Huskies fall to defending champion Dinos to open Canada West football season

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies fell victim to a twin trap Saturday.

University of Calgary Dinos twin receivers Jaylen and Tyson Philpot combined for 21 catches, 401 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-20 opening weekend win over the Huskies at McMahon Stadium.

“This was huge. This was a statement game,” Jaylen Philpot said on the Canada West broadcast following the game.

“We showed that we can ball out for sure.”

For much of the afternoon, the Dinos offence funneled through Jaylen Philpot, who accounted for two touchdowns, 13 catches and 246 yards alone on a day where he found plenty of space among the Huskies secondary.

Tyson Philpot added eight catches for 155 yards and a 53-yard touchdown of his own to seal the win late for the Dinos.

Not to be outdone, Huskies fifth-year receiver Colton Klassen, who watched from the sidelines the last time these two teams played in 2019 because of a leg injury, caught two touchdown passes of his own in the losing effort.

The game began as a defensive battle with Saskatchewan kicker David Solie making good on a 14-yard field goal in the opening five minutes for the early 3-0 lead.

Calgary quarterback Josiah Joseph, who completed 29 of 34 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns on the day, found Jaylen Philpot from 13 yards to put the Dinos up 7-3 early in the second quarter.

Klassen was able to secure an 11-yard pass from Huskies quarterback Mason Nyhus to give the Huskies a 10-7 lead with 1:53 remaining in the first half.

The lead was short-lived after the Dinos quickly marched down the field and finished off a seven-play drive with an in-stride 24-yard pass from Joseph to Jaylen Philpot to go up 14-10 at the half.

Two field goals from Dinos kicker Vince Triumbari would extend the lead to 20-12 with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter before a Javier Williams touchdown run put the game out of reach for the Dogs.

Running back Adam Machart’s streak of 100 rushing yards in a game ended at nine with 83 yards on 15 attempts Saturday.

Saturday marks the second consecutive opening loss to a Canada West season for the Huskies.

The Huskies will stay on the road for a matchup against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Friday.