Sask captures bronze in comeback victory over Alberta

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Photo credit: James Hajjar

Saskatchewan defeated Alberta 22-9 to capture bronze on Sunday July 19 at the 2015 Football Canada Cup from Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu’s Alphonse-Desjardins Stadium in Quebec.

Both teams capitalized on mental mistakes and turnovers, leading to the majority of the game’s points.

First Alberta linebacker Joseph Dutton recovered a Sask fumble deep inside enemy territory. Alberta took advantage as kicker Desmond Catellier nailed a 17-yard field goal to give the wild rose province an early 3-0 lead.

The score remained unchanged until the dying minutes of the opening quarter when the game was delayed due to a lightning storm.

Coming out of the delay Saskatchewan was determined to tie the game before its midpoint. Starting at their own 40-yard line, Sask drove downfield to the Alberta 30. With zeros on the clock Alex Lenius drilled a field goal to tie the game 3-3.

Saskatchewan pulled ahead following a big break on their punt which was touched by an Alberta player and recovered at their opponent’s 16-yard line. With a short field, Sask took advantage as Kyle Borsa ran it in for the major to give the green and white a 10-3 lead.

Sask’s lead was extended 12-3 as Alberta conceded two points in the end zone.

Saskatchewan continued to roll offensively as a drive that began at their own 45-yard line culminated with a 2-yard Josh Ewaynchyna touchdown run to widen the green and white advantage 18-3 to end the third quarter.

With just under a minute to play in the final quarter, Alberta added a touchdown on a 15-yard Catellier quarterback keeper to narrow the Sask advantage 22-9. Alberta’s 2-point attempt was broken up by Logan Bitz.

Alberta was unable to recover the on-side kick attempt ending the comeback.

QUOTES:

On jumping out to an early lead, then watching Sask claw back

“It’s been kind of like that the last two games. We play well early but couldn’t take advantage of getting some major scores early; I thought we could have been up 14-0 but we were only up 3-0. Then the rain delay, both teams had to go through that. [After the delay] offensively we couldn’t get it together and our defence got a little tired out. They made some great plays in the second half that they did not make in the first. That’s really the story of the tournament for us.”

On the weather delay

“They had to do it and we had to do it too. I think it was just a matter of the momentum shifted right after that. They came out and got a field goal with a minute left before the half and the momentum shifted. We could just couldn’t get it back. Kudos to Saskatchewan.”

-Bryan Brandford, Alberta Head Coach

On Sask’s performance

“I’m really happy with the result. We’ve got a great group of resilient players who battled through this entire tournament. I’m really happy that they were able to walk away with a medal.”

On tieing the game heading into halftime

“That was a big break for us. Our players did a really great job of being able to focus during that time and understand that they still had some work to do during the other half of the game. We were looking for points at the end of the half to help us and carry momentum on we needed to win.”

On adjustments Sask made during the weather delay

“Our coordinators talked to the guys and we had a little bit more of an opportunity to shore some things up and tighten some areas that they might try to exploit a bit. I can’t say anything but great things about our staff. They had these guys prepared for every game out here and I think it’s a great group of coaches and I’m pleased to have them as my coaching staff.”

On the difference in today’s game

“I thought our guys were really physical today, they were all over Alberta. It was just a matter of us getting a few breaks which we did. This group of players is pretty special and we’ve done some great things throughout the tournament and I’m really happy for them.”

-Kyle Stroeder, Saskatchewan Head Coach

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