U of S Huskies hungry for bounce-back performance against Dinos

Over the past week, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team has been dreaming of home sweet home.

The Huskies are looking forward to playing their first game at Griffiths Stadium this Canada West season, while also putting an underwhelming start to the year behind them.

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“We have another opportunity this Friday to right the wrongs that we had last week,” said Huskies quarterback Anton Amundrud. “We’re excited to do that.”

The Huskies will play host to the University of Calgary Dinos on Friday night in their annual homecoming game, which has some added stakes after a rough season opener last weekend in Winnipeg.

Despite being ranked third in the nation heading into their Week 1 tilt against the Manitoba Bisons, the Huskies came out flat in a 40-22 loss, which head coach Scott Flory said fell short of nearly all expectations.

“We didn’t take care of our business there last weekend,” Flory said. “We’ve got to clean some stuff up all across the board. Offence, defence and special teams. We will be better on Friday night, rest assured on that.”

Despite putting up 469 yards of offence against Manitoba, it was a sloppy performance in many aspects for the Huskies, including four turnovers and 72 yards in penalties.

It was a far cry from the team’s 35-1 pre-season victory over the University of Alberta Golden Bears, which Flory attributed to the team unprepared for what Manitoba had to throw at them.

“When it’s a collective letdown, I think everybody has got to look in the mirror,” Flory said.

“It was a systemic thing across the board. I look at that as my fault. We were not ready.”

In his first regular-season game since overcoming last year’s cancer diagnosis, Amundrud wasn’t able to find his rhythm against Manitoba as he completed 17 of 33 attempts with 268 yards passing and an interception.

He said moving the chains will be critical on Friday, and said he expects to have more consistency in the passing game.

“Attention to detail and first-down production,” Amundrud said. “We got ourselves off the field a little too much. And accountability on myself as well – I’ve got to be better. As veterans in the offence, we’ve got to be better.”

Flory said he expects backup quarterback Jake Farrell to be available for Friday’s game after he left midway through the Week 1 loss with leg cramping, finishing his day five-for-seven with 79 yards passing in relief of Amundrud. But, Flory added, there’s no change to their quarterback depth chart for Friday, with Amundrud getting the ball once again.

“Anton is our starting quarterback. He’s going to start Friday,” Flory said. “He will be under centre until he isn’t, and I don’t expect him to have hiccups. I expect him to come out and play like he knows that he will.”

Upwards of 8,000 fans are expected to file in through the gates of Griffiths Stadium on Friday, which Amundrud said always gives the players a boost.

“We’re excited every time here for homecoming at Griffiths,” Amundrud said.

“It’s a great atmosphere, awesome fans, loud. It’s a great environment to play in, and it’s one of the more fun games of the year.”

The Huskies will be taking on a Dinos team which is coming off a decisive 32-7 victory against the UBC Thunderbirds last week, with Flory cautioning his team not to underestimate their opponents at home.

With a large crowd expected to attend, Flory the expectation will be for the Huskies to show out for their fans and pick up their first victory of 2026.

“They’re all here for us,” Flory said. “Let’s make sure that we do our part, show up and give them something to cheer about.”

University of Saskatchewan Huskies defensive back Nathan Casimir has joined the program’s secondary after spending three years playing south of the border at various NCAA levels. (Electric Umbrella/Huskie Athletics)

Casimir fresh off Huskies debut

Huskies defensive back Nathan Casimir said he’s heard stories about the atmosphere at the team’s homecoming games, and it’s something he’ll finally get to experience for himself on Friday.

“People keep telling me that homecoming is crazy here,” Casimir said.

“I’m just excited to play and show off for the fans.”

Casimir led the Huskies last week with four solo tackles in his debut with the team. He was recruited over the off-season after years spent playing south of the border.

Flory said it will take some time for the Ottawa product to fully integrate into their system after missing the first three days of camp, but likes what he’s seen so far.

“We knew it was going to take a minute to acclimatized, and that was his first game action,” Flory said.

“It’s the movement, the motion and all those kind of things. I think he’s only going to get better each and every week, and that’s what veterans do.”

After beginning his NCAA football career at the FCS level with Merrimack College, Casimir split the last two seasons playing at the Division II level with Post University and Western New Mexico University.

In 10 games for the Post Eagles in 2024, Casimir had 11 tackles and one pass breakup with another three tackles registered in 2025 at Western New Mexico.

With three seasons of eligibility left with the Huskies, Casimir said he wants to be a difference maker in the team’s secondary.

“I’m just bringing a lot of energy,” Casimir said. “I play with a lot of passion. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I just try to bring that to the defence, try to be a tone setter.”

He credited Huskies vets like Ethan Laing and Taz Smith-Windsor for helping welcome him to the program, as well as creating some immediate chemistry among the defensive backs.

With a pre-season interception already under his belt, Casimir will be looking to create more havoc when the ball is kicked off for the first time this Canada West season at Griffiths Stadium.

“I’m excited to celebrate with (the fans),” Casimir said.

“Hopefully I can get a turnover. We want to win and just have a good time after. The fans are here, and I’m trying to support the fans. I want the fans to support us.”

The Huskies (0-1) get their homecoming game underway at 7 p.m. on Friday night.