Dinos’ ‘pro’ offence running over Canada West opposition

CALGARY – The Saskatchewan Huskies are next in line to try and slow down the University of Calgary’s juggernaut offence.

The number one ranked Dinos (4-0) have outscored the opposition by a combined 96 points over the last two games, for a total of 152 points.

It’s the kind of production new offensive coordinator Ryan Sheahan imagined possible when he came to Calgary this summer from Queen’s University.

“I saw on paper the talent that was here. They’ve had great success in the past, getting close to the national championship,” said Sheahan. “I thought, maybe I could come just help be one of the key factors helping push them over the edge.”

2014 Hec Crighton winner Andrew Buckley was named the CIS offensive player of the week for the second consecutive week. Buckley threw for 478 yards and four touchdowns, a majority of it coming in the first half. The fifth-year kinesiology student has yet to throw an interception this season.

“Knock on wood for the no interceptions,” said a smiling Sheahan.

Buckley, in his final year of CIS eligibility, is demonstrating week-in and week-out why the Calgary Stampeders selected him with the final pick of the 2015 CFL Canadian Draft.

“You might as well say it as it is: we have a pro quarterback playing here in the CIS,” said Sheahan.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You might as well say it as it is: we have a pro quarterback playing here in the CIS," said Sheahan.

“Andrew is a great quarterback, a CFL calibre quarterback. It’s amazing being able to play with him,” said receiver Rashaun Simonise, who has caught four touchdowns passes in the last two games. “He puts the ball in places where DBs aren’t, so it makes it a lot easier for us.”

Which is one of the main reasons the Dinos are able to run a professional-style offence.

“We have a CFL playbook so it’s kind of the best of both worlds,” said Sheahan. We operate in the pro facility (McMahon Stadium), we use a pro playbook and we get the ball up the field, and our running game and offensive line, it’s all like a CFL team here.”

Buckley, meanwhile, is quick to deflect the praise on the rest of his offence.

“It’s awesome right now. All the guys we’re getting the ball to are just being weapons with it,” said Buckley.

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“Receiving down field are getting yards after catch, the o-line is giving me tremendous time in the pocket and our young running backs are stepping up.”

The Huskies (2-2), boast the second best defence in the conference, averaging just less than 30 points per game.

At the midway point of the season, they’re lumped into a logjam for second place, where four teams are tied with two wins.

The Dinos and Huskies play back-to-back games. They’ll meet in Saskatoon on Oct. 16, after the Thanksgiving bye week.