Game Day Football Notes

#10 University of Manitoba Bisons (2-2)

vs.

Alberta Golden Bears (2-2)

Saturday, October 4, 2014

The #10 Manitoba Bisons football team goes back on the road and will face the Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday, October 4 with kickoff at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be shown on live webcast at canadwest.tv website.

To start the 2014 season, the Bisons were ranked sixth in the first CIS poll and travelled to play at then #7 Saskatchewan in week one and lost 44-24 on Fri., Sept. 5. In Brian Dobie's 18 years at the helm for regular season openers, the Bisons are now 10-9 overall and 6-5 on the road. In week two, Manitoba won 42-18 in the home opener on Fri., Sept. 12. During the annual Homecoming Game for the Herd in week three on Sat., Sept. 20, Manitoba was back in the CIS top ten as they were ranked #9 and defeated UBC by a 20-10 score. In week four on Fri., Sept. 26, Manitoba lost a close 42-41 game at #2 Calgary.  

Alberta returns home after losing 49-13 at UBC on Sat. Sept. 27. The Bears snapped a 25 game losing streak, dating back to 2010 season, when they won 44-42 over Regina at home on Sat. Sept. 20. Alberta lost 42-41 in overtime to Saskatchewan at home on Sat., Sept. 13 and began the season with a 71-3 road loss at Calgary on Fri., Sept. 5 – which was overturned after Calgary dressed an ineligible player and Alberta officially won 1-0.

Last season, the two teams played twice with Manitoba earning wins in both games as they met twice in the regular season (Aug. 30/13 in the first ever CIS game at Investors Group Field: W 65-41 at Man. and Oct. 26/13: W 60-18 at Alb.). Overall, head coach Brian Dobie has a 12-12-1 regular season record during his 18 seasons at the helm and the Herd enters the contest on a five game conference winning streak against the Bears dating back to the 2010 season.

In the 2013 season, Manitoba went 5-3 for second place in the regular season standings and was a Canada West finalist (lost 43-28 at Calgary in conference final) after winning 37-36 at Manitoba in the Canada West Semi-Final. For Alberta, they suffered their third consecutive 0-8 season but were close in several games with a young lineup.

In the conference standings, Manitoba is now third with a 2-2 record with Alberta (Alberta wins because of Calgary's ineligible player in week one game). This is the last game before the conference bye during the Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 10-12). 

In early 2014 conference regular season team stats, Manitoba is third in offence with 31.8 points average per game while Alberta is fifth at 25.2 points per game. In offence yards per game, the Bears are fourth with 439.0 while the Bisons are fifth at 438.5. On defence, Manitoba is second with 28.5 points allowed per game and third with 428.2 yards allowed per game while Alberta is last in points allowed at 51.0 and yards allowed at 636.5.

Individually for the Bisons in conference stats, Kienan LaFrance is tied for first in Canada West touchdowns with seven (four rush and three receiving) plus second with 306 conference rushing yards. Jordan Yantz is third in Canada West with 1,103 passing yards and third with seven passing TDs; Alex Vitt is fourth with 339 conference receiving yards; In yards per catch, Vitt is fourth at 17.0, Matt Sawyer is seventh at 14.7 and Dustin Pedersen is eight with 14.5; Alex Christie is fifth in Canada West with 20.2 kickoff return average plus Jayden McCoy is first, Nic Demski is third and Christie is fourth in punt return average at 18.7, 11.4 and 10.8 average. Ryan Jones is fifth in kicking scoring with 25 points (4/7 in FGs and 13/13 in converts) while Zach Regert is fourth in punting average at 38.2.

In Canada West all-purpose yards, LaFrance stands seventh with 439 and Vitt is 11th at 343.

On defence in conference stats after four games, linebacker DJ Lalama is fourth while DB Tremaine Apperley is fifth in conference tackles with 25 and 24 total tackles. DE Evan Foster leads the conference with four sacks and James Mau is tied for third with two. In tackles for losses, Foster is third with 4.5, Mau and DT David Onyemata is tied for fifth with three and DT Evan Gill is tied for 11th at 2.5. Christie, LB Jonathan Jones and DB Cam Teschuk all have one forced fumble while Foster, Lalama, DB Zach Sandulescu and LB Houston Rennie all have one fumble recovery.  

In Canada West interceptions, safety Tyler Fong and McCoy are tied for second with two interceptions plus Apperley, Teschuk and LB Mitchell Harrison are tied for fifth with two break-ups each.

This is the lone conference regular season meeting this season between the two teams. The Bisons seek to extend a five game conference winning streak against the Bears dating back to the 2010 season.

This is the third road game of the season for Manitoba and they are looking for first road win of the 2014 campaign. After the conference bye, Manitoba plays two of the last three games at home with the last remaining road contest at Regina on Saturday, October 25.

The Bisons seek to start the Canada West season with a 3-2 record. The Herd last accomplished this feat in 2013 season (wins in week 1, 3 and 5).

In 2014, Manitoba best quarter for scoring is the second with 43 points (1st Q: 40 points; 3rd Q: 33; 4th Q: 10) while for the opposition the best scoring quarter on Manitoba has been the second with 47 points (3rd: 28 points; 4th Q: 22 points; 1st Q: 19).

For game four of 2014, the Manitoba Bisons football line-up has only two changes from the 24 starters in game four on the road against the Calgary Dinos. So far this season, Manitoba has not had back-to-back games with the full 24 starters remaining the same for two consecutive games.

Heading into week five there are 19 starters (nine on offence; eight on defence; two on special teams) that have played all four game at same position. On offence; QB Jordan Yantz; TB Kienan LaFrance; LT Alex McKay; LG Nevin Gamblin; C Tyler Fabbri; RG Geoff Gray; RT Rob Smith; SB Ales Vitt; WR Matt Sawyer. On defence: LE Lauren Kroeker; NT David Onyemata; MAC LB DJ Lalama; CB Tremaine Apperley; CB Cam Teschuk; HB Jayden McCoy; HB Jordan Linnen; S Tyler Fong. On special teams: Placekicker Ryan Jones and Punter Zach Regert.

In addition, Mitchell Harrison has started all four games but played SAM LB in week one and WILL LB in rest of weeks.

The lone rookie starter is halfback Jayden McCoy as he had dressed as a starter in all four games at the position after red-shirting last season. '

Fourth year slotback and three-time CIS All-Canadian Nic Demski saw his first action with Manitoba in 2014 in a week two win over Regina after missing game one. In week three, he was Bison Sports Male Athlete of the Week after 224 all-purpose yards (65 receiving, 45 rushing, 92 punt return yards and 22 kickoff return yards). He was also highlighted as the top-ranked CIS player on the initial prospect list released by the CFL's Scouting Bureau in advance of the league's 2015 Canadian Draft by being ranked number three.

Quarterback Jordan Yantz makes his 13th consecutive start in the conference regular season (started in all eight games in 2013) and will be his 15th consecutive start counting playoff games.

Kickoff will occur at 6 p.m. CT and the game can be seen live on the web at: canadawest.tv website.

Points of Interest

The Bisons led by as many as 40 points (42-2) at the near end of the third quarter before a final 42-18 score versus Regina at home in week two in front of 6,435 fans at IGF. The Herd scored six touchdowns (five on offence and one on defence) in the home victory. 

The most TDs so far this season by the Herd has been six against Regina in week two (W 42-18) and versus Calgary (L 42-41).

Manitoba led 24-21 at the half in game one at Saskatchewan before falling by a final score of 44-24.

Manitoba had only allowed 28 points in week two and three games.

The Bisons seek to make the post-season for three consecutive seasons, the last time that occurred was 2005-07.

Individually, Manitoba has scored 16 overall touchdowns so far this season (Kienan LaFrance – 7 (four by rush and three by pass), Jordan Yantz – 3, Alex Vitt – 2,  Matt Sawyer – 2,  Jonathan Jones – 1, Nic Demski – 1).

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie is coaching in his 148th CIS game in his 19th season at the helm of Manitoba. His regular season record so far is 77-68-1-1 (52.7% winning percentage) and post-season record is 10-8

Since 1968 season, the Bisons have officially played 367 Canada West regular season football games and recorded 165 wins, 198 losses, three ties and one overtime loss.

In the fifth CIS Top 10 football poll of 2014, defending Vanier Cup champion Laval is still number one while Canada West teams occupy three spots as Calgary is second and Saskatchewan is at number seven. Manitoba started the season in sixth spot and did not make the Top 10 in week two but rebounded to be ranked number nine in week three and then dropped to number ten spot in week four and remains at number ten in week five

In early 2014 conference regular season stats, Manitoba is fifth in offence passing yards at 292.5 per game while Alberta is fourth at 293.2. In rushing yards, the Bisons are third at 146.0 yards per game while the Bears are fourth at 145.8/game. In first downs, Manitoba sits fourth with 23.8 per game while Alberta is fifth at 23.2/game. On third down conversions, Alberta is tops at 70% (7-10) while Manitoba is third at 55% (6-11). 

In the red zone, Manitoba (11-11) is first at 100% with nine touchdowns while Alberta is fifth at 79% (11-14) and nine touchdowns. In turnovers, Manitoba had eight with five interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

In Canada West penalties, Manitoba is last with 62 for 551 yards while the Bears are fifth with 59 for 473 yards. In time of possession, the Herd is fourth at 30:30 while Alberta is fifth at 29:02.

On defence in Canada West stats, Manitoba is third in passing yards per game at 279.8 while Alberta sits last at 419.8 while in rushing yards per game, the Herd are fourth at 148.5 and the Bears are sixth at 218.0. In interceptions, Manitoba is fourth with five while Alberta is last at one. In fumble recoveries, Manitoba is first with four while Alberta is second at three.

In conference sacks, Manitoba is first with 11 while the Bears are tied for third with six. In sacks allowed, Manitoba has allowed eight while Alberta has allowed seven.

In the 2014 CIS football regular season, Manitoba Bisons fifth year kick linebacker Jonathan Jones was selected as CIS Defence Football Athlete of the Week while Bison Alex Christie was selected as CIS Special Teams Football Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Sept. 14, 2014.  This is the first time Manitoba Bisons football players has earned CIS player of the week honours in 2014. Both were also named conference football player of the week.

In the third week of the 2014 Canada West football regular season, Manitoba Bisons first year placekicker Ryan Jones was selected Canada West Special Teams Football Athlete of the Week for the week ending September 21/14.  Jones accounted for ten of the 20 points scored by the #9 Manitoba Bisons as the won at home by a 20-10 score over the UBC Thunderbirds during the annual Homecoming Game on Saturday, September 20.

Jones was perfect as he went three for three in field goals and converted the lone TD plus had a 51.7 kickoff average on three kicks during the home win.

In week four road loss at Calgary, Yantz threw for 426 yards – fifth most by a Bison in a single football game while his 44 attempts were tied for fourth highest in team history and 26 completions was tied for fourth most.

Canada West football results so far in 2014:

Date            Place of game        Result

Sept. 5         Calgary                    Calgary 71 Alberta 3 – officially 1-0 Alberta

Sept. 5         Saskatoon               Saskatchewan 44 Manitoba 24

Sept. 5         Regina                      Regina 33 UBC 23

Sept. 12      Manitoba                 Manitoba 42 Regina 18

Sept. 13       Alberta                     Saskatchewan 42 Alberta 41 (OT)

Sept. 13       UBC                          Calgary 59 UBC 11

Sept. 19       Saskatchewan         Calgary 38 Saskatchewan 24

Sept. 20       Manitoba                Manitoba 20 UBC 10

Sept. 20       Alberta                    Alberta 44 Regina 42

Sept. 26       Calgary                  Calgary 42 Manitoba 41

Sept. 27        Regina                    Saskatchewan 21 Regina 16

Sept. 27        UBC                        UBC 49 Alberta 13

Other Canada West football games this weekend:

Oct. 4             UBC at Saskatchewan      7:00 PM MDT

Oct. 4             Regina at Calgary            2:00 PM MDT

BISON FOOTBALL PLAYERS CLOSE TO TEAM CAREER MILESTONES

• Head coach Brian Dobie (1996-present) is coaching his 148th conference regular season game at Manitoba (77-68-1-1) plus 166th overall game (playoffs record: 10-8)
• Nick Demski (2011-14) is closing in to the Top 10 of the Bison career points total standings. Demski is in 11th place with 96 points, number ten is Dennis Hrycaiko ('68-71) at 128 points.
• Demski is seventh in Bison total touchdowns with 16. He is three TDs back of sixth place Brett Watt ('90-94: 19) and four TDs back of fifth place Dennis Hrycaiko ('68-71: 20).
•  In receiving yards, Demski is now in the Top 10 of all-time Bison records. He sits at eighth with 1,156 yards and just past ninth place is now Bison coach now Blair Atkinson ('03-05: 1,143) and tenth place Stu Schollaardt ('08-11: 1,116). In seventh spot is Grant McMillan ('89-93: 1, 304) – only 148 yards away.
•  Demski is also third in receiving yard average per catch at 17.5. In first is Gord Paterson ('72-73: 18.5) and second place Chris Noonan ('93-97: 17.5)
• In receiving TDs, Demski is tied for fourth with 11. He is one back of Atkinson and three TDs back of second place Terry Firr ('04-08: 14).
• Demski is first for most kickoff returns for touchdowns with two, first in kickoff average at 25.3.
• Demski is fourth in kickoff return yards at 906, 37 yards back of third (David Courtemanche '91-93: 943) plus sixth in kickoff returns at 36 attempts with best average at 25.2. 
• Quarterback Jordan Yantz (2013-14) is moving quickly up the all-time Bison ranks in only his second year at Manitoba. He is seventh in passing yards with 3,577 and sixth is Duane Hysop ('76-81: 3,896) – only 319 yards away. In addition, he seventh in pass completions with 215 and only 68 back of Hysop (283) in sixth place. In pass attempts, Yantz is seventh at 388 and Bud Harden ('72-77) is next in sixth at 560.
• Yantz overall passing percentage is 55.4% and fourth right now, just behind Khaleal Williams ('09-11: 56.1%). And his interceptions per attempt is 1 per 35 attempts, good for second and just behind Shane Munson at 1/39 attempts.
• Lauren Kroeker (2010-14) is now seventh in total tackles with 140.5. He past tenth place tie (Terry Staroba '95-98: 132 and Jeff Alamolhoda '03-07: 132) and ninth place Mike Howard ('03-07: 133) and eighth place Pate Adams ('08-11: 135.0) and up next is sixth place Wade Miller (1992-94: 141).
• Closing in on 100 total tackles is Evan Gill (2011-14) as he has 93.5. Only 15 Bisons have reached the century mark in tackles in team history. 
• 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)
• Andrew Barry (2011-14) is tied for first with three blocked kicks (Jason Rauhaus '90-91 and Mike Howard '03-07).

Key Stats – Bison FTB History vs. Alberta last 18 seasons 

(Regular season: Bisons 12-12-1, Bisons at home: 7-6-0, Bisons on the road: 5-6-1; Playoffs: 0-1)

Saturday October 4, 2014

Manitoba vs. Alberta TBD at Alberta

Saturday October 26, 2013

Manitoba 60 Alberta 18 at Alberta

Friday August 30, 2013

Manitoba 65 Alberta 41 at Manitoba

Saturday September 22, 2012

Manitoba 51 Alberta 38 at Manitoba

Saturday October 15, 2011

Manitoba 48 Alberta 20 at Manitoba

Saturday September 10, 2011 

Manitoba 22 Alberta 20 at Alberta

Saturday October 23, 2010 

Alberta 46 Manitoba 21 at Alberta

Saturday September 11, 2010 

Alberta 31 Manitoba 6 at Manitoba

Saturday October 3, 2009

*Alberta 1 Manitoba 0 at Manitoba

(*Manitoba forfeits win due to ineligible player)

- The original score was 20-13 Manitoba

Friday September 19, 2008 

Manitoba 27 Alberta 17 at Alberta

Saturday October 6, 2007 

Manitoba 29 Alberta 16 at Alberta

Saturday September 23, 2006 

Manitoba 29 Alberta 14 at Manitoba

Saturday November 5, 2005 (CW Semi)

Alberta 33 Manitoba 24 at Alberta

Saturday October 1, 2005

Alberta 24 Manitoba 14 at Alberta

Saturday October 9, 2004

Alberta 39 Manitoba 25 at Manitoba

Saturday September 20, 2003

Alberta 71 Manitoba 16 at Alberta

Saturday September 28, 2002

Manitoba 30 Alberta 15 at Manitoba

Saturday September 22, 2001

Manitoba 46 Alberta 13 at Manitoba

Saturday October 21, 2000

Manitoba 33 Alberta 23 at Manitoba

Saturday September 9, 2000

Manitoba 17 Alberta 17 at Alberta 

Saturday October 30, 1999

Alberta 35 Manitoba 18 at Manitoba 

Saturday September 18, 1999

Manitoba 59 Alberta 38 at Alberta

Saturday October 3, 1998

Alberta 28 Manitoba 24 at Alberta

Saturday November 7, 1998

Alberta 20 Manitoba 17 at Manitoba

Saturday October 11, 1997

Alberta 28 Manitoba 14 at Alberta

Saturday September 6, 1997

Manitoba 41 Alberta 31 at Manitoba

Saturday September 21, 1996

Alberta 41 Manitoba 14 at Manitoba

Saturday October 26, 1996

Alberta 44 Manitoba 3 at Alberta