The Bisons football squad (8-0; 4-0 playoffs) capped a perfect season at the 41st annual 2007 Desjardins Vanier Cup at Rogers Centre in Toronto. After completing a perfect 8-0 regular season and winning three playoff games, the Bisons completed the season with a CIS National Championship by beating #4 Saint Mary's Huskies by a score of 28 to 14 in front of a crowd of 26,787.
The #3 ranked Bisons have etched their name in the CIS record book as they ended the 2007 season with a perfect 12-0 record. The last team to end a CIS football season undefeated was Laurier (12-0) in 2005.
In addition, the Bison capture the Vanier Cup for the first time since the back-to-back Championship teams in 1970 and 1969. The Herd is the first Canada West team to hold the Vanier Cup since Saskatchewan in 1998 (24-17 over Concordia).
Manitoba won four consecutive playoff games to earn their first CIS title in 37 years. Last week, the Herd won 52-20 over Western Ontario Mustangs in the Mitchell Bowl at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg. Two weeks ago, Manitoba won 48-5 over the Regina Rams at Canad Inns Stadium in the Canada West Final (Hardy Cup). Three weeks ago, Manitoba prevailed 27-5 versus Calgary in the Canada West Semi-Final at Canad Inns Stadium.
Manitoba improves their Cup overall record to 3-1 with all three CIS titles won in Toronto (first two at Varsity Stadium). This is the 38th CIS Championship by a Manitoba Bisons team and the first in five seasons (Men's Volleyball: 2002-03).
The Manitoba Bisons ended their 37 year drought between CIS Football National Championships (the previous titles: 1970, 1969).
For the CIS National Championship game, fifth year defensive back Mike Howard won the Ted Morris award for most outstanding defensive player, while fourth year quarterback John Makie took home the Bruce Coulter award for most outstanding offensive player.
For Manitoba, Makie went 16-31 passing for 1 TD and 261 yards, and ran in 1 TD. Terry Firr was the top receiver with four catches for 82 yards; Randy Simmons had four grabs for 48 yards; and Steve Gronick had 63 yards and 1 TD on three receptions. Karim Lowen rushed 88 yards on 19 carries and Matt Henry had 42 yards on three carries before leaving at the end of the first. Scott Dixon had four field goals (4-5), which tied for the third most in Vanier Cup history. On defence, Jeff Alamolhoda led the way with 6.5 tackles, Bob Reist and Simon Patrick had five tackles each while Mike Howard had three interceptions (one for a return of 42 yards) and three tackles. The Bisons recorded four sacks (Justin Shaw with two, Simon Patrick and Justin Cooper with one each).
The Bisons did not score on their first drive of the game in each of the twelve games this season (eight conference games plus four playoffs games). Manitoba allowed the opposition to score on their first drive in only their third game of the season (Regina scored on first drive on Oct. 20 and Regina scored on first drive on Nov. 10). In the second quarter, the Bisons outscored Saint Mary's 7-1 -- over the four playoff games they outscored their opponents by a 70-1 margin in second quarter action. The Bisons are now 21-1 over the last two seasons and Makie has started every game. This was the seventh most points scored in a playoff game by Manitoba in team history. Manitoba won four consecutive playoff games for the first time in team history.
