Game Day Football Notes

#10 University of Manitoba Bisons (2-1)

vs.

#2 University of Calgary Dinos (3-0)

Friday, September 26, 2014

The #10 Manitoba Bisons football team goes back on the road and will face the #2 Calgary Dinos in a battle for first place in the Canada West conference on Friday, September 26 with kickoff at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be televised live as part of Canada West SHAW TV Game of the Week and also 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.  

Calgary is on three game winning streak in 2014 with 71-3 win vs. Alberta (Sept. 5), 59-11 win at UBC (Sept. 13) and 38-24 victory at Saskatchewan (Sept. 19). The Dinos have won 12 consecutive conference games dating back to their last loss on Oct. 19, 2012. Calgary has been ranked number since the start of the 2014 campaign, all four CIS Top 10 polls.

Manitoba is also looking to reverse recent history as they have not defeated Calgary since the 2007 Vanier Cup Championship season when they won over the Dinos in the  regular season (Sept. 15/07: W 35-28) and then post-season (Canada West Semi-Final on Nov. 3/07: W 27-5). In the last six seasons, Calgary has won nine straight conference games (five at Calgary) and two post-season games (both at Calgary). During Brian Dobie's first 18 seasons at the helm, the Herd has a 10-17 regular season record and 4-10 regular season record at Calgary with the last win on the road against the Dinos occurred on Oct. 21, 2005 (W 28-27). 

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 Calgary, they finished first with a perfect 8-0 record and then defeated UBC 42-28 in other Canada West Semi-Final, beat Manitoba in conference championship and then in the CIS Semi-Final (Mitchell Bowl) destroyed Western 44-3. In the 49^th Vanier Cup in Laval, Calgary lost 25-14. Calgary won their sixth consecutive Hardy Cup (Canada West championship) and made their fourth appearance in six years at the Vanier Cup.

Last season, the two teams played twice with Calgary taking the decision in both games as they met once in the regular season (Sept. 20/13: L 48-24 at Cgy.) and once in the playoffs (Canada West Final on Nov. 9/13: L 43-28 at Cgy.). 

In early 2014 conference regular season team stats, Calgary is first in offence with 56.0 points average per game while Manitoba fifth at 28.7 points per game. In offence yards per game, the Dinos are first with 679.7 while the Bisons are fifth at 406.0. On defence, Calgary is tops with 12.7 points allowed per game and 312.7 yards allowed per game while the Herd are second in points allowed at 24.0 and yards allowed at 402.3.

Individually for the Bisons in conference stats, Kienan LaFrance is tied for second in Canada West touchdowns with five (three rush and two receiving) plus second with 229 conference rushing yards. Jordan Yantz is fifth in Canada West with 677 passing yards; Alex Vitt is seventh with 216 conference receiving yards; Nic Demski is third at 19.4 and Vitt is fifth at 16.6 yards per catch; Alex Christie is sixth in Canada West with 21.0 kickoff return average plus Jayden McCoy is first and Demski is second in punt return average at 17.2 and 11.4.. Ryan Jones is fourth in kicking scoring with 20 points (4/6 in FGs and 8/8 in converts) while Zach Regert is sixth in punting average at 37.2.

In Canada West all-purpose yards, Demski is 11th and LaFrance at 12^th with 301 and 295.

On defence in conference stats after three games, DB Tremaine Apperley is fourth in conference with 20 total tackles, linebacker DJ Lalama is seventh at 17 and McCoy is tied for tenth at 15. DE Evan Foster leads the conference with three sacks and James Mau is tied for second with two. In tackles for losses, Foster is tied for second with 3.5, Mau and DT David Onyemata is tied for fourth with three and DT Evan Gill is tied for seventh at 2.5. Christie, LB Jonathan Jones and DB Cam Teschuk all have one forced fumble while Foster, Lalama and LB Houston Rennie all have one fumble recovery.  Safety Tyler Fong is tied for second with two interceptions plus Apperley, Teschuk and LB Mitchell Harrison are tied for fifth with two break-ups each.

This game is important in the conference standings as Manitoba is lodged in a tie for second with Saskatchewan at 2-1 while Calgary is first at 3-0 with only four teams making the playoffs after eight regular season games. 

This is the first of two conference regular season meeting this season between the two teams. They will encounter each other again at Manitoba on Saturday, November 1 at 2 p.m. CT held at Investors Group Field.

This is the second road game of the season for Manitoba. The Herd then goes back on the road next week against the Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday, October 4 at 6 p.m. CT (week five) before the conference bye during the Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 11).

The Bisons seek to start the Canada West season with a 3-1 record. The Herd last accomplished this feat in 2012 season (win in week 1, 2 and 4).

In 2014, Manitoba best quarter for scoring is the second with 37 points (1st Q: 26 points; 3rd Q: 20; 4th Q: 3) while for the opposition the best scoring quarter on Manitoba has been the second with 26 points (3rd: 20 points; 4th Q: 19 points; 1st Q: 9) .

For game four of 2014, the Manitoba Bisons football line-up has only no changes from the 24 starters in game three at home against the UBC Thunderbirds. This is the first time that back-to-back weeks have had all the same 24 starters for the Bisons.

Heading into week four, there are 21 starters (10 on offence; nine on defence; 2 on special teams) that have played all three 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 Bryden Bone; SB Ales Vitt; WR Matt Sawyer. On defence: LE Lauren Kroeker; DT Evan Gill; 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; Punter Zach Regert.

In addition, Mitchell Harrison has started all three games but played SAM LB in week one and WILL LB in week two and three.

The lone rookie starter is halfback Jayden McKoy as he had dressed as a starter in all three 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 12th consecutive start in the conference regular season (started in all eight games in 2013) and will be his 14th consecutive start counting playoff games.

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

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.

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

Manitoba has only allowed 28 points in last two games after only 1 TD and ten points by UBC in week three.

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

Individually, Manitoba has scored ten overall touchdowns so far this season (Kienan LaFrance – 5 (three by rush and two by pass), Jordan Yantz – 2, Alex Vitt – 1, Jonathan Jones – 1, Nic Demski – 1).

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie is coaching in his 147th CIS game in his 19th season at the helm of Manitoba. His regular season record so far is 77-67-1-1 (53.1%)and post-season record is 10-8

Since 1968 season, the Bisons have officially played 366 regular season football games and recorded 165 wins, 197 losses, three ties and one overtime loss.

In the fourth 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 six. Manitoba started the season in sixth spot and did not make the Top 10 in week two but rebounded to be ranked number in week three and then dropped to number ten spot in week four.

In early 2014 conference regular season stats, Manitoba is fifth in offence passing yards at 248.0 per game while Calgary is second at 388.7. In rushing yards, the Bisons are fourth at 158.0 yards per game while the Dinos are first at 291.0/game. In first downs, Manitoba sits fifth with 23.0 per game while Calgary is first at 34.7/game. On third down conversions, Manitoba is second at 57% (4-7) while Calgary fifth at 17% (1-6). 

In the red zone, Manitoba (9-9) is first at 100% with seven touchdowns while Calgary is third at 90% (18-20) and 16 touchdowns. In turnovers, Manitoba had seven with four interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

In Canada West penalties, Manitoba is last with 50 for 455 yards while the Dinos are second with 28 for 300 yards. In time of possession, the Herd is last at 26:10 while Calgary is second at 31:44.

On defence in Canada West stats, Manitoba is third in passing yards per game at 267.0 while Calgary sits first at 174.7 while in rushing yards per game, the Herd are first at 135.3 and the Dinos are second at 138.0. In interceptions, Manitoba is third with four while Calgary is first at eight. In fumble recoveries, Manitoba is tied for first with three while Calgary tied for fifth with one.

In conference sacks, Manitoba is first with ten while the Dinos are tied for third with five. In sacks allowed, Manitoba has allowed six while Calgary has allowed three.

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.

Canada West football results so far in 2014:

Date            Place of game        Result

Sept. 5         Calgary                     Calgary 71 Alberta 3

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

Other Canada West football games this weekend:

Sept. 27         Saskatchewan at Regina     2:00 PM MDT

Sept. 27         Alberta at UBC                     2:00 PM PDT

BISON FOOTBALL PLAYERS CLOSE TO TEAM CAREER MILESTONES

• Head coach Brian Dobie (1996-present) is coaching his 147th conference regular season game at Manitoba (77-67-1-1) plus 165th 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 ninth with 1,124 yards and just past tenth place Stu Schollaardt ('08-11: 1,116). In eight spot is Bison coach now Blair Atkinson ('03-05: 1,143) – only 19 yards away.
• Demski is also third in receiving yard average per catch at 16.8. 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 884, 37 yards back of third (David Courtemanche '91-93: 943) plus sixth in kickoff returns at 36 attempts. 
• Lauren Kroeker (2010-14) is now eighth in total tackles with 134.5. He past tenth place (Terry Staroba '95-98: 132 and Jeff Alamolhoda '03-07: 132) and ninth place Mike Howard ('03-07: 133) and closing in on seventh place Pate Adams ('08-11: 135.0) and 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. Calgary last 18 seasons

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

September 26, 2014

Calgary vs. Manitoba TBD at Calgary

November 9, 2013 (CW Final)

Calgary 43 Manitoba 28 at Calgary

September 20, 2013

Calgary 48 Manitoba 24 at Calgary

November 3, 2012 (CW Semi-Final)

Calgary 57 Manitoba 18 at Calgary 

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