Lifted by a dramatic 21-17 win over the Regina Rams in their Homecoming Game, the Manitoba Bisons football team continue their season on the road Friday as they take on the Alberta Golden Bears.

The matchup kicks off at 8 p.m. CDT at Foote Field and can be streamed live on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.

After only meeting once in 2019, the Bisons and Bears continue that routine this season, with both squads coming off Week 1 victories. Alberta trounced the UBC Thunderbirds last Saturday, winning 44-19. The last matchup between these two — played on September 13, 2019 — came right down to the wire, as Brad Launhardt connected with Daniel Bubelenyi for a 30-yard go ahead touchdown with six seconds left.

Manitoba comes into this game hoping their defense can take the edge off a team that just scored 44 points. The Bisons held the Rams scoreless in the second half of their season opener, with fifth-year defensive end Brock Gowanlock scooping up a fumble for a 31-yard touchdown, giving the Bisons their first lead — and one they wouldn't give up. Gowanlock was named Canada West's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance, which also included seven tackles overall and 1.5 tackles for loss. Manitoba also got excellent play from their secondary — linebacker Stefan Conway, corner Marcel Arruda-Welch, and free safety Stephen Adamopoulos combined for six pass breakups in the win.

On offense, Manitoba received the worst news possible after their fifth-year quarterback — and starter for the better part of four seasons — Des Catellier limped off the field after being tackled on a slide in the third quarter of the Rams game. Catellier suffered a severe lower body injury in the collision and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

That means first-year pivot Jackson Tachinski, who's in his third year with the program after redshirting for both the Bisons football and men's basketball teams in 2019, is set to take over starting duties. Tachinski was solid in just over a quarter of play on Saturday, going 4-for-9 for 38 yards, rushing for 15 yards, and throwing an important first down pickup to Macho Bockru to get the Bisons excellent field position. The 6'4" Aggie will be tested in his first full game, though, as he lines up behind an offensive front made up of his rookie peers.

Look for Tachinski's skill players to pick up some of the slack for the Bisons. Fifth-year wideout Macho Bockru had 45 yards receiving in Week 1, while surprise standout Kai Madsen made himself available on some long bombs — connecting with Catellier on one for a 51-yard touchdown.

After this game, the Bisons are on the conference bye. They continue their season at IG Field on Saturday, October 16 as they take on the U SPORTS No. 1 and defending Vanier Cup champion Calgary Dinos at 1 p.m.

View the full game notes for this Week 2 matchup.

MATCHUP HEADLINES

• Despite last season's loss, Manitoba is 7-3 in their last ten games against the Golden Bears. That includes a four-game win streak between 2015 and 2016, ended by an infamous seven overtime showdown — one the Bisons won 67-59. The two teams haven't met in the playoffs for 16 years, with their last Canada West semi-final coming back in 2005.

HOOFPRINTS: MANITOBA BISONS (1-0)

LAST WEEK: W 21-17, Sep. 25 vs. Regina
NEXT WEEK: Bye

• Special Teams: After a 2019 season where he broke the program record for kick return yards, running back Michael Ritchott was back to racking up special teams yards in Week 1, getting 73 as the lead kick returner. He's joined this year by Marcel Arruda-Welch, a speedster who last played for the Bisons in 2018. Arruda-Welch had 86 punt return yards in the win over Regina. Manitoba is currently fourth in U SPORTS in both kick and punt return average per game.

HOOFPRINTS: ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (1-0)

LAST WEEK: W 44-19, Sep. 25 vs. UBC
NEXT WEEK: Bye

• Moving and Scoring: The Golden Bears could not be stopped in their win over UBC once inside the red zone. The team went 4-for-4 on scores once they got down into the opponent's area. They also did a good job continuing drives, racking up 25 first downs — good for fourth in U SPORTS at this early stage of the season.