Huskie Outsider

Saturday, September 4, 7:00 p.m.
McMahon Stadium, Calgary
Broadcast available at www.ck750.com (pregame show at 6:30 p.m.)
Television broadcast available on Shaw (channel 10 in Saskatoon) and Shaw Direct (channels 299 and 407)

Records coming in: Calgary 0-0, 1-0 in non-conference action (ranked first overall in the FRC-CIS Top Ten Poll); Saskatchewan 0-0, 1-0 in non-conference action (ranked third overall in the FRC-CIS Top Ten Poll).

Head to head history: Saskatchewan has 9 regular season wins to Calgary’s 4 since 2000.

What’s on the line: Although it’s the first game of the season, this one could decide first place and home-field advantage in the playoffs, just as the first game last season did. This game isn’t quite as important as the 2009 season opener, as these teams will square off once again on October 15 at Griffiths, but a win against your closest rival is always important.

More importantly, for the Huskies, this game is a chance to show they deserve to be ranked at the same level as the Dinos. The Dinos had the third highest scoring offence in the CIS last season, advanced to the Vanier Cup and had the Hec Crighton winner on their roster and are picked by many observers as the favourites to win the Vanier this year. The Huskies would like to show that they should not be overlooked, that they are just as dangerous as the Dinos, and remind people that there was a one-point difference between the two teams the last time they played.

Key players: The Huskies have a veteran offence coming into 2010, with fifth-year veteran quarterback Laurence Nixon leading the charge. Nixon completed 62.5 percent of his passes last season for 1933 yards and five touchdowns. The receiving corps is led by fifth-year player Travis Gorski, who had 43 catches for 467 yards in an injury-filled 2009 campaign. Rushing leader Jeff Hassler returns for his second season at running back after posting 370 yards and five touchdowns in only four games last season. The big, veteran offensive line will be led by two fifth-year players, centre Darren Hinds and former SFU guard Dale Furber, and Saskatchewan Roughriders draft pick, fourth-year tackle Patrick Neufeld.

The Dinos defence comes into the season with new faces in key positions, including former All-Canadian Anthony DesLauriers, who will start at safety after transferring from SFU. Fifth-year linebacker and second-team All-Canadian Andrea Bonaventura, returns after posting 40.5 tackles and one sack in 2009. On the defensive line, the onus will fall on interior linemen Linden Gaydosh, who returns after being named Canada West Rookie of the Year, and fifth-year Carlos Guglielmi, as the Dinos lost both starting defensive ends, Andrew Obrecht and Deji Oduwole.

The Huskies return the core of the stingiest defence in the conference. Safety Bryce McCall will look to improve on his 45.5 tackles and seven interceptions in his third year. Third-year linebacker Peter Thiel, who had 42.5 tackles and a sack last season, is poised to become one of the premiere linebackers in the CIS and will be counted on by the Huskies as a leader on defence. Sack leader Zach Hart will return to chase down quarterbacks and stuff the run, two things that are of paramount importance when playing the Dinos.

The Dinos return all but one starter on offence, and look to be every bit as dangerous as last season. 2009 Hec Crighton winner Erik Glavic returns for his fifth year to quarterback the Dino’s offence. His ability to scramble, throw on the run, and elude defenders opens up many opportunities for his teammates. Among the main beneficiaries of Glavic’s play will be first team All-Canadian Nathan Coehorn and second team All-Canadian Anthony Parker, who combined for 1281 yards receiving and nine touchdowns last season. Another first team All-Canadian who is returning is running back Matt Walter, who churned out 1103 yards rushing and scored 12 touchdowns, both of which lead the Canada West.

Roster moves: All-Canadian Dino linebacker Andrea Bonaventura is reportedly injured and is supposed to sit the game out. We’ll see about that, and I’m sure the Huskies are preparing as though he will be in there.

Other than Dathan Thomas, who will be out until after the bye week, the Huskies are coming into the game healthy.

Key matchups: The Dinos had little success running the ball against the Huskies last season with Matt Walter, who averaged 142 yards per game, putting up 95 and 96 in the games against Saskatchewan last season. Saskatchewan’s focus on stopping the run between the tackles, along with Glavic’s scrambling ability, opened up many holes for interior receivers Anthony Parker and Richard Snyder, who burned the Huskies for 428 yards and three touchdowns in their two games last year. Expect more of the same this year, putting the pressure on the Huskies’ experienced halfbacks and safety, Keenan MacDougall, Mitch Friesen and Bryce McCall. McCall did not play in the Hardy Cup game and the Dinos took advantage of it, but his presence in Saturday’s game may force them to look at spreading the ball out to their wide receivers, especially if the Saskatchewan pass-rush is penetrating.

When the Huskies have the ball, their veteran offensive line will dictate how the evening progresses for the offence. It’s unknown, at the moment, what the Dinos will bring as far as a pass rush is concerned, as Oduwole, Obrecht and linebacker Chase Moore and their combined 11 sacks are gone (and possibly Bonaventura, as well), while new defensive coordinator, Head Coach Blake Nill, has put in new defensive schemes. If the Huskies are able to keep the Calgary front seven at bay and give the receivers time to get open, it could be a long day for the Dino’s defence. If the passing game is clicking, that will open up lanes for the running game, as we saw in the Hardy Cup when Tyler O’Gorman gained 162 yards on 24 carries. The battle along the line of scrimmage is key for the Huskies in this game.

What to expect: Expect the same thing as the two matches last season – a close game that will come down to one play, likely in the last minute, that decides it.

That’s the safe answer. It’s hard to tell, however, how this is going to turn out, as there are a number of variables that have changed since these teams last met. First, how will the losses of players like Moore, Obrecht, Odowole and Matt Grohn on Calgary and Taylor Wallace, Grant Shaw, John Krahenbil and Scott McHenry on the Huskies affect each team? Second, what will the Calgary defence look like with Nill coordinating it? Third, will the Calgary offence have the same success as last season now that they, and specifically their quarterback, are a known commodity in the conference? And, fourth, how will the Huskies react to playing the Dinos on the road, rather than hosting them, as they did in both meetings last season?

As this is the first game of the season, it won’t necessarily be indicative of what either of these teams are capable of. Mistakes will be made as players get back into the game and adjust to a team they have no current film on. This game could come down to turnovers, which are more prone to happen early in the season. But, no matter what happens, it’s important not to rush to conclusions, as both of these teams are likely to improve and become more dangerous as the season progresses.

This game will be used as a measuring stick by both teams, as it will give an early indication of how things stack up against the other top team in the conference. Both know that to win the conference and head to the Vanier, they will likely need to beat the other in the playoffs, so expect a little experimentation by each side as they try to find out where each others weaknesses and vulnerabilities are in order to prepare for a possible playoff showdown.

What we’re sure to see is an entertaining, physical matchup with plenty of big plays on both sides. For Huskie fans, redemption for last year’s playoff loss would be nice, but coming out of this game healthy and ready for an improved UBC squad next week will be just as important, no matter the outcome. A healthy contingent of Huskie fans at the game will help out, so if you’re in the Calgary area, head down to McMahon with your green and white on the cheer on the Dogs!

Go, Dogs, go!

Filed under: CanadaWest, Game Day, Huskies Tagged: | dinos, game preview, Huskies, skhuskies