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Game Day Notes For Bisons Football Versus UBC

Road game on Sat., Sept. 14

Game Day Football Notes
University of Manitoba Bisons (1-1)
vs.
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (1-1)
Saturday, September 14, 2013
 
The Manitoba Bisons football team leaves the friendly confines of their new stadium – Investors Group Field – on the U of Manitoba Fort Garry campus and embarks on the first road trip of the 2013 Canada West season. They will play at the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday, September 14 at 4 p.m. CT held at Thunderbird Stadium.
 
The Bisons 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. UBC lost in week one at home to defending Canada West champion Calgary Dinos by a 41-31 score but bounced back with a 39-36 (OT) thriller on the road at the Alberta Golden Bears after rallying from a 27 point deficit.
 
In the 2013 Canada West football standings, five-time and defending Canada West champion and now #5 ranked in latest CIS poll Calgary and now #6 ranked Saskatchewan lead with perfect 2-0 records and then Manitoba and UBC are tied for third with 1-1 and Alberta and Regina are tied for fifth at 0-2 heading into week three action.
 
Last season, Manitoba won the conference regular season series against UBC (Manitoba won 31-24 at UBC on Sept. 1/12; Bisons won 37-31 at home on Oct. 20/12) and overall during Brian Dobie's 17 year tenure has produced a 15-11 conference regular season overall record versus the T-Birds and on the road are 9-5 in the regular season.
 
This will be the first of two meetings this season between the two teams as they meet again at Manitoba on Saturday, October 5 with a 1 p.m. CT kickoff.
 
In the 2013 season, there are 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 that there are no remaining players on this year's edition that were part of the 2007 Vanier team.
 
The Bisons are looking match their start of the last two seasons (2011, 12) when they began the season with a 2-1 record. Manitoba does not play a conference regular season game on the road until week three in the 2013 season.
 
For game three of 2012, the Manitoba Bisons line-up only has a couple of changes from the 24 starters in game two at home against Saskatchewan. Andrew Barry returns to the fullback position while Geoff Gary starts on the offensive line at the guard position.
 
In addition, every player on the 42 person road lineup for Manitoba has been dressed for at least one game during the 2013 campaign. Bison players making the roster in two of three games this season include:  DB Tremaine Apperley and FB Andrew Barry and a whopping 40 players for the Herd on the roster for all three games to start 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 third 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.
 
 
Kickoff will occur at 4 p.m. CT and the game can be seen live on the web at: canadawest.tv
 
Points of Interest
Manitoba has now scored 99 points and allowed 77 points in two games this season plus they have now scored 12 touchdowns in 2013.
 
Jordan Yantz threw for 374 yards which was the ninth highest in team history while his 25 completions was tied for fifth most along with his 41 attempts tied for fourth best in Bison history RB Anthony Coombs now has 23 total touchdowns in his third year playing at Manitoba and he is now tied for third most in team history and his 16 rushing TDs is fifth most in team history.
 
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 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.
 
Canada West football results so far in 2013:
Date                            Place of game             Result
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 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 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).
 
Individually, Manitoba has scored 12 touchdowns (Coombs – 5; Andrew Smith – 2; Nic Demski – 2;  Kienan LaFrance – 1; Tyler Fong – 1; Matt Hallock – 1).
 
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 Lalalma had 5.0 tackles and DB David Ferrier with 4.5 tackles and one break-up.
 
In Canada West all-purpose yards, Coombs leads conference with 473 (308 – rush; 154 – receiving; 11 – punt return) followed in tenth place by Demski at 247 (59 – rush; 133 – receiving; 53 – kick return; 2 – punt return).
 
In Canada West defence, the Bisons were led by DB Brett MacFarlane with 13.0 total tackles in tie for eighth spot in conference, then LB Bami Adewale stands tenth with 12.5 total tackles and LB DJ Lalama with 10.5 tackles (tied for 13th in Canada West).
 
On special teams, Bisons kicker Nick Boyd now handles both the place kicking and punting duties (first season he has dual responsibilities with Manitoba). The fifth year kicker  has notched 22 points (second highest in conference) on 12-12 converts and 3-4 on field goals plus added an impressive and conference-leading 47.4 punting average on 18 punts in game one.
 
Also in Canada West stats, Coombs is second in rushing with 308 yards plus first in all-purpose yards at 473 and tied for first with five TDs, Yantz is fourth with 589 passing yards, In receiving yards, SB Andrew Smith is sixth with 172; Coombs in seventh at 154 and Demski is ninth with 133. Boyd is second in kick scoring with 22 points, WR/KR Matt Sawyer is fourth with 53 punt return yards. In sacks, LB Bami Adewale is tied for first with two while tied for second with Bison DL David Onyemata by registering 3.5 tackles for losses. S Tyler Fong is tied for second with one interception plus MacFarlane and SB Alex Vitt have one forced fumble.
 
In the second CIS Top 10 football poll of 2013, defending Vanier Cup champion Laval is still number one while Canada West teams occupy three spots as Calgary is fifth and Saskatchewan moves to number six. Manitoba is now eighth after being ninth ranked in week two and started the 2013 season in week one in the tenth position.
 
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. UBC did not make the playoffs in 2012 as he they finished fifth with a 2-6 record.
 
The five-time defending Canada West Hardy Cup football champion University of Calgary Dinos were the majority choice among conference coaches to repeat in 2013 pre-season poll. The complete voting results, based on a 10-7-5-3-1 system (first-place votes in parentheses):
1. Calgary                 47 (4)
2. Saskatchewan    38 (1)
3. Manitoba              32 (1)
4. *Regina               17
5. UBC                      17
6. Alberta                    5
*received more higher-place votes than UBC
 
Both teams played one pre-season game in 2013. Manitoba lost 30-25 at Regina (Oct. 23) while UBC lost at Saskatchewan by 28-5 score (Aug. 23)
 
In early 2013 conference regular season stats, Manitoba is first in scoring offence (49.5 points per game) while UBC is fifth (35.0). On scoring defence, both the T-Birds and Bisons are tied for fourth (38.5). On total offence, Manitoba was first (583.0 yards per game) while the Thunderbirds are third (509.5). On total defence, UBC is fourth (500.5 yards per game) and Manitoba is fifth (551.0).
 
In early 2012 conference regular season stats, UBC is first in rushing offence at 305.0 yards per game while Manitoba is second (267.5). In rushing defence, UBC is third (164.5) while Manitoba is fifth (205.5). In pass offence, the Bisons are third (315.5 yards per game) while the T-Birds is sixth.  In pass defence, UBC is also fourth at 336.0 and Manitoba is fifth at 345.5.
 
In Canada West penalties, Manitoba is third with 19 for 80.0 yards per game while UBC is fifth with 24 and 114.5. In time of possession, the Thunderbirds are third at 29:45 while the Bisons are fourth at 28:53.
 
In conference sacks, Manitoba is second with six while UBC was third at four. In sacks allowed, UBC is first at one and Manitoba is second at two. In conference first downs, Manitoba is second at 29.0 per game and UBC is third at 28.5. In red zone offence, the Bisons are tied for first at 100% with 8-8 with Manitoba scoring 7 TDs and UBC in fourth at 87.5% with 5 TDs. In red zone defence, Manitoba is first at 60.0% (2-3) and 2 TDs allowed while UBC is tied for third at 100% (8-8) and 7 TDs allowed. In turnover margin, Manitoba is fourth at Even while UBC is sixth at -2.
 
 
BISON FOOTBALL PLAYERS CLOSE TO TEAM CAREER MILESTONES
  • Head coach Brian Dobie (1996-) is coaching his 138th conference regular season game at Manitoba (71-64-1-1) plus 154th overall game (playoffs record: 9-7)
  • Both kicker Nick Boyd (2011-13) and Anthony Coombs (2011-13) are moving up the Bison career points total standings. Boyd is in seventh with 151 points and only eight points back of sixth place Les Oakes ('77-79: 159) while Coombs is now in eighth place and just past tenth place (Dennis Hrycaiko '68-71: 128) and ninth place (Mike Faisthuber '99-03: 138).
  • Coombs is tied for third in Bison total touchdowns with 23 (tied with Faisthuber: 23) and four back of second (Matt Henry '06-10: 27) plus he is eighth in rushing yards as a Bison with 1,511 and 213 yards away from seventh (Larry Santin '81-85: 1724)
  • Coombs is second in rush average at 7.9 (first is Chris Hardy '95-96 with a 9.8)
  • Coombs is now fifth place and now ahead of Karim Lowen ('05-07: 14) and Gerry Urbanovich ('82-86: 14) at sixth with 14 rushing touchdowns and only two away from fourth (Hrycaiko: 18)
  • Boyd is fourth in field goals made at 26 and fifth in FG attempts with 40 and only three back of fourth (Peter Scouras '-5-07: 43)
  • Boyd is third in converts at 65 and past third place (Scouras: 62) and seven back of first place (Jamie Boreham '01-03: 72)
  • Nic Demski (2011-13) is first for most kickoff returns for touchdowns with two.
  • Demski is fifth in kickoff return yards at 861 and only three away from fourth (Nigel Scott '81-85: 864) and 82 yards back of third (David Courtemanche '91-93: 943) plus he is first in kickoff return average at 26.1
  • Lauren Kroeker (2010-13) is 14th in total tackles for a Bison with 106.5 and 0.5 back of 13th (Adam Hindley '09-12: 107.0) and 4.5 back of 12th (Scott Coe '98-01: 111) and 5.5 away for 11th (Jim Jeavons '05-09: 112.0)
  • Kroeker is now 11th with 11.5 sacks and past 12th spot (Everton Black '07-10: 11) and 1.5 away from tenth (Simon Patrick '03-07: 13)
  • Kroeker is now fourth in sack yards with 62 and 13 yards away from third place (Everton Black '07-10: 75)
  • Andrew Barry (2011-13) is tied for second with two blocked kicks and one away from first place tie (Jason Rauhaus '90-91 and Mike Howard '03-07)
  • David Ferrier (2009-13) is now third spot in defensive break-ups with 14 and just 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. UBC last 17 seasons
(Regular season: Bisons 15-11; Bisons at home vs. UBC: 6-6; Bisons on the road vs. UBC: 9-5)

September 14, 2013          
Manitoba vs. UBC TBD at UBC
 
October 20, 2012          
Manitoba 37 UBC 31 at Manitoba
 
September 1, 2012          
Manitoba 31 UBC 24 at UBC
 
September 24, 2011
* Manitoba 1 UBC 0 at UBC
(*UBC forfeits win due to ineligible player)
- The original score was UBC 29-23
 
October 30, 2010          
Manitoba 35 UBC 25 at Manitoba
 
September 18, 2010          
Manitoba 40 UBC 17 at UBC
 
October 23, 2009          
Manitoba 25 UBC 17 at UBC
 
September 19, 2009          
*UBC 1 Manitoba 0 at Manitoba
(*Manitoba forfeits win due to ineligible player)
- The original score was Manitoba 36-10
 
September 13, 2008          
UBC 28 Manitoba 0 at Manitoba
 
October 13, 2007           
Manitoba 26 UBC 14 at Manitoba
 
September 8, 2007          
Manitoba 21 UBC 12 at UBC
 
October 27, 2006          
Manitoba 43 UBC 20 at UBC
 
September 16, 2005          
Manitoba 35 UBC 6 at UBC
 
October 15, 2004
UBC 41 Manitoba 22 at UBC
 
September 4, 2004
UBC 18 Manitoba 11 at Manitoba
 
October 25, 2003          
Manitoba 25 UBC 23 at Manitoba
 
September 14, 2002
Manitoba 29 UBC 13 at Manitoba
 
September 28, 2001
Manitoba 23 UBC 0 at UBC
 
October 13, 2000
Manitoba 33 UBC 23 at UBC
 
September 2, 2000
Manitoba 35 UBC 27 at Manitoba
 
October 8, 1999 
UBC 30 Manitoba 12 at UBC
 
October 23, 1998
UBC 53 Manitoba 14 at UBC
 
September 19, 1998
UBC 33 Manitoba 15 at Manitoba
 
October 31, 1997 
UBC 27 Manitoba 6 at UBC
 
September 27, 1997
UBC 32 Manitoba 0 at Manitoba
 
November 2, 1996
UBC 24 Manitoba 20 at Manitoba
 
September 28, 1996
UBC 17 Manitoba 14 at UBC
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