1st all-Sask. Hardy Cup in more than 2 decades set for Saturday in Saskatoon
CBC
Saskatchewan football fans will be breaking out their team gear this weekend, as two huge games loom.
The Roughriders will be in Winnipeg battling for a spot in this year's Grey Cup game, but dedicated fans will also be eyeing the Hardy Cup clash between the province's two university teams.
The Hardy Cup goes to the winner of the Canada West division of U Sports. The winner will also host the Mitchell Bowl, with the winner of that game going on to the national championship Vanier Cup game.
This year's Hardy Cup showdown between the University of Regina Rams and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies is the first all-Saskatchewan Canada West finals clash in 22 years. The 2002 fixture went to the Huskies.
The teams are set to clash at the U of S's home field, Griffiths Stadium, on Saturday at 1 p.m. CST.
The Rams had lost their last four playoff appearances — dating back to a semi-final win over Saskatchewan in 2012 — before beating the Manitoba Bisons last weekend.
The team hasn't won the Hardy Cup since 2000. Quarterback Noah Pelletier said the players are ready to change that Saturday.
"[We] just kept on fighting and we know what we're capable of," Pelletier said. "We were able to show it in those past couple weeks, so hopefully we can continue on with that."
The Rams had a 3-5 regular season, finishing fourth in the six-team conference. The Huskies finished 5-3 for third. The teams split their regular season meetings, with each winning at home.
The Huskies won the Hardy Cup in 2021 and 2022 — and went on to lose in the Vanier Cup game both times — before the UBC Thunderbirds snatched away the trophy last year.
When the Huskies last won the Vanier Cup in 1998, head coach Scott Flory was an offensive lineman with the team. Flory said this has been one of the most competitive seasons in Canada West conference history.
"It's gonna be a real exciting finish in our conference," he said. "This will be a fitting game on Saturday. Will be a lot of fun."
Rams defensive back Jackson Sombach, said the cross-province rivalry will only elevate the level of play on the field.
"I think it'll bring out the best in both teams. I think it's the best. It's like the trilogy for the Hardy Cup. I think you couldn't really draw it up any better as a Can West scenario," he said.
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