University of Manitoba Bisons (5-3, 1-0)

vs.

University of Calgary Dinos (8-0, 1-0)

Canada West Final: Saturday, November 9, 2013

The #9 Manitoba Bisons football team continue their pursuit of a championship after a thrilling 37-36 home playoff win over the #10 Saskatchewan Huskies in the 2013 Canada West Semi-Final on Friday, November 1. Manitoba (5-3, 1-0) now travels on the road against the #3 Calgary Dinos (8-0, 1-0) in the Canada West Final (77th Hardy Cup) playoff game on Saturday, November 9 with kickoff at 3 p.m. CT. This is the first time Manitoba has reached the conference final since their 2007 Vanier Cup Championship season.

The Bisons finished 5-3 the 2013 conference regular season. They opened the new season with a 65-41 home win over Alberta in front of a boisterous crowd on August 30 and then in week two, lost a heartbreaker at home by a 36-34 result to then #8 Saskatchewan Huskies on September 7. After a historic comeback from a 17 point deficit with less than six minutes left, the Manitoba Bisons football team won a 36-32 victory at UBC on Saturday, September 14 in week three. In week four, the Bisons suffered a 48-24 road loss at #5 Calgary on Friday, September 20. Back at home during week five, Manitoba prevailed 34-15 over Regina On Saturday, September 28. In week six before the conference bye, Manitoba lost 28-24 to UBC at home on Saturday, October 5. After the conference bye, the Herd rebounded with a crucial 33-26 road win at then #7 Saskatchewan in week seven on October 18. On Saturday, October 26 in week eight, Manitoba finished the regular season with a 60-18 road win at winless Alberta Golden Bears. In the 2013 conference playoffs, Manitoba survived a thrilling, come-from-behind 37-36 home win over #10 Saskatchewan on Friday, November 1 for the first ever playoff victory at Investors Group Field during the Canada West Semi-Final.

For the Dinos, they captured their first ever 8-0 perfect season on the field results in the 2013 Canada West season. In week one, they started with a 41-31 road win at UBC on Aug. 31; then 34-26 road win at UBC on Sept. 6 in week two and then beat #7 Saskatchewan 36-24 at home on Sept. 14 in week three. In week four, they beat Manitoba by a 48-24 result at home on Sept. 20. In the second half, Calgary rattled four more wins with 76-21 score over Alberta on the road (Sept. 28); 24-12 at Sask. in week six (Oct. 4); 46-27 at home vs. Regina (Oct. 18) and 34-17 at home vs. UBC to end the season (Oct. 25). In the Canada West Semi-Final, the Dinos won 42-28 at home over UBC (Nov. 2).

This is the second meeting of this season between the teams as Manitoba lost 48-24 at Calgary on September 20. The Dinos hold a ten game winning streak over the Bisons and the last time Manitoba defeated Calgary was in the 2007 Vanier Cup season when they won in the conference semi-final plus the last time the Bisons won on the road at Calgary was in 2005 (Sept. 10/05: Manitoba 28-27).

In addition, since records kept in 1968, Manitoba has never won a road playoff football game (0-5 overall) – not including Vanier Cup appearances. The Bisons hold an overall playoff record versus the Dinos of 2-2 with the last playoff meeting in 2012 when Calgary won 57-18 at Calgary in the conference semi-final (Nov. 3).

At stake in the playoff game is advancing to the CIS Semi-Final (Mitchell Bowl) next weekend. The winner of the Hardy Cup game will host the Mitchell Bowl versus the OUA champion (either #4 Queen's or #1 Western) on Saturday, November 16 at 3 p.m. CT.

The Bisons are on a roll as they have won the last two games of the regular season plus one playoff game heading into the 77th Hardy Cup. In the Bisons second half of the 2013 season, they went 3-1 (in first half the squad was 2-2). They reversed last season when the team started 3-1 but finished 1-3 in the second half of 2012 campaign.

At the start of the 2013 season, there were seven of 12 starters on the offence and seven of the 12 starters on defence return to the Bison squad. Positions that will have new Bison starters include quarterback, receiver, punter, linebacker and safety. This is the first year were there are no remaining players on this year's edition that were part of the 2007 Vanier team. 

For the second playoff game of 2013, the Manitoba Bisons line-up has three player changes from the 24 starters in the first playoff game against Saskatchewan. On offence, Dustin Pedersen moves into the wide receiver starter position. On defence, Mitchell Harrison now at SAM linebacker and Cam Teschuk at cornerback spot. 

There has been 16 Bison starters that have been in the starting lineup for all eight conference regular season games and one playoff game so far this season. They are on offence (6): OL Alex McKay, OL Rob Smith, SB Andrew Smith, RB/KR Anthony Coombs, QB Jordan Yantz and SB/KR Nic Demski. On defence (9): DL Lauren Kroeker, DL David Onyemata, DL Ranji Atwall, DL Evan Gill, LB Bami Adewale, LB Thomas Miles, DB Brett MacFarlane, S Tyler Fong and DB Cam Teschuk. Plus, on special teams (1), P/K Nick Boyd.

Every player on the Bison 45 playoff roster lineup has dressed for the Bisons this season. Bison players making the roster in nine of ten games this season include: DB Tremaine Apperley, FB Andrew Barry and LB Tyler Lee. There is whopping 34 players for the Herd who have made the Bison roster for all nine games so far this season.

In game one vs. Alberta, Manitoba had 15 CIS rookies (QB Jordan Yantz – starter, DB Connor Lesperance – starter, LB Jonathan Jones, S Tyler Fong – starter, DB Jordan Linnen, LB DJ Lalama, LB Andrew Johnston, DL Tyler Lee, OL Robert Smith – starter, OL Geoff Gray, OL Matt Hallock, WR Matt Sawyer – starter, SB Rhys Hansen, WR Dustin Pedersen, DL Kent Hicks) out of the 50 person road roster. Of those 15, five were starters.

Starting Bison QB Jordan Yantz makes his tenth ever CIS start in his fourth year of eligibility. In his first ever CIS start in week one vs. Alberta, Yantz went 14-19 for 215 yards with four touchdowns and one interception; in week two vs. Saskatchewan, the Regina native was 25-41 (tied for fifth most completions and tied for fourth most attempts in a game for a Bison in team history) and 374 passing yards (ninth most in team history) with 2 TDs while also rushing for 55 yards on seven carries. In week three, he passed for 322 yards on 23-44 with 3 TDs and ran for five yards. At Calgary in week four, Yantz went 25-47 for a whopping 450 passing yards (set a new team record) with 3 TDs and 1 INT and had one run for 19 yards in the loss. In week five, the Regina native went 9-17 for 185 passing yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT along with tied for top rusher in game with 97 rushing yards on 10 carries in Regina win. In week six, Yantz went 14-30 for 194 passing yards and 1 TD plus rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries in UBC road loss. In week seven, Yantz was named Canada West Football Offence Player of the Week. The first year Bison (fourth eligibility), went 18-32 for a 364 passing yards with 4 TDs and 1 INT and also added 50 rushing yards on seven carries. In the final regular season game at Alberta in week eight, Yantz finished first in CIS passing yards for the 2013 season after going 17-22 for 370 passing yards with 5 TDs and 1 INT plus added 51 rushing yards on seven carries. In his first ever CIS playoff start, Yantz was 23-36 for 371 passing yards and 4 TDs and 2 INTs along with top game rusher with 98 yards on ten carries.

Manitoba has won ten Hardy Cup – Canada West Championship (previous winners in: 1923, 1924, 1927, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 2001, 2007).

Kickoff will occur at 3 p.m. CT and the game can be seen live on SHAW TV and on the web at: canadawest.tv 

Points of Interest

In the regular season, Manitoba scored 310 points (second most in Canada West) and allowed 244 points (fourth most in Canada West) in eight games this season plus they scored 39 touchdowns in 2013.  The Bisons scored 37 points and 5 more touchdowns in the first playoff game in 2013.

Individually, Manitoba has scored 39 regular season touchdowns this season (Anthony Coombs – 11; Nic Demski – 7; Andrew Smith – 4; Andrew Barry – 2; Matt Hallock – 2; Bryden Bone – 2; Kienan LaFrance – 2; DJ Lalama – 2; Matt Sawyer – 2; Alex Christie – 2; Tyler Fong – 1; Dustin Pedersen – 1; Alex Vitt – 1). In the playoffs, the Herd has scored five more TDs (Nic Demski – 3; Anthony Coombs – 1; Andrew Smith – 1)

In Canada West all-purpose yards, Coombs led the conference with 1,696 (1,015 – rush; 509 – receiving; 139 – punt return; 33 – kick return) for an average of 212.0 per game and followed in sixth place by Demski at 1,030 (640 – receiving; 186 – punt return; 129 – rush; 185 – kick return; 76 – kickoff return) and Andrew Smith is third on team and eighth in Canada West with 692 (604 – receiving; 84 – kick return; 4 – rush) .

RB Anthony Coombs now has 29 total touchdowns in his third year playing at Manitoba and he is now second most in team history and his 16 rushing TDs are fifth most in team history. Coombs scored at least 1 TD in six of eight regular season games in 2013 (week 1: 3 TDs; week 2: 2 TDs; week 3: 1 TD; week four: 2 TDs; week six: 1 TD; week eight: 2 TDs) and one TD in week one of the playoffs.

SB Nic Demski scored at least 1 TD in five of the eight regular season games in the 2013 campaign (week 1: 1 TD; week 2: 1 TD; week 3: 2 TDs; week 7: 1 TD; week 8: 2 TDs) and three TDs in week one of the playoffs. He had three straight games of 100+ receiving yards ended in Regina win in week five. 

In week four at Calgary, Yantz had 450 passing yards in one game and is now the most ever by a Manitoba Bisons player, surpassing the previous mark set by Shane Munson of 446 (Sept. 6/02 at Calgary). Plus in team history, his 25 attempts were tied for fifth highest and 47 attempts were third highest overall.

In Canada West defence, the Bisons were led by LB Bami Adewale in third in 2013 Canada West regular season stats with 46.0 total tackles and LB Thomas Miles is ninth at 41.0.

On special teams, Bisons kicker Nick Boyd handles both the place kicking and punting duties (first season he has dual responsibilities with Manitoba). The fifth year kicker notched 65 points (fourth highest in conference among kickers) on 37-37 converts and 9-13 on field goals plus added an impressive and second in conference with 42.0 punting average on 64 punts. In the playoffs, Boyd was 1-1 in FGs and 39.4 punting average.

Also in Canada West regular season stats, Coombs was second in rushing with 1,015 yards and second with 11 overall TDs. Demski was tied for third with seven overall TDs. Yantz was first with 2,474 passing yards and eighth with 396 rushing yards, In receiving yards, Demski was second with 640 while Smith was sixth with 604. Coombs, Demski were third (11.6) and eighth (7.4) in punt return avg.

On defence in Canada West regular season stats, DL Evan Gill was tied for seventh with 3.0 sacks while DL Lauren Kroeker was tied for 11th with 2.5 sacks. 

In conference, Gill tied for second with 7.5 tackles for losses and Bison DL David Onyemata and Kroeker were tied for tenth with 5.5 TFL and LB Bami Adewale is tied for 13th (5.0). DB Tremaine Apperley is tied for second with six break-ups while S Tyler Fong is third with three interceptions while DB Connor Lesperance and DB Cam Teschuk is tied for third with two picks. MacFarlane, Gill, FB Andrew Barry and SB Alex Vitt have one forced fumble. Adewale and LB DJ Lalama are tied for third in conference with two fumble recoveries. In addition, Barry and Gill have one blocked kick each.

In the tenth and final CIS Top 10 football poll of 2013, defending Vanier Cup champion Laval is still at number two while Western is first for the fifth consecutive week this season in the poll. Canada West teams occupy three spots as Calgary stays at third and Saskatchewan stays at number ten. Manitoba is into Top 10 this week and stays at number nine. The Herd has been ranked in eight polls so far this season with the highest position at eight (week 3).

In 2012, Manitoba finished last season in fourth place with a 4-4 regular season record and did play in the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2007 Vanier Cup Championship. The Herd lost to Calgary in the 2012 Canada West Semi-Final. Calgary went 7-1 in 2012 and won their five consecutive conference championship over Regina (Nov. 10: W 38-14 at Cgy.) but lost in the Mitchell Bowl (CIS Semi-Final) to McMaster on the road by a 45-6 score.

Manitoba best quarter for scoring was the second with 89 points (4th: 83; 3rd: 70; 1st: 68) while for the opposition the best scoring quarter on Manitoba has been the second with 84 points (3rd: 63; 4th: 60; 1st: 37). In the playoffs, Manitoba best quarter so far is 4th: 20; 2nd: 17 and zero in 1st and 3rd while the opposition scored most in the 3^rd: 17; then 4^th: 14; 1^st: 3; 2^nd: 2.

Canada West football results so far in 2013:

Date Place of game Result

PLAYOFFS:

Nov 02, 2013   Calgary, AB    Calgary 42, UBC 28  

Nov 01, 2013   Winnipeg, MB    Manitoba 37, Saskatchewan 36    

REGULAR SEASON:

Oct 26, 2013   Edmonton, AB    Manitoba 60, Alberta 18    

Oct 26, 2013   Regina, SK    Saskatchewan 33, Regina 15  

Oct 25, 2013   Calgary, AB    Calgary 34, UBC 17   

Oct 19, 2013   Vancouver, BC    UBC 60, Alberta 0   

Oct 18, 2013   Saskatoon, SK    Manitoba 33, Saskatchewan 26   

Oct 18, 2013   Calgary, AB    Calgary 46, Regina 27   

Oct 05, 2013   Winnipeg, MB    UBC 28, Manitoba 24   

Oct 05, 2013   Regina, SK    Regina 25, Alberta 20   

Oct 04, 2013   Saskatoon, SK    Calgary 24, Saskatchewan 12   

Sep 28, 2013   Edmonton, AB    Calgary 76, Alberta 21   

Sep 28, 2013   Vancouver, BC    Saskatchewan 17, UBC 12   

Sep 28, 2013   Winnipeg, MB    Manitoba 34, Regina 15   

Sep 21, 2013   Regina, SK    UBC 37, Regina 27   

Sep 20, 2013   Saskatoon, SK    Saskatchewan 39, Alberta 17   

Sep 20, 2013   Calgary, AB    Calgary 48, Manitoba 24   

Sep 14, 2013   Edmonton, AB    Regina 55, Alberta 35  

Sep 14, 2013   Calgary, AB    Calgary 36, Saskatchewan 24  

Sep 14, 2013   Vancouver, BC    Manitoba 36, UBC 32    

Sep 07, 2013   Edmonton, AB    UBC 39, Alberta 36   

Sep 07, 2013   Winnipeg, MB    Saskatchewan 36, Manitoba 34   

Sep 06, 2013  Regina, SK   Calgary 34, Regina 27  

Aug 31, 2013  Vancouver, BC   Calgary 41, UBC 31  

Aug 30, 2013  Saskatoon, SK   Saskatchewan 40, Regina 33  

Aug 30, 2013  Winnipeg, MB   Manitoba 65, Alberta 41  

In the first game of the season, the Bisons set numerous team records during the 65-41 win including most points scored in a half (46 in first half), most points scored in a quarter (32 in second), third most overall points in a game (65), second most rushing yards in a game (400) and second most offence yards in a game (628).

In the first game of the season for Manitoba vs. Alberta, the Bisons had 31 first downs, 400 net rushing yards, 228 net yard passing with 628 total offence yards plus four receiving TDs and three rushing TDs. While on defence, the Herd had two sacks, one interception for a touchdown with two fumble recoveries. While, Alberta had 618 total offence yards (272 – rush; 352 pass).

In the second game of the season for Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan, the Bisons had 27 first downs, 135 net rushing yards, 403 net yard passing with 527 total offence yards plus two receiving TDs and two rushing TDs. While on defence, the Herd had four sacks, zero interception with three break-ups. Sask. had 457 total offence yards (139 – rush; 339 pass) plus 24 first downs. 

In the heartbreaking 36-34 loss at home to Sask. in game two, Manitoba leading stat performances were also: Coombs added 85 rush yards on 10 carries and 2 TDs plus five receptions for 117 yards. Demski was top receiver with ten catches for 105 yards and 1 TD while Smith registered seven grabs for 132 receiving yards. On defence, LB Bami Adewale had 5.5 tackles with two sacks and DJ Lalama had 5.0 tackles and DB David Ferrier with 4.5 tackles and one break-up.

In week three on the road at UBC, the Bisons rallied from a 17 point deficit with only 5:46 left in the game and defeated the UBC Thunderbirds in a 36-32 road win on Saturday, September 14 at Thunderbirds Stadium. Manitoba scored the winning TD with 1:01 on the clock in the fourth and scored three consecutive touchdowns in the final quarter on drives of nine plays, 91 yards in only 2:47; 10 plays, 76 yards in two minutes and the final TD took only three plays, 53 yards in a quick 24 seconds. In the UBC road win, the Herd scored four TDs: slotback Nic Demski with 2 receiving, running back Anthony Coombs with 1 receiving and Andrew Barry added 1 rush. Coombs contributed on the ground with 20 attempts for 140 yards and added four catches for 35 yards. Demski registered 10 receptions for 152 yards while Andrew Smith also had five grabs for 84 yards. Nick Boyd was 2-2 in FGs and 46 yard punt average.

 

In week four on the road at Calgary, Manitoba generated 580 yards in offence with 30 first downs plus had 20 penalties for 181 yards. The team was led on offence by Coombs with 2 receiving TDs and a combined 235 yards (22-120 rush yards; 6-115 receiving) plus Nic Demski had 5-103 receiving yards along with Yantz 25-47 for 450 yards (a new Bison record) and 3 TDs and 1 INT. On defence, Bami Adewale had 8.5 tackles with one fumble recovery while Thomas Miles added 7.0 tackles (two for losses) and one sack and one forced fumble. The Bisons gave up a whopping 678 yards on offence (second most in team history only to Calgary racking up 776 last season in regular season 78-54 win) and 32 first downs.

In week five at home vs. Regina, Manitoba had 27 and Regina finished with 25 first downs while the Rams had 344 total offence yards to the Bisons' 306 in tough field conditions. The big stat was the combined penalties for both teams. The orange flag was thrown a whopping 44 times for 435 yards and Manitoba set a team record in a single game with 235 penalty yards on 22 infractions. Yantz went 9-17 for 134 passing yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT along with tying RB Anthony Coombs for top rusher with 97 yards. Smith had three catches for 107 yards and 1 TD as top receiver. DB Tremaine Apperley and LB Thomas Miles were tops with 7.5 total tackles and LB Bami Adewale contributed 6.5 tackles while Connor Lesperance had two interceptions for 45 return yards.

In week six at home against UBC, Manitoba had 23 and the Thunderbirds with 24 first downs while UBC accumulated 468 total offence yards to the Bisons' 353 in brisk fall-like conditions. In addition, Manitoba was flagged for 13 for 100 penalty yards while UBC had 7-65 and the T-Birds had the time of possession with 32:40 to 27:20. For the home side, QB Jordan Yantz went 14-30 for 194 passing yards and 1 TD plus rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries. Coombs had 87 rushing yards on 15 attempts plus added 36 receiving yards and 1 TD on three grabs. SB Andrew Smith hauled in four balls for 60 yards and kicker Nick Boyd was 1-2 in FGs and 42.7 punting average. On defence, Bami Adewale had a game-high 7.5 total tackles with one forced fumble while DL Lauren Kroeker added 6.5 tackles. LB Riley Wiggett had 5.5 tackles and one sack and Lalama added 5.5 tackles with one fumble recovery for a TD.

In week seven on the road versus Saskatchewan, the final game stats had Yantz at 18-32 for 364 yards and 4 TDs (tied for his most as a Bison) and 1 INT. Coombs was 88 yards rushing on 16 carries while Yantz added 50 rush yards on seven attempts. SB Andrew Smith had five catches on 90 receiving yards while Sawyer had 89 yards on three grabs and 1 TD and Demski ended up 55 yards on three catches and 1 TD. On defence, safety Tyler Fong added 10.0 total tackles while DL David Onyemata had 6.0 tackles and 1 sack. On special teams, kicker Nick Boyd went 1-1 in field goals and an impressive 40.4 punt average with six kicks inside the 20. Demski also registered 68 punt return yards. In team stats, Manitoba generated 27 first downs with 547 offence yards. 

In the final game of the 2013 Canada West conference season in week at Alberta, Anthony Coombs broke the Canada West record for longest rush when he took a hand-off deep in his own territory and burned across the Foote Field turf for a 107-yard touchdown run. The previous conference high was set in 1979 by Alberta's Sean Kehoe, who rushed for 102 yards, while the CIS record is 108 yards, which has been done twice (1967 and 2004). The two teams, who earlier in the season combined to produce the third highest scoring game in Canada West history with a 65-41 game in Winnipeg, this time produced a whopping 1,751 all-purpose yards. Receiver Nic Demski caught a pair of touchdown passes for Manitoba, while Coombs and Alex Christie rushed for a combined 286 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan Yantz, the 2012 CJFL Offensive Player of the Year, completed 17 of 22 passes for 370 yards and five touchdowns. As a team, the Bisons racked up 790 yards of offence on 70 plays, and added an additional 99 yards on special teams to finish the night with 898 all-purpose yards. Manitoba score eight touchdowns in the 60-18 road win.

In the playoff win in the Canada West Semi-Final at home versus Saskatchewan, both teams registered over 1,100 yards combined in offence. Saskatchewan piled up 622 total offence yards with 502 passing and 124 rushing while Manitoba had 499 yards (371 – passing; 146 – rush). The visitors lead 30-26 in first downs while Saskatchewan had 12 penalties for 110 yards while Manitoba was nine for 84 penalty yards. On offence for the Bisons, Yantz was 23-36 for 371 passing yards and 4 TDs and 2 INTs along with top game rusher with 98 yards on ten carries. Demski had seven receptions for 115 yards and 3 TDs followed by Andrew Smith with four grabs for 95 yards and 1 TD. Anthony Coombs was a double threat with seven catches for 67 yards and added 48 rushing yards on 13 carries with 1 TD. Matt Sawyer also had 4-70 in receiving. Nick Boyd was 1-1 in FGs and 39.4 punting average. For the Bisons, David Onyemata notched a game-high 7.5 tackles with 0.5 sack and Bami Adewale with 7.5 tackles and David Ferrier with Cam Teschuk with 5.5 tackles each. Tremaine Apperley accumulated three break-ups and one interception in the victory.

In week one, Bisons third year kick running back/returner Anthony Coombs was selected as Canada West Special Teams Football Athlete of the Week for the week ending September 1/12. Manitoba Bisons running back/kick returner Anthony Coombs started the 2013 season right where he left off after another CIS All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star performance last season. He finished the season home opener with 223 rushing yards on only 16 carries (a whopping 13.9 average) with 2 rush TDs of 84 and 62 yards. Coombs added another 37 yard receiving touchdown while only playing in three quarters during the 65-41 home victory over the Alberta Golden Bears on Friday, August 30 in the Bisons first-ever football game at the new stadium – Investors Group Field. This is the first time that a Manitoba Bisons football player has earned conference player of the week honours in 2013. 

In the fifth week of the 2013 Canada West football regular season, Manitoba Bisons first year defensive back Connor Lesperance was selected as Canada West Defence Football Athlete of the Week for the week ending September 29/13. Manitoba Bisons defensive back Connor Lesperance made an immediate impact despite not starting the game as he had two key interceptions (for 45 interception return yards) against the conference leader in pass offence. The rookie defensive back came off the bench after starter Jordan Linnen was ejected for the game midway through the second quarter and thrust into a starting role. With Regina trying to get back into the contest at the end of the third, Lespernace had his first interception as the Rams were deep in Bison territory and made a toe-tap catch on the sidelines on a tipped ball to end the threat. On the second interception, Regina had narrowed the lead to 12 points early in the fourth and he picked off the ball off and had a 45 yard return. 

In the seventh week of the 2013 Canada West football regular season, Manitoba Bisons fourth year eligibility (first year as a Bison) quarterback Jordan Yantz was selected as Canada West Offence Football Athlete of the Week for the week ending October 20/13. In a crucial road game, the Manitoba Bisons Football team (4-3) went into #7 Saskatchewan Huskies (4-3) and defeated them at Saskatoon for the first time since the 2006 season with a 33-26 win on Friday, October 18. With the win, Manitoba clinched a playoff spot and now has a chance to host a playoff game. Yantz went 18-32 for a 364 passing yards with 4 TDs and 1 INT and also added 50 rushing yards on seven carries.

In the eighth and final week of the 2013 Canada West football regular season, Manitoba Bisons third year kick running back/returner Anthony Coombs was selected as Canada West Offence Football Athlete of the Week for the week ending October 27/13. This is the second time this season that Coombs has been selected for a conference weekly honour. Coombs had a record breaking game as the #9 Manitoba Bisons football team clinched second place in the final regular season game of the 2013 season with a 60-18 win at Alberta on Saturday, October 26. Coombs was spectacular by rushing for 175 yards on only 13 carries (13.5 avg.) along with a Canada West record 107 TD run plus added another 122 receiving yards on five catches (24.4 avg.) with 1 TD in only 2.5 half quarters. 

In the first week of the 2013 Canada West football playoff season, Manitoba Bisons third year kick running back/returner Nic Demski was selected as CIS and Canada West Offence Football Athlete of the Week for the week ending November 3/13. Demski, a third-year arts student from Winnipeg, was honoured on offence thanks to his three fourth-quarter touchdown catches in a come-from-behind 37-36 Canada West semifinal win over visiting Saskatchewan, last Friday. The 6-foot speedster, who finished the contest with 115 yards on seven receptions, caught a 39-yard TD pass from quarterback Jordan Yantz four early in the final frame to make it 29-24 Saskatchewan, scored from 13-yard out with five minutes left on the clock to once again bring Manitoba to within five, at 36-31, and then hauled in a 32-yard pass with 1:23 remaining for the game-winning major. 

This is the fifth time that a Manitoba Bisons football player has earned conference player of the week honours in 2013 (week one and week eight: Anthony Coombs – offence; week five: Connor Lesperance – defence; week seven: Jordan Yantz – offence). This is the first time that a Manitoba Bisons football player has earned CIS player of the week honours in 2013.

In 2013 conference regular season final stats, Manitoba was second in scoring offence (38.8 points per game) while Cgy. was first (42.4). On scoring defence, the Dinos were first (22.9) and the Bisons were fourth with 30.5. On total offence, Manitoba was second with 546.1 yards per game while Calgary was first at 549.8. On total defence, Cgy. was fourth (448.2 yards per game) and Manitoba was fifth (481.8).

In other 2013 conference regular season final stats, Manitoba was second in rushing offence at 226.5 yards per game while Cgy. was first (232.2). In rushing defence, the Bisons were third (151.6) while the Dinos was first (127.6). In pass offence, the Bisons were second (319.6 yards per game) while Cgy. was third (317.5).  In pass defence, Manitoba was fifth at 330.1 and Calgary was fourth at 320.6.

In Canada West regular season penalties, Manitoba was fifth with 103 for 124.2 yards per game while Cgy. was last with 100 and 124.5 per game. In time of possession, the Bisons were first at 32:19 while Cgy. was second at 31:02.

In conference regular season sacks, Manitoba is tied for third with 14 while Cgy. was fifth at 11. In sacks allowed, Manitoba was tied for fourth with 16 while Calgary was second at 13.

In conference first downs in the regular season, Manitoba was second at 29.1 per game and Cgy. was first at 31.1. In red zone offence, the Bisons were second at 85.2% with 23-27 with Manitoba scoring 19 TDs and the Dinos led at 90.5% at 38-42 with 26 TDs. In red zone defence, the Dinos were second at 80.0% (20-25) and 14 TDs allowed while the Bisons were third at 81.5% (22-27) and 13 TDs allowed. In turnover margin, Manitoba was fourth at -3 while Cgy. was first at +9. Lastly, on three down conversions, Manitoba was second at 68.8% (11/16) while Cgy. was third at 59.1% (13/22).

During the first playoff game in 2013, the Bisons allowed nine plays of 20+ yards with one rush (2nd: 24 yards) and eight plays of passing (in the 3rd: 33, 61 [TD], 29, 27, 51; 4th: 50 [TD], 46, 22).

In the 2013 regular season, Manitoba has given up 20+ yard plays – game 1: six times with three rush (40, 29, 23 [TD]) and three pass (39 [TD], 20, 30 [TD]; game 2: eight times with three rush (46 [TD], 30, 21) and five pass (23 [TD], 68 [TD], 48, 23, 34); game 3: four times with two rush (61, 21 [TD]) and two pass (54, 30); game 4: ten times with two rush (32 [TD], 25) and eight pass (91 [TD], 29, 56 [TD], 37, 34, 20, 23, 45); game 5: zero times; game 6: six times with one rush (22) and five pass (58, 40, 27 [TD], 26, 21); game 7: eight times with two rush (44, 50) and six pass (32, 22, 37, 21, 65, 34); game 8: five times with one rush (30) and four pass (40, 26, 63, 34). Overall during the eight conference regular season games this year, Manitoba has allowed 20+ yard plays – 47 times (14 rush and 33 pass) with 11 TDs.

During the first playoff game in 2013, the Bisons registered eight plays of 20+ yards with two rush (1st: 20 yards; 2nd: 41) and six plays of passing (in the 2nd: 24, 29 [TD]; 3rd: 30; 4th: 46, 39 [TD], 32 [TD]). 

In the 2013 regular season, Manitoba has accumulated 20+ yard plays – game 1: eight times with four rush (62, 23, 84 [TD], 62 [TD]) and four pass (32, 26, 37 [TD], 22); game 2: 11 times with two rush (21, 54 [TD]) and nine pass (21, 22, 22, 32, 29, 24, 23, 66, 27); game 3: six times with one rush (33) and five pass (20, 23, 27, 22, 28 [TD]); game 4: 12 times with three rush (37, 45, 22) and nine pass (24, 32, 29, 24, 21 [TD], 47, 22, 44, 22); game 5: seven times with four rush (39, 27, 24, 22) and three pass (20, 89 [TD], 26 [TD]); game 6: five times with one rush (41) and five pass (28, 21, 24, 20); game 7: 12 times with two rush (24, 24) and ten pass (25, 21 [TD], 22, 29, 23, 25, 27 [TD], 41 [TD], 27, 28 [TD]); game 8: 12 times with three rush (107 [TD], 33, 34 [TD]) and nine pass (30, 26, 38 [TD], 60 [TD], 28, 22 [TD], 22, 26, 25). Overall during the eight conference regular season games this year, Manitoba has notched 20+ plays – 73 times (20 rush and 53 pass) with 17 TDs.

The Bisons were recognized with five players named to 2013 Canada West Conference All-Star Team. On offence, third year Anthony Coombs was selected at the running back position, fourth year (first year Bison) Jordan Yantz at the quarterback position, third year Alex McKay at tackle position and third year Nic Demski at inside receiver position. On defence, third year Evan Gill was named at interior lineman position. Both Coombs and Demski earned their third consecutive conference selection. This is the first time Bison football players have been named in three straight seasons since Pete Adams (2009-11) and first Bison offence players since Dominic Zagari (1993-95). McKay, Yantz and Gill all earned their first conference all-star selection.

BISON FOOTBALL PLAYERS CLOSE TO TEAM CAREER MILESTONES

• - Head coach Brian Dobie (1996-present) coached his 144th conference regular season game at Manitoba (75-66-1-1) plus 161st overall game (playoffs record: 10-7)
• - Both kicker Nick Boyd (2011-13) and Anthony Coombs (2011-13) moved up the Bison career points total standings. Boyd is in now fourth with 194 points, ahead of seventh place Matt Henry ('06-10: 162) and just past fifth place Scott Dixon (2007-09: 190) while Coombs is in sixth place with 172 points.
• - Coombs is second in Bison total touchdowns with 29 as he past third place Matt Henry ('06-10: 27) plus he is now fifth in rushing yards as a Bison with 2,218, just passing sixth place Ken Vermette (199-2001: 2,073)
• - Coombs is second in rush average at 7.5 (first is Chris Hardy '95-96 with a 9.8)
• - Coombs is now fifth place, and ahead of tie for sixth place Karim Lowen ('05-07: 14) and Gerry Urbanovich ('82-86: 14), with 17 rushing touchdowns; only one away from fourth place (Dennis Hrycaiko '68-71: 18); two away from third place (Brett Watt '90-94: 19)
• - Boyd is fourth in field goals made at 32 and fifth in FG attempts with 49, passing fifth place (Peter Scouras '05-07: 43) 
• - Boyd is first in converts at 90 (second place is Jamie Boreham '01-03: 72)
• - Nic Demski (2011-13) is first for most kickoff returns for touchdowns with two.
• - Demski is fourth in kickoff return yards at 884, passing fifth (Nigel Scott '81-85: 864) and 59 yards back of third (David Courtemanche '91-93: 943) plus he is first in kickoff return average at 25.3
• - In TD receptions, Coombs is past ninth place Jeff Strome (2002-05, 07: 9) and tied for fourth now with 11 - tied with Cory Larsen '(96-00:11); Keith Nielsen '(88-92: 11); Andrew Sharp ('99-03:11). Demski is tied for eighth with ten with Terry Fach ('80-84: 10) 
• - Lauren Kroeker (2010-13) is now 11th in total tackles, passing 12th spot (Jim Jeavons '05-09: 112.0), for a Bison with 129.0 and past 13th place (Scott Coe '98-01: 111) and 3.0 away for tie for ninth place (Terry Staroba '95-98: 132 and Jeff Alamolhoda '03-07: 132) 
• - Kroeker is now 11th with 12.5 sacks and past 12th spot (Everton Black '07-10: 11) and 0.5 away from tenth (Simon Patrick '03-07: 13)
• - Kroeker is now fourth in sack yards with 68 and seven yards away from third place (Everton Black '07-10: 75)
• - David Ferrier (2010-13) is now 17th in total tackles for a Bison with 98.0 and 1.0 back of 16th place (Everton Black '07-10: 99.0) and 3.0 away for 15th place (Chad Vath '95-98: 101)
• - Andrew Barry (2011-13) is tied for first with three blocked kicks (Jason Rauhaus '90-91 and Mike Howard '03-07)
• - David Ferrier (2009-13) is now third spot in defensive break-ups with 14 and past fourth place (Bob Reist '03-07) and only five away from second spot (Pete Adams '08-11: 19)

Key Stats – BISON FTB History vs. Calgary last 18 seasons

(Regular season: Bisons 10-17; Bisons at home vs. Dinos: 6-7; Bisons on road vs. Dinos: 4-10; Playoffs: 2-1)

November 9, 2013 (CW Final)

Calgary vs. Manitoba TBD at Calgary

September 20, 2013

Calgary 48 Manitoba 24 at Calgary

November 3, 2012 (CW Semi-Final)

Calgary 57 Manitoba 18 at Manitoba 

October 27, 2012

Calgary 78 Manitoba 54 at Calgary

September 15, 2012

Calgary 33 Manitoba 12 at Manitoba

October 22, 2011

Calgary 41 Manitoba 24 at Calgary

September 3, 2011

Calgary 35 Manitoba 31 at Manitoba

September 25, 2010

Calgary 26 Manitoba 25 at Manitoba

October 10, 2009

Calgary 35 Manitoba 24 at Calgary

October 18, 2008

Calgary 25 Manitoba 18 at Manitoba

September 6, 2008

Calgary 37 Manitoba 17 at Calgary

November 3, 2007 (CW Semi-Final)

Manitoba 27 Calgary 5 at Manitoba

September 15, 2007

Manitoba 35 Calgary 28 at Manitoba

September 16, 2006

Manitoba 33 Calgary 10 at Manitoba

October 21, 2005

Manitoba 28 Calgary 27 at Calgary

September 10, 2005

Manitoba 51 Calgary 10 at Manitoba

September 18, 2004

Calgary 27 Manitoba 13 at Calgary

September 12, 2003

Calgary 17 Manitoba 13 at Calgary

October 19, 2002

Manitoba 38 Calgary 2 at Manitoba

September 6, 2002

Manitoba 37 Calgary 34 at Calgary

November 4, 2001 (CW Semi-Final)

Manitoba 31 Calgary 10 at Manitoba

October 26, 2001

Manitoba 34 Calgary 0 at Calgary

September 15, 2001

Manitoba 49 Calgary 6 at Manitoba

September 22, 2000

Calgary 34 Manitoba 31 at Calgary

October 23, 1999

Manitoba 27 Calgary 22 at Calgary

September 11, 1999

Manitoba 32 Calgary 11 at Manitoba

October 10, 1998

Calgary 63 Manitoba 20 at Manitoba

September 5, 1998

Calgary 59 Manitoba 14 at Calgary

October 18, 1997

Calgary 52 Manitoba 23 at Manitoba

September 12, 1997

Calgary 41 Manitoba 21 at Calgary

October 4, 1996

Calgary 39 Manitoba 18 at Calgary

August 31, 1996

Calgary 21 Manitoba 20 at Manitoba