1st all-Sask. Hardy Cup in more than 2 decades set for Saturday in Saskatoon

Saskatchewan football fans willbe breaking out their team gear this weekend, as two huge games loom.

The Roughriders will be in Winnipeg battling fora 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. The2002 fixture went to the Huskies.

The teams are set to clash at the U of S's home field, GriffithsStadium, on Saturdayat 1 p.m. CST.

WATCH |Huskies, Rams ready for all-Saskatchewan Hardy Cup championship game:

Huskies, Rams ready for all-Saskatchewan Hardy Cup championship game

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It's more than a championship on the line it's also provincial bragging rights. For the first time since 2002, the University of Regina Rams and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies will face off for the CanadaWest football championship.

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 Cupin 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 saidthis 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.

Both teams pulled off dramatic upsets on the road to set up the all-Saskatchewan final.

The Rams pulled off a 28-25 win over the first place Bisons. Receiver Nicholas Sirleaf took a pass from quarterback Pelletier and ran the ball into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown with just 19 seconds on the clock. Rams linebacker Garret Hatchard then intercepted Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski with three seconds remaining, sealing to the victory.

Rams head coach Mark McConkey said that winning touchdown was an all-time momentfor him, but the team will try totop it in the finals.

"It's our provincial rival, so the juices are flowing a little bit more,"he said."The guys have been great. They're prepared, they're ready to go and we're just excited for the opportunity on Saturday."

The Huskies, meanwhile, beat the UBC Thunderbirds 38-33 in Vancouver after overcoming a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit.

Quarterback Anton Amundrud threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Ercy Avul with a minute left to go to get the game within three points. Then, with 30 seconds left of the game, Ryker Frank scored a one-yard touchdown, stunning the home team.

Huskies defensive back Katley Joseph said the team knew it would be a close contest.

"It just happened so fast, but if I'm being honest, it's a moment that each and everyone of us we were ready for it," he said.