Queen's Football's strong second half comeback attempt fell short as the Saskatchewan Huskies held on for a 22-11 win in the Mitchell Bowl.

With the loss, Queen's Football's season ends in the national semifinals.

Queen's found themselves in a 14-1 hole at half time before battling to within five points early in the fourth quarter, but couldn't complete the comeback as Saskatchewan held on for the 11-point win.

"I think ultimately the difference was our execution," said Queen's Football Head Coach Steve Snyder after the game. "Credit to Saskatchewan, they certainly are a fantastic team and well-deserving of the victory. I think we could have executed a little bit better. There were some things there, certainly in the passing game that we were able to take advantage of through the game plan. At times we were able to get them, and we left a lot on the field as well, and I think that was a big difference." 

Receiver Logan Walton (Economics) and linebacker Justin Pace (Economics) were named Players of the Game for Queen's.

After Queen's opened the game with a rouge on the opening kickoff, Saskatchewan would score two touchdowns in the first half – one a 41-yard reception and the second a 85-yard punt return – to put Queen's in a two-score hole at half time.

Quarterback Alex Vreeken (Kinesiology) orchestrated a strong drive out of half time, capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cedric Smith (Arts & Science). The score cut the Huskies' lead to one-score.

"I thought our guys did a really good job responding, and that drive to start the second half was great for our team, brought us right back into the game."

After surrendering a safety later in the quarter, Queen's would march down the field again, this drive capped by a 13-yard field goal by Tyler Mullan (Arts & Science) to cut Saskatchewan's lead to 16-11.

The Huskies would respond with a 54-yard field goal to restore their eight-point lead before adding another field goal late in the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 11 points, a lead which they held to the final whistle.

Vreeken finished the game 30-53 for 388 yards and a touchdown. Walton was Queen's top receiver with six receptions for 113 yards while Nathan Falconi )Health Studies) finished with six receptions for 82 yards and Smith had six receptions for 78 yards and a score.

Running back Jared Chisari (Graduate Studies) finished the game with eight carries for 70 yards.

It was another strong outing for Queen's defence, which surrendered just 13 points in the loss. 

Pace led the way for Queen's with 7.5 tackles (five solo and five assisted) and an interception. Defensive back Keegan Vanek (Arts & Science) also had an interception for Queen's, to go along with 3.5 tackles (two solo, three assisted). Queen's defence also had four pass breakups, while holding Huskies quarterback Jake Farrell to just 149 yards through the air.

Linebacker DJ Ryan (Health Studies) also had a strong showing for Queen's with 4.5 tackles (four solo, one assisted) while Tristan Burrell (Arts & Science) and Oliver Jackson (Film & Media) recorded tackles for loss.

Queen's Football ends the 2025 season with an overall record of 8-4. Queen's finished the regular season fourth in the OUA with a 5-3 record before playoff wins over the McMaster Marauders and Windsor Lancers and a Yates Cup victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks.

"Ultimately we just fell short today, but really proud of our team; a tremendous group of guys that have overcome a lot of adversity throughout the season. They are Yates Cup champions and they represented the university and the community really well."

With the victory, the Huskies advanced to the Vanier Cup where they will take on the Montreal Carabins.