with six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown, reinforcing his case for Canada West Player of the Year honours.
Moments later, Farrell found Dawson Lennea in the corner of the end zone for his second touchdown of the day, stretching the lead to 26–0. UBC finally broke through late with a 13-play, 107-yard drive capped by Drew Viotto’s touchdown pass to Shemar McBean, but it was too little, too late.
Anesu Latmore sealed the victory with an interception on UBC’s final drive—Viotto’s third of the night—as the Huskies celebrated another BioSteel Hardy Cup berth.
“Kudos to [defensive coordinator] Cody Halseth,” said Huskies head coach Scott Flory. “It was a good game plan, and the guys got after it. I think we might have lost the turnover battle and still won the game, but that’s what happens when your defence is playing lights out.”
Saskatchewan will now face the Regina Rams in the 2025 BioSteel Hardy Cup after Regina edged the Manitoba Bisons 32–29 in double overtime.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CST at Griffiths Stadium. Tickets are available at HuskieTickets.com