The U of M Bisons have kicked-off the 2024-25 season with mouthwatering and audacious displays after defeating the Saskatchewan Huskies 37-24 for the first time in five seasons. The Bisons football team, ranked 18 by U Sports in Canada, were boisterous to claim victory over the Huskies, ranked 11, at the Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31.

The first quarter was a major dominance for Bisons’ coach Brian Dobie and his charges as they finished with a 21-0 score.

In the second quarter, the Huskies showed glimpses of brilliance to pluck a 14-4 score.

For the third quarter, the herd rallied to relive their energy and power through a team play and ended with 10-1 score.

The Huskies kept control of the fourth quarter with a 9-2 score.

The Huskies failed to replicate last year’s comeback performance in which they rallied from 25-7 at the half to beat the Bisons 30-27.

Quarterback Jackson Tachinski and his teammates showed determination with enormous attack and incredible defense.

“We respect the hell out of Saskatchewan. They have had our number and we recognize that,” said coach Dobie in an interview to Bison Sports. “To our team overall, to all of us here, it’s kind of our measuring stick. Whether they’re the best team in the conference or the third best team, Saskatchewan has always been our measuring stick. Emotionally, it felt really good to beat them,” said Dobie.

Tachinski told Bison Sports, “I just think we were composed. There were times in the game where we were up, and there were times in the game where we didn’t really have momentum, but it didn’t really matter.”

“We just looked each other in the eyes and said we’ve got this. We’ve just got to keep pushing. I’m proud of the guys for not giving up and fighting throughout the game.”