University of Manitoba Bisons (2-1)

vs.

University of Calgary Dinos (3-0)

Friday, September 20, 2013

The #8 Manitoba Bisons football team continues to be away from the friendly confines of their new stadium – Investors Group Field – on the U of Manitoba Fort Garry campus as they travel on their second road trip of the 2013 Canada West season. They will play against #5 Calgary Dinos on Friday, September 20 at 7 p.m. CT held at McMahon Stadium (live TV on SHAW TV Manitoba).

The Bisons is now 2-1 in the young 2013 conference season as 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. 

Calgary has gone 3-3 in the win column with a 41-31 road win at UBC on Aug. 31 in week one; 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.

This is a game is a battle for first place in the 2013 Canada West football standings as five-time and defending Canada West champion Calgary is first and followed by a tie for second place with Manitoba and Saskatchewan at 2-1. Regina and UBC are tied for fourth at 1-2 and Alberta in last with a 0-3 record.

Last season, Calgary won all three games against Manitoba in 2012 with two conference regular season wins and one playoff contest (Sept. 15/12: Calgary 33-12 at Manitoba; Oct. 27/12: Calgary 78-54 at Calgary; Nov. 3/12: Calgary 57-18 at Cgy. – playoffs). During Brian Dobie's 17 year tenure, the Bisons have produced a 10-16 conference regular season overall record versus the Dinos and on the road is 4-9 in the regular season. 

The last time Manitoba defeated Calgary was in the 2007 Vanier Cup season (nine overall game winning streak for Calgary) when they won in the conference semi-final and the last time the Bisons won on the road at Calgary was in 2005 (Sept. 10/05: Manitoba 28-27).

This is the lone conference regular season meeting this season between the two teams.

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. 

The Bisons are looking to match their start of the last season (2012) when they began the season with a 3-1 record. Manitoba started the season with two home games and now play two road games in-a-row.

For game four of 2013, the Manitoba Bisons line-up only has a one change from the 24 starters in game three on the road against the UBC Thunderbirds. Dustin Pedersen sees his first start at wide receiver position. 

There has been 21 Bison starters that have been in the starting lineup for all four conference regular season games so far this season. They are on offence (8): WR Akeeno Williams, OL Alex McKay, OL Tyler Fabbri, OL Rob Smith, SB Andrew Smith, RB/KR Anthony Coombs, QB Jordan Yantz and SB/KR Nic Demski. On defence (11): DL Lauren Kroeker, DL David Onyemata, DL Ranji Atwall, DL Evan Gill, LB Bami Adewale, LB Thomas Miles, LB Riley Wiggett, DB David Ferrier, DB Brett MacFarlane, S Tyler Fong, DB Connor Lesperance and DB Cam Teschuk. Plus, on special teams (1), P/K Nick Boyd.

In addition, every player – minus LB James Mau who dresses for his first game as a Bison this season – on the 42 person road lineup for Manitoba for the game at Calgary has dressed for at least one game during the 2013 campaign. Bison players making the roster in three of four games this season include: DB Tremaine Apperley, FB Andrew Barry and LB Tyler Lee. There is a whopping 39 players for the Herd on the roster for all four 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 fourth 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.

Kickoff will occur at 7 p.m. CT and the game can be seen live on SHAW TV Manitoba plus on the web at: canadawest.tv

Points of Interest

Manitoba has now scored 135 points (most in Canada West) and allowed 109 points in three games this season plus they have now scored 16 touchdowns in 2013.

Jordan Yantz had 44 attempts at UBC in week three and was third highest in Bison history while Nic Demski has now gone back-to-back games with ten receptions each, which is tied for the fourth most in a game by a Bison.

RB Anthony Coombs now has 24 total touchdowns in his third year playing at Manitoba and he is now third most in team history and his 16 rushing TDs are fifth most in team history.

Both Coombs and Demski have scored at least 1 TD in all three games so far in the 2013 campaign.

Individually, Manitoba has scored 16 touchdowns so far this season (Coombs – 6; Nic Demski – 4; Andrew Smith – 2; Andrew Barry – 1; Kienan LaFrance – 1; Tyler Fong – 1; Matt Hallock – 1).

In Canada West all-purpose yards, Coombs leads the conference with 699 (448 – rush; 189 – receiving; 62 – punt return) followed in seventh place by Demski at 415 (285 – receiving; 70 – rush; 53 – kick return; 7 – punt return).

In Canada West defence, the Bisons are led by DB Brett MacFarlane with 15.5 total tackles in 14th spot in conference, and then LB Bami Adewale stands 15th with 15.0 total tackles and DB David Ferrier with 14.0 tackles (tied for 18th 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 32 points (third highest in conference among kickers) on 16-16 converts and 5-6 on field goals plus added an impressive and conference-leading 47.0 punting average on 24 punts in game one. 

Also in Canada West stats, Coombs is second in rushing with 455 yards and tied for first with six overall TDs. Demski is tied for third with 4 overall TDs. Yantz is third with 911 passing yards, In receiving yards, Demski is fourth with 285 while SB Andrew Smith is eighth with 256 and Coombs in tenth at 189. WR/KR Matt Sawyer is sixth with 53 punt return yards. 

On defence in Canada West stats, LB Bami Adewale and DL Evan Gill are tied for third with two sacks while Bison DL David Onyemata is tied for second with 4.5 tackles for losses and Adewale is tied for fourth with 4.0 tackles for losses. S Tyler Fong is tied for fourth with one interception plus MacFarlane, Gill and SB Alex Vitt have one forced fumble. Adewale and LB Thomas Miles have one fumble recovery each.

In the fourth 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 drops to number seven. Manitoba remains in eighth after being ninth ranked in week two and started the 2013 season in week one in the tenth position. 

Canada West football results so far in 2013:

Date Place of game Result

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 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 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.

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 Calgary lost at Laval by 32-2 score (Aug. 24).

In early 2013 conference regular season stats, Manitoba is first in scoring offence (45.0 points per game) while Calgary is fourth (37.0). On scoring defence, both the Dinos are first (27.3) and Manitoba T-3rd with 36.3. On total offence, Manitoba leads with 548.3 yards per game while Calgary is fifth at 443.7. On total defence, Calgary is first (415.3 yards per game) and Manitoba is fourth (465.7).

In early 2013 conference regular season stats, Manitoba is second in rushing offence at 230.7 yards per game while Calgary is fourth (163.3). In rushing defence, the Dinos are second (132.3) while Manitoba is fourth (170.3). In pass offence, the Bisons are third (317.7 yards per game) while the Dinos are fifth (280.3).  In pass defence, Calgary is second at 283.0 and Manitoba is third at 295.5.

In Canada West penalties, Manitoba is second with 25 for 71.7 yards per game while Calgary is sixth with 41 and 130.7. In time of possession, the Herd is third at 29:54 while the Dinos are last at 29:01.

In conference sacks, Manitoba is tied for second with seven while Calgary was fifth at three. In sacks allowed, Manitoba is tied for second at four while Calgary is tied for fourth at eight. 

In conference first downs, Manitoba is second at 29.3 per game and Calgary is third at 29.0. In red zone offence, the Bisons are tied for first at 100% with 12-12 with Manitoba scoring 10 TDs and Calgary in third at 93.3% with 10 TDs. In red zone defence, Manitoba is first at 71.4% (5-7) and 4 TDs allowed while the Dinos are tied for fifth at 100% (10-10) and 6 TDs allowed. In turnover margin, Manitoba is tied for fifth at -2 while Calgary is first at +4. Lastly, on three down conversion, Manitoba is tied for first at 71.4& (3/5) while Calgary is tied for third at 66.7% (3/4).

BISON FOOTBALL PLAYERS CLOSE TO TEAM CAREER MILESTONES

• Head coach Brian Dobie (1996-) is coaching his 139th conference regular season game at Manitoba (72-64-1-1) plus 155th 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 sixth with 161 points and only one point back of fifth place Matt Henry ('06-10: 162) while Coombs is now in eighth place with 144 points and just 15 points back of seventh place Les Oakes ('77-79: 159).
• Coombs is third in Bison total touchdowns with 24 and three back of second place (Matt Henry '06-10: 27) plus he is eighth in rushing yards as a Bison with 1,651 and 73 yards away from seventh (Larry Santin '81-85: 1724)
• Coombs is second in rush average at 7.8 (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 a tie for sixth, with 16 rushing touchdowns and only two away from fourth place (Dennis Hrycaiko '68-71: 18) and three away from third place (Brett Watt '90-94: 19)
• Boyd is fourth in field goals made at 28 and fifth in FG attempts with 42 and only one back of fourth place (Peter Scouras '05-07: 43)
• Boyd is third in converts at 69 and past third place (Scouras: 62) and three 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 now 13th in total tackles for a Bison with 109.0 and 2.0 back of 12th place (Scott Coe '98-01: 111) and 3.0 away for 11th place (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)
• David Ferrier (2010-13) is now 17th in total tackles for a Bison with 94.0 and 5.0 back of 16th place (Everton Black '07-10: 99.0) and 7.0 away for 15th place (Chad Vath '95-98: 101)
• 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. Calgary last 17 seasons

(Regular season: Bisons 10-16; Bisons at home vs. Dinos: 6-7; Bisons on road vs. Dinos: 4-9; Playoffs: 2-1)

September 20, 2013

Calgary vs. Manitoba TBD 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