FB: SSK duo, versatile ALB quarterback play difference-makers in week three
Alberta's Hetlinger, Saskatchewan's Wiebe and Solie named Players of the Week
CALGARY – Saskatchewan's Nick Wiebe and David Solie are being honoured by the conference after stellar performances that helped the Huskies take down their provincial rival and remain perfect on the season. Joining Wiebe (the CW Defensive Player of the Week) and Solie (the CW Special Teams Player of the Week) is Alberta's Eli Hetlinger, whose standout passing and rushing pushed the Bears to their second win of the season. Hetlinger is the conference's Offensive Player of the Week.
The Golden Bears' quarterback showed off from the pocket early, placing perfect throws between the hands of the Calgary defence to march the Bears down the field.
Shortly after, he showed off his running game with a 36-yard run, his longest of six on the night. Then, at the one-yard line, the rookie called his own number to run the ball through to put the Bears up by 9 in the second quarter.
Hetlinger kept pushing, launching two touchdown passes, first a 65-yard delivery to receiver Kolby Hurford, then a 19-yard dagger to Chevy Thomas.
He notched 348 yards on the night, going 24 for 33 in the Bears' 34-23 victory over the Calgary Dinos.
Hetlinger and the Golden Bears will be back in action Friday when they host the 3-0 Saskatchewan Huskies at 7 p.m. You can catch all the action on SaskTel maxTV and maxTV stream, TELUS Optik TV or Canada West TV.
Meanwhile, Nick Wiebe had his eye on perfection over in Regina. The Saskatchewan Huskie linebacker posted seven tackles (6 solo) to boost the Huskies up over the Rams in week three action.
In what was truly a battle of the defences, Wiebe was able to reel the then unbeaten Rams in as his team held them to just 10 points. Every play was essential in the 11-10 affair.
Wiebe made a game-changing play in the third, climbing the ladder to deflect a pass down the middle, so the Huskies could pick it off and grab possession. That play led to a Huskies score and their first lead of the game. The Rams battled back, but Wiebe and the Huskies didn't allow them much, setting themselves up for a game-winning kick in the final moments.
The Huskies (3-0) will be back in action Friday when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Alberta Golden Bears (2-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff. You can catch all the action on SaskTel maxTV and maxTV stream, TELUS Optik TV or Canada West TV.
Leading the charge for the Huskies' scoring was David Solie, whose three field goals gifted his team a win when they couldn't find a touchdown on the night.
Solie put the Huskies on the board with a 19-yard shot in the first quarter. He followed that up with a successful 38-yard attempt in the third to give the Huskies their first lead of the night.
Then, with everything on the line in the dying moments of the fourth, Solie sailed one through the uprights to win the game for Saskatchewan. Solie played the hero to keep the Huskies perfect on the season.
He was also responsible for nine punts for 348 yards, four of those within 20. His two kickoffs averaged 51 yards each in a solid all-around outing for the fifth-year kicker.
The Huskies (3-0) will be back in action Friday when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Alberta Golden Bears (2-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff. You can catch all the action on SaskTel maxTV and maxTV stream, TELUS Optik TV or Canada West TV.
