WINNIPEG — No question about it: this was an emotional week for the Manitoba Bisons football team. Already dealing with a long-term injury to their fifth-year quarterback Des Catellier, Manitoba was dealt a gut punch mid-week, learning of the death of their receivers coach Scott Naujoks to cancer at just 29 years old.
Football can be a great healer, though — and at least for one night, the team was able to siphon all that emotion into their play on the field.
Led by a quarterback making his first U SPORTS start, the Bisons exploded to a 24-2 halftime lead against the Golden Bears, eventually finishing off a 31-17 victory at Foote Field.
The win improves the Bisons to 2-0, a big leg up in a shortened six-game season, while Alberta falls to 1-1.
The word for pivot Jackson Tachinski in this game — making his first university start in his third year with the program — was efficient. The Vincent Massey product went 16-for-24 for 180 yards through the air, racking up three touchdowns and just one interception. He was also excellent with his legs, often making the right choice when he needed to take off, leading Manitoba with 75 yards on ten carries.
Tachinski additionally benefited from a great weapon downfield in Gavin Cobb. The fourth-year slotback was all over the field on Friday night, catching two touchdowns in the first quarter and leading all players with 88 yards receiving. On top of that, Cobb had the highlight of the game — a 91-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter to put the Bisons up 21-2.
On the other side, untimely penalties took their toll on the Golden Bears throughout the game. With 141 penalty yards, a fumble lost, and just 16-for-30 passing from three different quarterbacks, Alberta was often searching for answers against a Bisons team that continually stole back momentum.
Of their pivots, second-year Zac Montgomery performed the best, going 4-for-7 for 103 yards — leading Alberta on their best drive of the game to start the second half, which ended in a Montgomery rushing touchdown.
The Golden Bears would sniff at a comeback again late. Trailing 31-9, Alberta drove 60 yards in 13 plays to start the fourth quarter, capping it with a one-yard Brad Launhardt run into the end zone. After a Bisons punt and fumble on the next two drives, the Bears would get the ball into the red zone with a golden chance to cut the lead to one possession. Three straight penalties, though — two objectionable conducts and a time count violation — took them all the way back to the Manitoba 48, essentially ending their hopes at a rally.
The Bisons also deserve credit for sticking with the run throughout the game, winning the battle with 206 net yards on the ground. A committee of Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette (55 yards), Michael Ritchott (44 yards), and Breydon Stubbs (26 yards) all made their presence felt in that facet of the game.
Next up for the Bisons, after a Thanksgiving bye week, is a playoff rematch with the U SPORTS No. 1 Calgary Dinos. Kick-off at IG Field goes at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 16.
