Huskers in the CFL: Yoshi Gets In the Playoffs!

Playoff time is looming in Canada, and we know at least a couple of former Huskers will be involved in the CFL’s second season.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with a win Saturday over the B.C. Lions, improved to 11-4-0 on the season and in the process officially claimed a spot in the CFL’s slightly-quirky playoff picture. With teams in the CFL having anywhere from one to three games remaining (yes, even the scheduling is a bit off-kilter up here), there remains just one spot for the six-team post-season.

On to the wrap-up of another week north of the border.

Winnipeg 26, B.C. 20

At Winnipeg, Former Husker Jermarcus Hardrick has started 25 straight games for the Bombers dating back to September of last year, and became the latest Husker on a team guaranteed a playoff berth.

Hardrick (playing right tackle) and the offensive line blocked for a Blue Bomber rushing attack that amassed 60 yards on 21 carries, totals that pale to some of the gaudy numbers the Bombers have put up in previous weeks. The line also surrendered two sacks.

The Blue Bombers, with three games remaining, sit in second place in the West Division, four points clear of third-place Edmonton yet trailing first-place Calgary by five points. A second-place finish would earn them a hosting date for the West Division semifinal (first place gets a bye), which would be played Nov. 12. A win or an Edmonton loss this weekend would all but solidify that coveted home playoff game.

Calgary 28, Hamilton 25

At Hamilton, former Husker Ciante Evans had a game-high seven tackles and added his fourth interception of the season – a career high – as the Stampeders won their 11^th straight game. Evans picked off former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in the second quarter and helped set the Stamps up for an eventual field goal.

Evans also surpassed his previous high for tackles in a season of 42 and now has 46 through 15 games. Evans is tied for the team lead in interceptions with teammate Shaquille Richardson, and is second on the team in tackles.

Ottawa 33, Saskatchewan 32

At Regina, former Husker Jonathan Rose notched his second interception of the season and had two tackles for the Redblacks, who maintained a slim one-point edge over Toronto for first place in the East Division. Ottawa, however, has just one game remaining on its schedule, while Toronto has two.

Rose’s two INT’s are a career high after playing 16 games as a rookie last year in the nation’s capital.

Ottawa (7-9-1) has clinched a playoff spot.

Elsewhere…

Former Husker Josh Mitchell remains on the injured list for the Toronto Argonauts. The Argos extended his stint on the IR a few weeks back and he is now slated to come off it Nov. 18 with the first chance to return to practice being Nov. 5. Mitchell injured his knee in the season opener and has been sidelined since.