Huskies use fourth-quarter comeback to keep slim playoff chances alive

REGINA – The Saskatchewan Huskies needed a late comeback to keep their slim playoff chances alive.

Quarterback Kyle Siemens threw for two touchdowns and 415 yards as the Huskies erased a 23-point deficit in the second half to come from behind and beat the Regina Rams 38-37 on Friday in Canadian Interuniversity Sport action.

Saskatchewan (3-5) needed a win combined with an Alberta (2-5) loss to Calgary (7-0) on Saturday in order to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in the West. Meanwhile, the Rams (0-8) will miss the post-season after finishing the year winless.

The Huskies trailed 34-11 late in the third quarter, but Siemens found Julan Lynch on an 11-yard TD pass as time expired, and then connected with Mitch Hillis for a 63-yard touchdown early in the fourth to bring Saskatchewan within 10 points.

Hillis finished the game with 171 receiving yards.

A 29-yard field goal from Daniel Scraper made it 37-24 Regina with 10:05 to play, but the Huskies responded with two rushing touchdowns — including one with 20 seconds remaining — to pull off the victory.

Andrew Lalonde scampered for a four-yard TD before Jarvis James took the ball in from the one-yard line.

James finished the game with 109 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Regina was led by running back Atlee Simon, who had 29 touches for 155 yards on the ground. QB Noah Picton threw for 315 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.