Huskie Outsider

Huskie Outsider Readers,

Training Camp has ended and while it was a far cry from the 13 2-a-days we had in the olden days, it was a crisp and intense training camp. These young men come to camp in amazing physical condition and ready to play football at a very high level. But camp is difficult. Hitting your own guys is fun for a day or two in the fall, but hitting someone else is always better.

So what can we expect from this season? I think we can expect a very competitive Canada West conference. There have been lots of changes in the conference from the Regina Rams deciding that winning is more important than character (based on some of their newest recruits) to a brand new coaching staff at UBC. That being said, Calgary remains the nemesis that the Huskies need to overcome. After an unfortunate loss in the Hardy Cup, these Dogs want revenge!!! But we should all remember that revenge is a dish better served COLD! We have the potential to face the Dinos three times this season and while home field advantage is critical, the only victory against the Dino’s that matters is the LAST VICTORY. It’s easy to say that but there are some scores to be settled.

Without a doubt these two teams should be ranked #1 and #2 in the country, With some due respect to the Dinos for their victory in the Hardy Cup, we need to grudgingly cede to them the #1 spot in the nation (which I expect they will get in the upcoming polls).  A road game this coming weekend in Calgary will tell us something about this rivalry and the battle royal that these two teams will have this season. Let’s not overlook the balance of the conference which is stronger than last season and each of these teams is capable of upsetting either us or Calgary if we put up a sub-par performance against them.

On to our team. First we have to respect those who contributed mightily last season but have graduated and moved on to ‘the rest of their lives’ and cannot help us this year.  Notably……Taylor Wallace, Tyler O’Gorman, Hubert Buydens, Scott McHenry, Jon Krahenbil,  Grant Shaw and Cory Jones. Undoubtedly we will never forget them, but the reality of college football is that they also created holes that need to be filled.

Coach Towriss and his exceptional staff have indeed found the talent to fill those vacated spots. Talent alone however does not make a football team. Those filling the spots of these departed warriors will need to find the HEART and intensity to ensure that the 2010 Huskies have the drive and desire necessary to fulfill their ambitions of a Vanier Cup. Based on training camp I think that you will see team with greater speed and the emergence of new leaders who have proven themselves worthy of wearing the Green and White (and sometimes BLACK) with Huskie Pride!

In particular, based on my observations from training camp keep your eye out for Peter Thiel, Joel Suetter, Zach Hart, Bryce McCall, Keenan MacDougall, Jeff Hassler, Braeden George and Patty Neufeld to bring the level of intensity, veteran leadership and nastiness that is required of a winner. As a 5th Year Laurence Nixon brings the leadership of a proven veteran. There are so many outstanding players to mention that I cannot possibly name them all but also look for the emergence of players like  Seamus Neary, Tony Michalchuck, Ben Heenan and Garrett Bolen to add to that spirit. I am certain that all of them and their team mates will play with a special inspiration to make sure that their fallen warrior, Dathan Thomas returns to a team ready for a run for the Vanier Cup.

As fans we have sky high expectations prior to the season starting, but we also have a role. Last season we saw record crowds attending Huskie Football. This year I fully expect we will see crowds exceeding 8000 strong for some games with the momentum built last year continuing. The opportunity exists to have Saskatoon emerge as the greatest College Sports Town in Canada and football season kicks that all off. The 2010 Huskies team needs our support and based on the Non-Conference game against Western I’m certain that new attendance records will be set in support of Huskie Football. Tell your friends about the experience and bring your families out to the games and make some serious noise in support of our team. Make Griffiths Stadium a NASTY place for our opponents to play in! Make it so noisy that the opposition players WISH that they had come to the U of S to play their football instead of visiting once a year. Come out not only to watch football, but rather to participate in the football game!

The Dog Whisperer wishes the team well this season and asks our fans to step it up to the next level of being a RABID DOGS FAN!!!!

Dog Whisperer

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