Machart runs into record books, seals Huskies’ first home playoff game since 2014

Adam Machart is no stranger to running.

After running his way through tackles and into endzones across Western Canada, the third-year University of Saskatchewan Huskies running back ran his way through a 20-year-old record Saturday during a 22-9 win over the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

Needing 167 yards to break Doug Rozon’s team record of 1,267 rushing yards set in 1999, Machart rumbled for 227 yards to set a new standard of excellence for the football program.

“It’s incredible,” Machart said, who surpassed David Stevens and Rozon en route to breaking the Huskies record.

“(Steven’s) a mentor of mine. He’s been really great to me. To pass him is a huge honour.”

Huskies head coach Scott Flory knows a thing or two about outstanding running backs. Before Flory shared the field with players like Mike Pringle during his 15-year CFL career, Flory helped open running lanes during Rozon’s record-setting season in 1999 as a member of the Huskies.

“I’m just so happy and proud of (Machart). He’s just such an awesome young man — you want success for guys like that. There are some great running backs that have been through this program. For (Machart) to do what he did this year is remarkable,” Flory said.

Machart set the record on a 43-yard run in the third quarter. The crowd cheered extra loud knowing what they had seen, but Machart was unaware.

“In the fourth quarter I kind of heard some guys whispering. No one was trying to tell me anything. I didn’t know until later in the game and I talked to a few people after the fourth quarter and they let me know,” Machart said of his team’s effort to keep the record a secret.

Leading the nation in rushing yards, Machart is bound to garner some attention for the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding U Sports player, but his mind is on what’s to come for the Huskies.

Saskatchewan clinched a home playoff game with the victory, the program’s first time playing a playoff game at Griffiths Stadium since Flory was an assistant coach in 2014.

“It’s important for us, the university — it’s important for us not to travel,” Flory said. ” It’s important to be home — the pregame meal, the routine. I like wearing green instead of white.”

There were plenty of playoff implications leading into the final regular season weekend of the Canada West season. Saskatchewan needed to win to host a playoff game against the Golden Bears. A loss would have had the team travelling to Edmonton.

After Saskatoon was dusted with a layer of ice and snow overnight Friday, rushing the football became more important as both teams opted to move away from passing the ball in hopes of avoiding turnovers. That recipe added up to big hits and flared tempers ahead of next week’s rematch.

“We’re in Saskatchewan. If you plan on playing in October and November, you better be prepared to deal with this stuff,” Flory said of the elements. “That’s a good football team. They got some big dudes. It’ll be a slugfest next week.”

Colton Klassen, Saskatchewan’s leading receiver during the 2018 playoffs, went down with a gruesome injury on Saturday. The fourth-year slotback had his right leg twisted during a tackle in the opening half. Players quickly got the attention of trainers as Klassen laid on the field in agony with his leg pointing in an awkward direction.

“He’s one of the hardest working guys out here. He wants to be here with us. We just got to do it for him,” fifth-year defensive lineman Evan Machibroda said.

With at least 130 yards rushing in all but one game this season, Machart will once again lean on his record-breaking performance for the playoffs.

“We play good at home. We just got to do it over again,” he said.