Game Day Football Notes

University of Manitoba Bisons (4-4)

vs.

#8 University of Saskatchewan Huskies (6-2)

Friday, November 7, 2014

The Manitoba Bisons clinched a football playoff spot on the last weekend of the 2014 Canada West regular season with a 50-31 home win over then #2 Calgary Dinos on Sat., Nov. 1. The Bisons finished third in conference standings with a 4-4 record and now meet #8 and second place Saskatchewan Huskies (6-2) on the road in the Canada West Semi-Final playoff game on Friday, November 7 with kickoff at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be shown on live webcast at canadwest.tv website plus on SHAW TV across Western Canada. 

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. In week five, Manitoba suffered a 38-31 loss at Alberta for third straight road loss of the season. The Herd bounced back in week six with a 41-8 home win over then #8 Saskatchewan on Fri., Oct. 17. In week seven, Manitoba continued the yo-yo season as they lost their fourth consecutive road game of 2014 with a 56-41 loss against the Regina Rams. In week eight with a chance to clinch a playoff spot, the Bisons did just that as they defeated the then #2 Calgary Dinos by a 50-31 score at home on Sat., Nov. 1 and finished third in the conference standings.

In the conference standings, Manitoba finished in third spot (four made the playoffs) with a 4-4 record while Saskatchewan clinched second with a 6-2 mark. Calgary was first at 6-2 while Regina is the other playoff team at four place with a 3-5 record.

This is the second consecutive season both teams meet in the conference semi-final. In 2013, Manitoba won a thrilling 37-36 win at home (Nov. 1) when they blocked a kick on the last play during the first ever playoff game at Investors Group Field.

This will be the third meeting of this season between the teams as Manitoba won 41-8 at home on October 17 and the Herd lost 44-24 at Saskatchewan on Sept. 5 in the first week of the season.

This season, it has been a tale of two different teams as the Bisons have won all four games at home (Sept. 12: W 42-18 vs. Regina; Sept. 20: W 20-10 vs. UBC; Oct. 17: W 41-8 vs. Sask.; Nov. 1: W 50-31 vs. Cgy.) while losing all four on the road in 2014 (Sept. 5: L 44-24 at Saskatchewan; Sept. 26: L 42-41 at Calgary; Oct. 4: L 38-31 at Alberta; Oct. 25: L 56-41 at Regina).

During Bison football head coach Brian Dobie 19 years at the helm at Manitoba, the Bisons have won one playoff game over the Huskies as they are 1-3 and have never played a playoff game at Saskatoon. In the previous 18 years, all four playoff meetings between the two teams were at Manitoba (Canada West Semi-Final: 1999, 2002, 2013; Canada West Final: 2006). Overall, the Bisons met Sask. in two other post-season meetings in 1991 and 1973 and the only other win by the Bisons in the playoffs against Saskatchewan was a 21-8 win at Manitoba in 1973. 

At stake in the playoff game is advancing to the Canada West Final (78th Hardy Cup) next weekend. The winner of the game will face either the #4 Calgary Dinos (6-2) or the Regina Rams (3-5), the participants in the other Canada West Semi-Final on Saturday, Nov. 8 in Calgary.

Manitoba has now made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, the first time since 2005-07. 

In final 2014 conference regular season team stats, Manitoba was second in offence with 36.2 points average per game while Saskatchewan was third at 31.1 points per game. In offence yards per game, the Bisons were third with 467.8 while the Huskies were fifth at 420.2. On defence, Manitoba was third with 30.9 points allowed per game while Saskatchewan at second with 28.2 pts/game. In yards allowed, Manitoba was second (438.1) and Saskatchewan was third (474.1).

Individually for the Bisons in final 2014 conference stats, Kienan LaFrance was tied for first in Canada West overall touchdowns with ten (seven rush and three receiving) plus second with 785 conference rushing yards. Jordan Yantz was sixth in Canada West with 1,619 passing yards and tied for four with ten passing TDs despite only playing six of eight games. Nic Demski was fifth at 589 receiving yards (despite only playing six of eight games) while Alex Vitt was eighth with 489  receiving yards and Matt Sawyer was 11th at 451 rec. yards; In yards per catch, Demski was first at 21.8 while Vitt finished second at 17.5, Sawyer was tied for ninth at 14.1; Alex Christie was sixth in Canada West with 20.0 kickoff return average. In punt return yards, Nic Demski (272 yards) was third, Sawyer was tied for fourth at 189 yards, Jayden McKoy ended up ninth at 112 yards. Ryan Jones was third in kicking scoring with 60 points (9/13 in FGs and 33/34 in converts) while Zach Regert was sixth in punting average at 37.0 but first in kicks inside the 20 with 24.

In Canada West all-purpose yards, LaFrance stands third with 1,058, Demski was fourth at 923 (in only six games) and Christie at 12th with 751.

On defence in final 2014 conference stats after eight games, linebacker DJ Lalama was second while DB Jayden McKoy was sixth in conference tackles with 52.5 and 40 total tackles. DB Tremaine Apperley was 18th with 33 total tackles. DE Evan Foster led the conference with 5.5 sacks and LB James Mau plus LB Mitchell Harrison were tied for eighth with two. In tackles for losses, Foster was first with 7.5, Harrison was tied for eighth with 4.5 and DL Lauren Kroeker plus DT David Onyemata were tied for 13th with 3.5. Christie led Canada West with five forced fumbles while LB Jonathan Jones, DB Jordan Linnen, DB Cam Teschuk and McKoy have one forced fumble while Linnen led with three fumble recoveries while Foster, Lalama, DB Zach Sandulescu, S Tyler Fong and LB Houston Rennie all had one fumble recovery.  

In Canada West interceptions, defensive back Jayden McKoy was second with five INTs while safety Tyler Fong was tied for sixth with two interceptions plus Apperley was third with seven break-ups along with Harrison and Jones were tied for fourth with four break-ups each. Alex Christie was first in blocked kicks with four. 

In 2014, Manitoba best quarter for scoring was the second with 86 points (3rd Q: 78; 1st Q: 64; 4th Q: 61) while for the opposition the best scoring quarter on Manitoba has been the second with 84 points (4th Q: 63 points; 3rd: 57 points; 1st Q: 45 points).

For 2014 Canada West Semi-Final playoff game, the Manitoba Bisons football line-up has two changes (SB Bryden Bone is in and SB Marc Paquette is out while QB Jordan Yantz is back in and Theo Deezar is out) from the 24 starters in game eight at home versus the Calgary Dinos . So far this season, Manitoba has not had back-to-back games with the full 24 starters remaining for the same two consecutive games.

Heading into the playoff game, there are 17 starters (seven on offence; eight on defence; two on special teams) that have played all seven game at same position. On offence: TB Kienan LaFrance; LT Alex McKay; LG Nevin Gamblin; C Tyler Fabbri; RG Geoff Gray; RT Rob Smith; WR Matt Sawyer. On defence: LE Lauren Kroeker; NT David Onyemata; MAC LB DJ Lalama; CB Tremaine Apperley; CB Cam Teschuk; HB Jayden McKoy; HB Jordan Linnen; S Tyler Fong. On special teams: Placekicker Ryan Jones and Punter Zach Regert.

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

The lone rookie starter is halfback Jayden McKoy as he had dressed as a starter in all eight 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. In week six, Demski scored on a 76 punt return touchdown and was his second career punt return TD. In week seven, he was three yards shy of tying a Bison record as he hauled in 238 receiving yards on nine catches in the 56-41 road loss at Regina.

Quarterback Jordan Yantz made 14 consecutive starts in the conference regular season (started in all eight games in 2013) and his 16 consecutive start counting playoff games but the streak ended after week six when he could not play week seven in 2014 due to injury. 

QB Theo Deezar was the starter for week seven at Regina and has his second CIS start at the pivot position in week eight. In his first ever CIS start he went 22-40 for 439 yards (fifth most in team history for a single game passing yards) with four pass TDs and two INTs. Deezar earned his first ever CIS win at starting quarterback after going 10-18 for 210 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT in the 50-31 home win over Calgary in week eight on Sat., Nov. 1.

Kickoff will occur at 7 p.m. CT and the game can be seen on the web at: canadawest.tv website.

Points of Interest

Let's count this up…Bison football starters that have missed action this 2014 season…

The losses began before the 2014 season started.

LB Bami Adewale, CB David Ferrier and WR Akeeno Williams did not even make it through training camp or were injured prior to camp.

Week 1: SB/KR Nic Demski did not play and lost both Rush End Tyler Lee and FB Andrew Barry for rest of season with injuries

Week 2: WR Dustin Pedersen did not play

Week 3: SB Bryden Bone was lost for rest of season due to injury

Week 4: DT Evan Gill injured and has not played since due to injury

Week 5: SB/KR Nic Demski did not play 

Week 6: SB Danny Turek did not play and has not played since due to injury plus QB Jordan Yantz injured and did not play for two games

Week 7: SB Alex Vitt injured and has not played since due to injury

Week 8: starting kick specialist Alex Christie injured and not scheduled to play in playoff game

The most TDs so far this season by the Herd has been six and accomplish three times so far this season - against Regina in week two (W 42-18) and versus Calgary (L 42-41) in week four plus at home against Calgary (W 50-31) in week eight. The also scored five TDs in week six vs. Sask.

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

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. 

Manitoba had only allowed 28 points in week two and week three games. The lowest points allowed by the Bison defence were eight points in week six vs. Sask.

In 2014 reg. season, the Bisons travelling on the road have scored 137 points and given up 174 points while at home, Manitoba has scored 153 points and allowed 67 points.

Individually, Manitoba has scored 36 overall touchdowns so far this season (Kienan LaFrance – 10 (seven by rush and three by pass), Jordan Yantz – 6, Nic Demski – 6, Matt Sawyer – 5,  Alex Vitt – 4, Jonathan Jones – 1, DJ Lalama – 1, Alex Christie – 1, Jayden McKoy – 1, Jordan Linnen – 1.

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie is coaching in his 152ndCIS game in his 19th season at the helm of Manitoba. His regular season record so far is 79-70-1-1 (52.6% winning percentage) and post-season record is 10-8 (55.6% winning percentage)

Since 1968 season, the Bisons have officially played 371 Canada West regular season football games and recorded 167 wins, 200 losses, three ties and one overtime loss.

In the ninth CIS Top 10 football poll of 2014, defending Vanier Cup champion Laval is still number one while Canada West teams occupy two spots as Calgary is fourth and Saskatchewan is at number eight. 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 remained at number ten in week five before dropping out of Top 10 in week six. In week seven, Manitoba leapfrogged back into the CIS Top 10 in ninth spot. Manitoba dropped out of the CIS Top 10 for week eight after 56-41 road loss at Regina.

In final 2014 conference regular season stats, Manitoba was third in offence passing yards at 305.5 per game while Saskatchewan was fifth at 288.8. In rushing yards, the Bisons were third at 162.2 yards per game while the Huskies were sixth at 131.5/game. In first downs, Manitoba was fifth with 24.1 per game while Sask. finished third at 26.2/game. On third down conversions, Manitoba was fifth at 33% (8-24) while Saskatchewan was first at 69% (11-16). 

In the red zone, Manitoba (21-24) was fifth at 88% with 18 touchdowns while Sask. was first at 97% (32-33) and 25 touchdowns. In turnovers, Manitoba's defence had 18 with nine interceptions and nine fumble recoveries.

In Canada West penalties, Manitoba finished sixth with 108 for 981 yards while the Huskies were second with 75 for 686 yards. In time of possession, the Herd was sixth at 28:52 while Sask. was third at 30:40.

On defence in Canada West stats, Manitoba ended up second in passing yards allowed per game at 264.2 while Sask. was fifth at 320.4 while in rushing yards allowed per game, the Herd was third at 173.9 and the Huskies were second at 153.8. In interceptions, Manitoba was fourth with nine while Sask. was first at 15. In fumble recoveries, Manitoba finished first with nine while Saskatchewan was third at six.

In conference sacks, Manitoba was first with 18 while the Huskies were sixth with six. In sacks allowed, Manitoba has allowed 11 in eight games for third best while Saskatchewan was fifth with 15 sacks allowed.

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.

In week four road loss at Calgary, Yantz threw for 426 yards – fifth most, at the time, 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.

In the 2014 CIS football regular season, Manitoba Bisons third year kick defensive tackle David Onyemata was selected as CIS and Canada West Defence Football Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Oct. 19, 2014. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound junior created havoc throughout the contest and finished with 5.5 tackles, including one for a loss.

In the last week of the 2014 CIS football regular season, Manitoba Bisons second year running back/kick specialist Alex Christie was selected as CIS Special Teams Football Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Nov. 2, 2014. This is the second time that Christie has been selected for CIS weekly honours in 2014 (Sept. 14/14: Christie – special teams). Christie, a second-year arts student from Thorold, Ont., was the choice on special teams thanks to a pair of spectacular plays that helped the Bisons secure a post-season berth with a 50-31 upset of reigning six-time conference champion Calgary, Saturday in Winnipeg. 

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound running back had a pair of blocked punts that resulted directly in Manitoba touchdowns, the first one near midfield in the opening quarter and the second deep in Dino territory early in the fourth frame. Christie, who also returned a kickoff on 37 yards in the win, finished the regular season with a team record four blocked kicks.

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

Oct. 4               Alberta                Alberta 38 Manitoba 31

Oct. 4                Calgary                Calgary 59 Regina 7

Oct. 4               Saskatchewan       Saskatchewan 31 UBC 25

Oct. 17            Manitoba              Manitoba 41 Saskatchewan 8

Oct. 18            Alberta                   Calgary 52 Alberta 37

Oct. 18            UBC                      UBC 33 Regina 32

Oct. 25             Calgary                 Calgary 67 UBC 6            

Oct. 25             Regina                 Regina 56 Manitoba 41

Oct. 25             Saskatchewan       Saskatchewan 41 Alberta 23

Nov. 1             Manitoba             Manitoba 50 Calgary 31

Nov. 1             UBC                     Saskatchewan 38 UBC 18

Nov. 1             Regina                  Regina 35 Alberta 31

Other Canada West football games this weekend:

Nov. 8             Regina at Calgary         3:00 PM MDT

BISON FOOTBALL PLAYERS CLOSE TO TEAM CAREER MILESTONES

• Head coach Brian Dobie (1996-present) coached his 151st conference regular season game at Manitoba (79-70-1-1) and now coaching his 170th overall game (playoffs record: 10-8)
• Nick Demski (2011-14) is close to Top 10 of the Bison career points total standings. Demski is in 11th place with 126 points, number ten is Dennis Hrycaiko ('68-71) at 128 points.
• Demski is now fifth in Bison total touchdowns with 21. He passed sixth place Dennis Hrycaiko ('68-71: 20).
• In receiving yards, Demski is now in the Top 10 of all-time Bison records. He sits at seventh with 1,451 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 eighth spot is now Grant McMillan ('89-93: 1,304). Sixth place is Keith Nielsen ('88-92: 1,649).
• Demski is first in receiving yard average per catch at 19.0. Gord Paterson ('72-73: 18.5) drops to second and third place is Chris Noonan ('93-97: 17.5)
• In receiving TDs, Demski is second with 15. Only Mike Faisthuber ('99-03: 23) is ahead of him in first place.
• Demski is first for most kickoff returns for touchdowns with two, tied for first in kickoff average at 24.3. He is tied for fourth with two punt return TDs (T-2nd is David Courtemanche '91-93: 3; Dennis Hrycaiko'68-71: 3).
• Demski is fourth in kickoff return yards at 899, behind third place (David Courtemanche '91-93: 943) plus sixth in kickoff returns at 37 attempts. 
• Kienan LaFrance (2011-14) is eighth in Bison total touchdowns with 18. He is one TD back of seventh place Brett Watt ('90-94: 19).
• In rushing yards, LaFrance is now in the Top 10 of all-time Bison records. He sits at ninth with 1,484 yards and just past tenth place Chris Hardy ('95-96: 1,209) and now next is eighth place Larry Santin ('81-85: 1,724). 
• Quarterback Jordan Yantz (2013-14) is moving quickly up the all-time Bison ranks in only his second year at Manitoba. He is now sixth in passing yards with 4,083 and passing seventh is Duane Hysop ('76-81: 3,896) He now only 115 yards away form fifth place Dough Lynch ('86-90: 4,198). In addition, he is seventh in pass completions with 256 and only 27 back of Hysop (283) in sixth place. In pass attempts, Yantz is seventh at 449 and Bud Harden ('72-77) is next in sixth at 560.
• Yantz overall passing percentage is 57.0% and third right now, just ahead of Khaleal Williams ('09-11: 56.1%). And his interceptions per attempt are 1 per 37 attempts, good for second and just behind Shane Munson at 1/39 attempts.
• Lauren Kroeker (2010-14) is now sixth in total tackles with 160.5. This year, he has 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 seventh place Wade Miller (1992-94: 141). Fifth place is Teague Sherman ('08-12: 162.5).
• Kroeker is now tied for ninth with 14 sacks and past 12th spot (Everton Black '07-10: 11) and 11th place (Simon Patrick '03-07: 13). He is tied with Mike Watson ('91-92: 14) and next is three-way T-6th (Frank Cataojo '91-94: 15; Dave Tucker '98-01: 15; Justin Shaw '04-07: 15)
• Kroeker is now fourth in sack yards with 72 and three yards away from third place (Everton Black '07-10: 75)
• Alex Christie ('13-14) is first with four blocked kicks while Andrew Barry (2011-14) is tied for second with three blocked kicks (Jason Rauhaus '90-91 and Mike Howard '03-07).
• Tremaine Apperley (2013-14) is tied for fourth in defensive break-ups with 13. Bob Reist ('03-07: 13) is also tied with 13 and David Ferrier ('10-13: 14) is third at 14.

Key Stats – Bison FTB History vs. Saskatchewan last 19 seasons (Regular season: Bisons 14-14, Bisons at home vs. Sask.: 8-8; Bisons on road vs. Sask.: 6-6; Playoffs: 1-3)

November 8, 2014 (CW Semi-Final)

Saskatchewan vs. Manitoba TBD at Sask.

October 17, 2014

Manitoba 41 Saskatchewan 8 at Man.

September 5, 2014

Saskatchewan 44 Manitoba 24 at Sask.

November 1, 2013 (CW Semi-Final)

Manitoba 37 Saskatchewan 36 at Man.

October 18, 2013

Manitoba 33 Saskatchewan 26 at Sask.

September 7, 2013

Saskatchewan 36 Manitoba 34 at Man.

October 12, 2012

Saskatchewan 44 Manitoba 39 at Sask.

September 8, 2012

Manitoba 31 Saskatchewan 28 at Man.

September 17, 2011

Manitoba 26 Saskatchewan 16 at Man.

October 1, 2010 

Saskatchewan 64 Manitoba 3 at Sask.

October 17, 2009

Saskatchewan 31 Manitoba 11 at Man.

October 11, 2008

Manitoba 20 Saskatchewan 17 at Man.

September 22, 2007

Manitoba 15 Saskatchewan 10 at Man.

November 11, 2006 (CW Final)

Saskatchewan 32 Manitoba 15 at Man.

October 7, 2006 

Manitoba 35 Saskatchewan 16 at Sask.

October 15, 2005 

Saskatchewan 18 Manitoba 17 at Sask.

September 10, 2005

Saskatchewan 27 Manitoba 21 at Man.

September 25, 2004

Saskatchewan 47 Manitoba 14 at Sask.

October 4, 2003

Saskatchewan 23 Manitoba 8 at Man.

November 3, 2002 (CW Semi-Final)

Saskatchewan 37 Manitoba 18 at Man.

October 12, 2002

Manitoba 21 Saskatchewan 19 at Man.

August 31, 2002

Manitoba 34 Saskatchewan 21 at Sask.

October 20, 2001

Manitoba 22 Saskatchewan 14 at Man. 

Saturday September 8, 2001

Manitoba 52 Saskatchewan 7 at Sask.

October 28, 2000

Manitoba 39 Saskatchewan 5 at Sask.

September 16, 2000

Manitoba 41 Saskatchewan 7 at Man. 

November 6, 1999 (CW Semi-Final)

Saskatchewan 28 Manitoba 9 at Man.

September 25, 1999

Saskatchewan 28 Manitoba 9 at Man.

October 31, 1998

Saskatchewan 21 Manitoba 19 at Man.

September 26, 1998

Saskatchewan 37 Manitoba 19 at Sask.

October 4, 1997

Manitoba 37 Saskatchewan 19 at Man. 

August 30, 1997

Manitoba 21 Saskatchewan 16 at Sask.

October 19, 1996

Saskatchewan 24 Manitoba 12 at Man. 

September 14, 1996

Saskatchewan 26 Manitoba 7 at Sask.