Homecoming Weekend is always one of the biggest dates on the Saskatchewan Huskies calendar. This year, it also comes with a little extra motivation.
The defending Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl champions return to Griffiths Stadium on Friday night, looking to put their Week 1 loss to the Manitoba Bisons behind them when they host the Calgary Dinos.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the Rally Alley opening at 5 p.m. and offering food, games, family activities, a beer garden and pre-game entertainment featuring Saskatchewan country music artist Matt Johner. For Huskies fifth-year quarterback Anton Amundrud, there is no better place to be in Saskatoon on Homecoming Weekend.
"It's the best place to be in Saskatoon on that day," Amundrud told SportsCage.com. "Having all those fans out there, it's such a great feeling having the support of everyone, and there's no better feeling. When you make big plays, the crowd roars, and they always have your back. It's a big wind in your sails. It's the best atmosphere ever. It's awesome to play in."
That atmosphere could be particularly important for a Saskatchewan team eager to respond following a disappointing opening-week performance in Manitoba. Amundrud was blunt when assessing what went wrong.
"We as a collective, we didn't play our greatest football," he said. "There's every team's goodness in this league, and you can't just show up and expect to win every week. They were the better team that day."
The Week 1 road trip presented its own challenges. The Huskies endured an eight-hour bus ride to Winnipeg before playing in temperatures above 30 degrees. Amundrud said both teams dealt with cramping during the game, but he quickly pointed out that the conditions weren't an excuse.
"No excuses," he said. "It's just more of a long travel day and one that I think we just have to prepare ourselves better for."
Now the Huskies get to play in familiar surroundings and in front of what should be a large and enthusiastic Homecoming crowd. That could give Saskatchewan a significant advantage.
"When you have the crowd behind you, the other team, it kind of suffocates them," Amundrud explained. "It can deflate them and make them play a little more hesitant and a little more worried. But when you have it on your side, it makes you excited. It makes you want to make more plays, and it makes you feel more explosive. It's a huge momentum boost."
The Huskies will need that energy against a Calgary team that impressed in its season opener, defeating UBC. Amundrud believes the Dinos may be an overlooked team.
"They're a good team. They're coached very well," he said.
Calgary boasts a veteran-heavy defensive front, along with a younger secondary that impressed against the Thunderbirds.
"They're flying around. They're making plays. They're a pretty sparky group," Amundrud said. "They like to fly around and make plays, and they'll give us a good game."
The Dinos also have plenty of offensive weapons, including running back Matthieu Clarke and receiver Matt Sibley, while a strong line provides plenty of experience on defence.
"They've got the guys to do it," Amundrud said. "They're a really good team."
For the Huskies, meanwhile, this year's offence has taken on a slightly different look following the departures of key contributors Ryker Frank and Daniel Wiebe. But Amundrud isn't concerned about the group around him.
The Huskies have veteran leadership in receivers Rhett Vavra, Dawson Lennea and Tommy Jule, while Kayden Miller gets his opportunity after waiting behind Frank. There are also younger players, including rookie Keaton Belsher.
"We're a veteran group on offence and we know if we can put the pieces together here and be dialled, we'll be just fine," Amundrud said.
The key now is making sure the Huskies don't repeat Week 1's mistakes.
"That first week was not to our standard, and we know that," Amundrud said. "We just got to learn from it. We can't let that happen again."
Saskatchewan also enters the season as the defending Canada West champion. That means every opponent has an opportunity to knock off the team at the top. For Amundrud, that's not pressure. It's motivation.
"It is inspiring," he said. "At the end of the day, they have to play us. We have to be us and be the team we know we are to our standard."
The Huskies also have plenty of unfinished business after their 2025 season ended with a Vanier Cup appearance. Amundrud admitted the team is carrying a chip on its shoulder.
"I think we all do, especially from how last week went and how our season last year ended," he said. "I think we all have that chip on our shoulder. We've got to understand that every week is a new week."
Another intriguing element in the Huskies' offence is former quarterback Mason Nyhus, now the team's assistant coach and offensive coordinator. Amundrud played with Nyhus for three seasons, and now has the opportunity to learn from him in a different capacity.
"I always can go there during the day and go watch film with him, talk football, talk life," Amundrud said. “He's been there and done that. He's one of the greatest Husky quarterbacks of all time."
Amundrud said Nyhus brings one of the smartest football minds he's encountered to the coaching staff.
"Having that resource is super helpful for me and the whole offence," he said.
And now, after a long off-season, a difficult Week 1 and plenty of preparation, Amundrud and the Huskies are ready to welcome Husky Nation back to Griffiths Stadium.
His message to the fans is simple.
"Friday we're going to have a lot of fun," Amundrud said. "Be there, be loud, and it's going to be a really fun one. I can't wait to get going this Friday."
Homecoming Weekend isn't just about one football game. It's a celebration of Huskie pride, bringing together alumni, students, fans and the Saskatoon community. And on Friday night, the Huskies have an opportunity to give all of them something to cheer about.
Also on campus this weekend, the men’s soccer team takes on MacEwan at noon on Friday. The women’s soccer team plays Manitoba on Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m.
For tickets, schedules, and complete event information, visit huskies.usask.ca.
