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The University of Saskatchewan Huskies will play for the national championship after defeating the Queen's Golden Gaels 22-11 in the Mitchell Bowl on Saturday in Saskatoon.
The Huskies will now take on the Montreal Carabins in the Vanier Cup next week in Regina.
On Saturday, Daniel Kubongo was named the game's offensive player of the year as the punt returner/receiver made an impressive 85-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter to help the Huskies take a 14-1 halftime lead.
Kubongo showed No. 11 after scoring the TD, referring to Huskies cornerback Anton Amundrud.
The Huskies entered the game with a heavy heart after learning Amundrud had been diagnosed with cancer.
“Yesterday I was able to talk to Anton and he advised me to buy him a big one,” Kubongo said. “Even before I crossed the goal line, I knew I was going to throw up. I knew I was going to walk up to the camera and just say Hey, we love him because we really do. And we're doing this for him.”
Huskies head coach Scott Flory was visibly moved when he spoke about Amundrud after the game.
“I love this guy,” Flory said.
“This was the hardest team meeting I've ever had,” he said while telling the team the news about Amundrud.
“But man, what a week to be together and be able to do what we love, do it for the guy we love and just be together. And that's really what this team is all about.”
After missing a single on the opening kickoff, the Huskies got on the board when QB Jake Farrell connected with Hec Creighton candidate Daniel Wiebe for a 41-yard touchdown to make the score 7-1.
Kubongo's return TD was the only score of the half as both defenses kept the offense shut.
Queens scored in the third quarter, going 87 yards in seven plays, when Gael receiver Cedric Smith hauled in a 17-yard pass from Alex Vreeken to make it 16-8.
The Huskies would get the safety to make it 18-8 heading into the final quarter.
Queens kicker Tyler Mullen kicked a 13-yard field goal to make it 16-11, but that's as close as they could get.
Kicker Lucas Scott kicked a 44-yard field goal midway through the final frame and then kicked from 26 yards out to make it 22-11 with just three minutes left in the game.
The Huskies were then able to run out the clock as running back Ryker Frank made his way for a pair of first downs to seal the win.
“We knew Queen had a great team,” Farrell said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game and I was just grateful that we had a defense that was able to get the ball back for us.”
Gaels head coach Steve Snyder said the difference in the game was execution.
“I give Saskatchewan credit, they are obviously a fantastic team and they fully deserved to win,” Snyder said.
“I think we could have played a little better… we were able to get them at times and we also left a lot on the field and I think that was the big difference.”
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies relied on their defense and special teams to defeat the Royal Golden Gaels 22-11 in the Mitchell Bowl in Saskatoon.
Flory said they paid close attention to preparing special teams for the game.
“We didn't know how, we didn't know when, but Daniel, I mean he got a couple of long kick returns called back and he's such a great returner,” Flory said, adding that everyone else on the field has to do their job, too.
Flory said defense is still the backbone of the team.
“The security was turned off,” he said.
Huskies fifth-year linebacker Seth Handeby was named the game's Defensive Player of the Year, recording a pair of sacks and a forced fumble.
“I’m so excited to continue wearing this jersey for as long as I can,” Handeby said.
“I’ll be able to use it more and then it’ll move on to the next (player), so I’m excited to use it all.”
The Huskies will play for the Vanier Cup next Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, where they will face the Montreal Carabins.
The Carabines defeated the St. Mary's Huskies 49-19 in the Uteck Bowl.
Watch the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and Queen's University Gaels take on each other in the Mitchell Bowl from Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus with a trip to the prestigious Vanier Cup on the line.
