Homecoming week may be on the horizon, but save your cheers for the TV and laptop screens this weekend — all of Manitoba's in-season teams are on the road.

For No. 8 Bisons football, it's an opportunity to get back on track after a loss to Calgary, as they take some good history into Foote Field — a facility they haven't lost in since 2014 — to take on the Alberta Golden Bears. Women's soccer, meanwhile, are headed further west as they play Fraser Valley and No. 3 Trinity Western.

That, and what else to look forward to, in our weekend preview.

Football – Friday, September 13 at Alberta – 8 PM CDT

GAME NOTES
WATCH: CanadaWest.TV
LIVE STATS
UPDATES: follow @MBBisons on Twitter

While the No. 8 ranked Manitoba Bisons (1-1) are coming off their first loss of the season, spirits are high heading into a Week 3 matchup with the Alberta Golden Bears (1-1) at Foote Field.

The Bisons may have lost 24-10 at No. 4 Calgary last Friday but feel confident after holding the defending Hardy Cup finalists — and a team that hasn't lost a regular season game since 2017 — to a scoreless second half. That's just the third time since the 2013 Vanier Cup that Calgary has been shut out for an entire half.

Special teams have also an area of strength for Manitoba through two weeks of Canada West action. Running back and return specialist Michael Ritchott racked up 190 return yards against Calgary (135 on kick returns, 55 on punts) and currently sits third in U SPORTS in kick return yards per game (33.9) and first in punt return yards per game (22.0). For his performance against the Dinos, Ritchott was named the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week.

Meanwhile, the aerial attack has been key for the Golden Bears this season, as they rank seventh in U SPORTS in passing yards per completion (13.4). Quarterback Brad Launhardt has been efficient as well, passing for 577 yards with a 58.1 per cent completion rate through two weeks. Interceptions have been an issue, however, as Launhardt has four.

Women's Soccer – September 13 vs. Fraser Valley (7:30 PM), September 14 vs. TWU (7 PM)

WATCH: CanadaWest.TV
LIVE STATS
UPDATES: Follow @BisonWSOC on Twitter

After a weekend split at home to start their 2019 season, Bisons soccer heads out west for their first road series. They'll take on the Fraser Valley Cascades (0-1-1) on Friday and the defending Canada West champion No. 3 Trinity Western Spartans (1-0-1) on Saturday.

While Manitoba felt some disappointment giving up a 1-0 lead to Saskatchewan in their home opener — eventually losing 1-2 — they have to be reassured by the play of their first-years through two matches. Winnipeg midfielder Jessica Tsai was particularly impactful, scoring a goal and marking three assists in two matches. The performances have her in the conference lead for assists (3) and in a tie for first in points (4).

This weekend, Manitoba will be challenged by two quality west coast teams, beginning with Fraser Valley on Friday. The Cascades ranked seventh in the preseason coaches' poll, but looked better than that in a 1-1 draw with No. 10 UBC last Saturday — a match where the Thunderbirds needed a goal late to escape with points. Fraser Valley returns midfielder Brittney Zacharuk this season, a team captain who had a remarkable 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) in 2018.

On Saturday, a steep test presents itself in the No. 3 Trinity Western Spartans. While they've already experienced some disappointment with a 0-0 draw in their season opener at UBC, the Spartans are packed with talent. The top team in the conference's preseason poll are expecting a big year from fifth-year midfielder Jenaya Robertson, who had six goals last season and already scored one in a 3-2 win over Victoria.

Men's Golf – King's Walk Invite (Sept. 15-16)

Bisons men's golf will also compete this weekend, as they send two teams to Grand Forks for the King's Walk Fall Invite, an event they have recent success in. Last year, Devon Schade won the event while Jeff Bleue finished in a tie for fifth.

Veteran Bisons hoping to repeat history will be third-year Cameron McIntyre, who was the top Bison at last weekend's Pioneer Creek Collegiate (+2, T19) and fifth-year Josh Neufeld, who finished T31 (+5).

Notes from the Range

• In his time with the Bisons, fourth-year Brock Gowanlock has dropped 90 pounds and moved from defensive tackle to end. Find out the changes he made and how it's helped him become a top-tier CFL prospect.
• Bisons women's soccer founders Walt McKee and Gary Johnson look back at the program's first 15 years, talking about how it all started and how far it's come.
• The Bisons Wall of Recognition is officially up in the Extended Education hallway. Be sure to take a look while you're on campus.