SASKATOON – For the second consecutive week, the University of Calgary Dinos football team knocked off a ranked opponent with a 13-12 win Saturday over the sixth-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies from Griffiths Stadium.

Saskatchewan scored the first 10 points of the game, but the Dinos controlled the scoreboard the rest of the way, tying the game early in the fourth quarter and taking the lead for good with 1:48 left in the game in their second straight win.

Calgary now improves to 2-5 on the season to keep their postseason hope alive with one week left in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Huskies hopes for a home playoff game took a hit with the loss, moving to 4-3 on the year and losing back-to-back games for the first time since 2018.

It was another big game for the Dinos defence, who hauled in three interceptions and forced another turnover on downs late as they held the Saskatchewan offence out of the endzone in this one – as the lone Huskies major came on special teams.

"We were just making sure we were mentally locked in," fifth-year defensive back Jacob Biggs said after the win. "We keep each other up. We had a great week of practice – I think that was the biggest influence in today's win. We have a great coaching staff. They had a great playbook this week. Everything flowed well. We were able to keep the momentum going into the second half and I think that played a big part of it."

The Huskies opening drive proved to be emblematic of the whole game. The home squad started the game with the ball and drove ball into the red zone. But a big sack by Liam Reid and reigning U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week Daniel Flanagan pushed Saskatchewan back to make it a 28-yard field goal attempt that went wide right to keep the game scoreless in a big stop by Calgary.

After a fumbled punt return created a short field, the Huskies got on the board first on a 45-yard field goal by David Solie with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Midway through the second, it was another special teams play that made a big impact. Chris MacLean's punt to the Saskatchewan 42-yard line was hauled in by Branson Pipko. The return man made a nice move and turned on the jets for a 68-yard run and the first touchdown of the game to make it 10-0.

Calgary got its first big break late in the first half. Nate Beauchemin – who had three interceptions in the first battle with the Huskies back in Week 4 – grabbed his fourth pick of the season and returned the ball to the 13-yard line with just 53 seconds left in the half. Xavier Vaillancourt – in briefly for an injured Dom Britton – connected with Matt Sibley, who made a move and scampered into the endzone to make it a 10-7 at the half.

The game stayed that way until the fourth quarter. Starting on their own 35, the Dinos methodically drove down the field before Vince Triumbari tied the game with a 40-yard field goal with 8:37 left to play.

Calgary's defence forced a punt and the Dinos offence once again marched down the field on its next possession. Starting this time at their own 20, Calgary used an 11-play, 77-yard drive that was capped by a 37-yard Triumbari kick to take the lead with just 1:48 left to play.

With the game on the line, the defence once again was up to the task, forcing a 47-yard field goal attempt by Saskatchewan that again went wide right. 

The Dinos intentionally took a safety to drain the clock and ice this one away for their second win in as many weeks.

"That two-minute drill...we've done it before," Dom Britton said of his team's go-ahead drive late in the game. "It was no big deal. We practice it every week.

"(Saskatchewan's) defence is tough, but our defence made some huge stops to keep us in the game. Offensively, we just kept grinding. The O-line stepped it up. The running backs had a big game and then we just had a couple big catches at the end."

Britton finished the game with 127 yards passing on 13-of-27 attempts. Vaillancourt was a perfect 2-for-2 in his one series for Britton with a touchdown pass. 

Matthieu Clarke and Nick Sua ran for a combined 66 hard-earned yards on the ground.

Beauchemin, Isaiah Smith and Jordan Chizda all had interceptions on the afternoon, while Jacob Biggs led the Dinos with eight tackles on the day.

"I think all the boys are just having faith in one another. Trust across the board," Biggs said. "Dom Britton is leading us out there, which is awesome to see. We've got good offensive talent. Everything is just coming together. It's becoming more fluid and as we get the wins, it starts to become a lot more fun, so hopefully we can get the next one."

The Dinos now return home for the regular season finale, hosting Manitoba in a must-win game from McMahon Stadium, scheduled for 2 p.m. next Saturday.

-UC-