The university football playoffs are in full swing, and did not disappoint this weekend with post-season games in all four conferences.
Canada’s four top-ranked programs all cruised to victories on home turf, but there was still drama to be had elsewhere.
Acadia 10, St. FX 33
Nation-leading running back Jordan Socholotiuk’s pair of touchdowns propelled St. FX to a statement victory over the visiting Acadia Axemen; the feature back carried the ball 24 times for a whopping 242 yards in the win for the X Men, who will now travel to Saint Mary’s for the Atlantic conference’s Loney Bowl final.
Carleton 13, Western 39
The No. 7-ranked Ravens gave them a decent fight, but ultimately the top-ranked Western Mustangs just pulled away. Running back Alex Taylor is a force to be reckoned with, and the ‘Stangs will now turn their attention to a looming Yates Cup date with…
Guelph 27, uOttawa 22
The Guelph Gryphons, who reversed an 18-point deficit on the road to beat the uOttawa Gee-Gees in the nation’s capital. The Gryphons torched uOttawa on the ground to the tune of 253 rush yards, but it was the Gee-Gees’ fourth-quarter collapse that was the story of the week in Ontario.
🏈FB (OUA Semi): Relive the clutch touchdown throw from Theo Landers finding Thomas Bresciani that sends @GryphonFootball to the Yates Cup! pic.twitter.com/If3wHzrrdw
— Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) November 3, 2018
Sherbrooke 0, Laval 40
Blueprint: Followed. Sherbrooke managed just four non-penalty first downs on offence, while Laval ran for 300 yards. Next.
McGill 2, Montreal 48
It was 36-0 at halftime.
Manitoba 13, Calgary 37
Manitoba gave it an honest go, but the Dinos were simply too much for the Bisons.
Shoutout to Trysten Dyce, son of REDBLACKS special teams coordinator Bob Dyce on the utterly ridiculous one-handed catch in the losing effort.
This is my son and I’m damn proudof all he has accomplished!!!!!! 3🎲🦁🏈 https://t.co/3PxNZI3Nbq
— Bob Dyce (@BobbyLADyce) November 3, 2018
Oh, and Calgary QB Adam Sinagra put up Adam Sinagra-like numbers with 368 pass yards and a trio of touchdowns in the win. Move along, nothing to see here.
Saskatchewan 31, UBC 28 (OT)
Full credit to the Saskatchewan Huskies: They found a way to force overtime with just 20 seconds left, then won a playoff game on the road once there. Despite being out-gained 551-300. Impressive.
It was a thrilling finish in BC as @skhuskies booked their ticket to the Hardy Cup final for the first time since 2009 🏆#HuskiePride #WinTheWest pic.twitter.com/MMOuGcWbsl
— Huskie Athletics (@HuskieAthletics) November 4, 2018
Congratulations to nine-time CFL All-Star Scott Flory, who is at the helm of the Hardy Cup-bound Huskies.