FCC2018 RECAP: Saskatchewan wins gold after dramatic finish against host Alberta

After the disappointment last year of losing the gold medal with close to 18 seconds left in the game, Saskatchewan made sure that this time, the same fate would not happen in Calgary, Alberta at the 2018 Football Canada Cup.

In an exciting and dramatic game, Saskatchewan got past host Alberta 31-26 to win gold at Shouldice Athletic Park.

Alberta got on the scoreboard first just 53 seconds into the game when Matthew Peterson sprinted into the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown score.

However, Saskatchewan responded when quarterback Keegan Kaytor connected with Mason Novik for a 35-yard touchdown pass to tie things up in the first quarter.

Alberta would pull ahead when Jonathan Giustini added a field goal. Saskatchewan followed suit when Emmett Steadman added a 25 yard field goal in the second quarter.

Before the end of the 1^st half, Giustini would boot another successful field goal.  This one was an 11-yard attempt.

At halftime, Alberta held a 13-10 advantage over Saskatchewan.

Only 39 seconds into the second half, Kaytor found Kieran Poissant for a 71-yard major to give Saskatchewan the lead.

Alberta took over the lead when Adley Mayala returned the punt for a 90 yard touchdown.  Soon after, Lucas Robertson tallied a major to increase Alberta’s advantage.

Kaytor connects with Poissant once again for a 75 yard touchdown score to pull Saskatchewan within one point.

Saskatchewan would take over the lead when Isaac Birdsell-Tyndale adds a five-yard rushing major. That score sealed the victory and gave Saskatchewan the gold medal.

Offensive Players of the Game were Poissant (Saskatchewan) and Robertson (Alberta).  Defensive Players of the Game were Ramsey Derbas (Saskatchewan) and Daniel Flanagan (Alberta).

Tournament MVPs were Saskatchewan’s Kaytor (Offence) and Derbas (Defence) as well as Alberta’s Mayala (Special Teams).

“It was a hard fought game,” commented Saskatchewan Head Coach Jeff Stusek after the win.  “One of the keys that we paid attention to all week was when bad things happen, adversity happens, we needed to find a way to respond and we found a way to respond. “

“It feels good.  Last year, we were on our way to victory and it just got taken away from us.  When you win something like this, you remember it forever.  I know I will and I know our players will.”

Despite the disappointment of losing the gold medal game in front of the hometown crowd, Alberta gave props to Saskatchewan.

“Hats off to Saskatchewan,” Alberta Head Coach Chris Morris expressed.  “They’re a very good team.”

“Our kids played very well but they made more plays than we did and they were a very tough team.”

Post-game Interview with Chris Morris 

Post-game Interview with Jeff Stusek 

This post is also available in: French