SASKATOONEXPRESS - June 4-10, 2018 - Page 6
Huskies quarterback learning from the best
Darren Steinke Saskatoon Express hen you have been a backup quarterback for two seasons for a Canadian university, you don’t expect to get invited to a CFL training camp. Mason Nyhus, who has been a reserve quarterback for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team, was floored when he was told by Huskies head coach Scott Flory there was an opportunity to attend training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nyhus gave the obvious answer: he wanted to go. He is attending Roughriders camp as part of the CFL’s Canadian quarterback internship program. The 20-year-old knows he will be returning to the Huskies for his second season of eligibility to play behind fifth-year starter Kyle Siemens. “I was a little surprised when I got the call,” said Nyhus, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 195 pounds. “I’m just here to learn and get better. “Ultimately, I am trying to push Kyle (Siemens) to be the best this year, and it will just make both of us better so coming out here is just a great thing for the Huskies.” Nyhus redshirted his first season with the Huskies. Coming off the bench last season, he completed 15 of 22 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He came to the Huskies as a highly-touted prospect from the Riffle High School Royals football team in Regina. Nyhus quarterbacked Saskatchewan to a bronze medal at the 2015 Football Canada Cup in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. Nyhus has followed the Roughriders closely. “It was cool growing up,” said Nyhus. “I remember watching those ’07 and ’13 Grey Cups with my family. “It was great growing up in that era with some championships coming in. Hopefully, they can bring some more here.” At Roughriders camp, Nyhus said he is learning a lot when it comes to schematics, pocket movement and reading defences. Nyhus has also enjoyed studying film with the veteran signal callers. “It is pretty sweet just picking their brain obviously about what they see and how fast they see it,” said Nyhus. “(They see) just little things like body leverage from defenders. “There is a lot of stuff that goes into it, so it is good to learn from the pros for sure.” In the short time Nyhus has been with the Roughriders, head coach and general manager Chris Jones has gained a good first impression of the Huskies pivot. “He has done a real nice job for us,” said Jones. “He’s got a little more bend than what you would anticipate. “He gets in position, and he is certainly not afraid of contact. He does a real nice job of attacking.” Brandon Bridge, who is the Roughriders’ veteran Canadian quarterback, has advocated for having more Canadians play quarterback in the CFL. He was impressed with Nyhus during the film study periods, noting the young pivot wasn’t overwhelmed by the information that came at him. CT060490 Carol
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Mason Nyhus has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. (Photo by Darren Steinke) “He (Nyhus) is a very smart kid,” said Bridge. “He obviously understands the playbook very well. “He obviously doesn’t get many reps or any reps at all. For him to actually go through the reads and actually seeing like where he is throwing the ball, it is clear to say that he actually understands what the coach is trying to teach us or tell us. “Now, it is just coming down to getting him some reps and actually letting him play. That is what it all comes down to.” Nyhus has spent a lot of time at Roughriders camp hanging around Bridge. “He is a really nice guy,” said Nyhus. “I like to pick his brain. He is super knowledgeable with the game, of course. It is cool learning from a Canadian quarterback that is playing in the CFL, so that is a really cool experience for sure.” Nyhus appreciates the fact that Bridge has advocated for more Canadians to play quarterback in the CFL and that Bridge has taken in a genuine interest in helping him become better. “It is really cool for someone to be pushing for us to make it to the league,” said Nyhus. “Ultimately, that is lots of (U Sports) quarterbacks’ goals is to get to the CFL. We all appreciate what he is doing.” Nyhus said going from the Huskies to the Roughrid-
ers is a big jump and similar to jumping from high school football with the Royals into university football with the Huskies. During his first camp with the Huskies, Nyhus turned heads with his strong play in a scrimmage game against the University of Alberta Golden Bears. He said he has improved a lot from that moment. “Back then, it was more you go and find the open guy and you just sling it,” said Nyhus. “Now, I am more comfortable in the system and I know my progressions and reads way better. “I think I’ve come a long way just learning the playbook really good and learning defences for sure.” He said it would be a dream to play for the Roughriders, but he is focused on using the four seasons of eligibility he still has with the Huskies and enjoying everything that comes with playing in the Canadian university ranks. “Growing up in Regina, of course, you watch Riders and cheer for them,” said Nyhus, who is a business student at the U of S. “That would ultimately be a great goal to go for. “Right now, it is just about winning a championship for U of S.” (You can see more of Darren Steinke’s work in his online blog stankssermon.blogspot.ca.)
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