The emotions after the game were raw, and real.

The score board read 28-25, Regina. It was the first of back-to-back playoff road wins for the 3-5, No. 4 seed Rams, who went on to become the first team in Canada West history to win the Hardy Cup with a regular season record under .500.

With 4:52 to play, one drive after Manitoba had taken the lead on a 58-yard Breydon Stubbs touchdown rush, the Rams stole the contest. They went 101 yards in 11 plays on a season-saving drive that included a conversion on third and 12 from the Bisons 25.

Countless student-athletes on Manitoba's side wore their hearts on their sleeves following the game. Spread across Princess Auto Stadium, they hugged each other, cried and gave themselves some time alone to process what just occurred.

On the turf at the 20-yard line, Stubbs collected his thoughts, letting it all out.

Roughly 50 yards away, receiver Vaughan Lloyd sat on the home bench by himself, as the fans trickled out of the stadium.

As the minutes ticked by, sadness turned to motivation.

It came in a variety of ways, from a variety of people. 

Still on the field, third-year receiver Nathan Udoh and fifth-year CFL Draft pick AK Gassama shared a powerful embrace, tears flowing.

It was Udoh – a multiple-year starter – who'd put up a career-high 57 yards in the contest. It wasn't lost on him what the game meant, and the people around him, such as the pass-catcher Gassama (playing in his final U SPORTS game) who'd had such an impact in his development.

Gassama, one of the most accomplished student-athletes in school history, was a massive part of Udoh's growth not only as a football player, but as a man. They loved and cared for each other and they pushed each other, and the same could be said for everyone else in that locker room.

"It was definitely just raw emotion, when we hugged it was just tears from both of us," said Udoh.

"I remember telling him, I'm so sorry and he was the one telling me it's okay. We talked about what this means now, and that it's my time to take it over and to never stop driving and fighting for this. He told me it's been a pleasure to see me grow in the program, and we're brothers for life."

Not far away, the entire group of running backs, both players and coaches, lifted Stubbs up, literally and figuratively, from the position he was in.

Stubbs did something incredible in 2024, breaking a 29-year single season rushing touchdown record within the program. He was reminded of all he'd endured, the commitment he'd given.

Keep your head up, was the message. Stand proud in what you accomplished.

Together, arm in arm, the group shared a powerful moment as a family.

Not long after, running backs coach Kienan LaFrance made his way over to where Lloyd was sitting on the bench.

A Grey Cup, and Hardy Cup champion (for Manitoba), LaFrance's message of optimism to Lloyd spoke volumes. He'd been in his shoes, he understood what he was going through. He reminded him that this is not the end.

Shortly after, Lloyd – helmet still on – lifted up his head, which had previously been buried in his chest. Like he's done many times before in his life when faced with extreme adversity, he said two words. They're two words that he has tattooed on his arm, and they moved mountains.

"KEEP GOING."

'You guys represent it all for me'

In time, every member of Manitoba's roster walked back to the locker room. They were joined by their leader, their head coach Brian Dobie.

After 29 years, Dobie had officially coached in his final game as the Herd's bench boss. The team around him wanted to win for each other, but they also wanted to win for their coach, who'd been like a father figure to many.

Dobie understood how they were feeling. He'd been in many experiences just like this one, with many teams of the past.

The 2006 Bisons for example, were undefeated but got upset in the Hardy Cup by Saskatchewan.

On the other end, the 2014 Bisons went on an insane run, qualifying for the playoffs on the final day of the season at 4-4. The ultimate underdogs, they won two straight playoff road games to secure the Hardy Cup, falling 12 yards short with only 37 seconds to play in the national semi-final a week later.

Suffice to say, Dobie had the words when his team may not have. And despite his legendary career coming to a close in less than ideal circumstances, he lifted up the roster, like he's done so many times previous.

"I just want to leave this spot by saying this. This is personal. For me, it's not just Bisons. For me, from the very beginning when I first coached 50 years ago, you guys represent it all for me. That's how it's been for me this whole year. You've represented everybody that I've had the honour to be associated with in this program," he said, holding back tears.

"This is as good as it gets. It's rare that you ever get it that much from a team. You guys did everything right. You were incredible teammates. You created an incredible culture. You fought, you overcame adversity time and time again. Three wins on the last play of the game. Who does that? You did that. You guys represent Bisons football."

Dobie's words rung true.

The veteran student-athletes on the roster, like CFL Draft picks Gassama, Collin Kornelson and Nick Thomas, as well as four-year starters Nick Conway and Stephen Adamopoulos (all fifth-years) helped the Herd advance to the playoffs for a record six straight seasons.

That doesn't happen randomly. It happens when you have a collective unit of leaders who understand the bigger picture, who play the game un-selfishly, and who lead in their own unique ways.

For Gassama, who graduates with the second-most touchdown receptions in school history and is the only receiver to ever earn All-Star status three years in a row at his position, that leadership came vocally.

It came vocally, because it's always been bigger than sport. The connections Gassama – a Sierra Leone, West Africa native – made in football helped form who he was. That's never been lost on him.

The longest-serving member of the offence, he felt an obligation, a responsibility and a loyalty to give all of himself to his teammates, because of all the sport had given to him.

"A lot of those people became my best friends. After school my parents were working. That was a lot of my life. There was never one time where I was like I'm going to go home and chill today. I was always doing something. The football community embraced me so much."

On the other side of the ball, the same could be said for linebacker Nick Thomas, also an eight-year veteran of the program.

Despite moving around countless times through foster care when he was younger, Thomas always had a positive outlook. Even when he went through extreme adversity while in the program, he never ceased to lift others up, and to come to the facility with a smile on his face.

His tireless work ethic, and his passion embodied what Bisons football is all about. He will graduate the program with a degree in hand, as well as the honour of being drafted into the CFL. Statistically, his 152 regular season tackles are the tenth-most in school history.

But his legacy is far bigger than numbers, it's about character, embracing hard times and pushing forward, lessons his teammates will not forget.

"All I ever remember seeing of Nick in my entire time recruiting him, and my entire time working here, when I think of Nick Thomas, I think of him smiling," beamed Dobie.

"It makes you check yourself about empathy, about sympathy, about understanding."

"I'm not going to let [my support system] down no matter what I do. That's family. It would be a shame if I didn't go my hardest," Thomas added.
 
"I don't know where I'd be without everyone in the Bisons program, but I'm just thankful that I do have the opportunity to be here."

Other fifth-years like Kornelson, Adamopoulos and Conway, led with their actions, calmly and confidently doing whatever was asked of them.

Kornelson earned All-Star status as a do-it-all defensive lineman who didn't need to scream and yell to get his point across. He just strapped on his helmet, and solidified the line of scrimmage, helping Manitoba lead Canada West in total takeaways.

A local talent, his grit, perseverance and dedication no matter the obstacle exemplify what the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba are all about.

Meanwhile, Conway was a no-nonsense guy and no moment was too big.

An All-Star during his time with the Bisons, he recorded the game-saving pass break-up against Alberta in a 24-23 homecoming win, one of three final play victories during the 2024  season that Dobie previously brought up.

And then there's Adamopoulos.

Along with Conway and fourth-year senior Jarrett Alcaraz, the trio combined for 41 career pass break-ups during regular season play. The St. Paul's product's ability to stay calm in big moments – aided by pre-game meditation and mindfulness – spoke volumes when it mattered most.

The year prior, he and Conway combined for a forced fumble, fumble recovery in the final minute against Calgary that got Manitoba to the playoffs, and the following season each player stepped up time and time again to the tune of four interceptions and seven pass break-ups.

"I like to focus before the game and do whatever I have to do to get me into that state," Adamopoulos said.

"Calming down before the game and going through different scenarios, trying to be present is something that I do to get ready to play, and make plays and not be panicking on the field. I want to be in that state where I can just react."

'I am proud of who you are'

All this is to say, that Manitoba's roster is diverse. They drew from each other's experiences and brought out the best in each other.

Not to be lost, is the fact that 75 percent of the group are from Manitoba. They knew each other growing up, and that care and trust could be seen in many avenues.

Quarterback Jackson Tachinski – who's won 15 games as starting quarterback and helped Manitoba to a home playoff game in 2021 and 2024 – said it best prior to 2023 training camp.

"I came here, because I just wanted to win for Manitoba. I love my province, I love my city. I think it would be the coolest thing to win for Manitoba. I bet you every other quarterback in that room has the same thinking. They just want to win for their home province, their home city. I think that brings some passion that's really good for our football team."

Tachinski – the Player of the Year in Canada West – has never been short on confidence during his time at Manitoba, and that unwavering belief in his teammates was never more clear than a 26-point comeback victory against Alberta in week six, the largest in school history.

"No guard is going to win this game, no rush end is going to win this game, no defensive back is going to win this game. There's only one guy who's going to win this game, and you're capable of winning the game," Dobie said at the time of Tachinski.

"With all due respect, all the pressure is on you. And I know that you can handle the pressure. [. . .] Everybody doesn't have that in them, and every quarterback truly, certainly doesn't have that in them. That's one of the biggest reasons his teammates respond to him the way that they do. They just trust him and believe in him."

Just like they did that day, Tachinski and the Bisons will continue to handle the pressure, and the adversity thrown at them, no matter what.

And while key members will graduate, the core of Manitoba's roster returns in 2025.

They will remember the 2024 season for all it brought, the highs and the lows. They will remember the 7-1 record in the regular season, the best in 17 years. They will remember the 2,018 rushing yards, a school record. And of course, they will remember the sting of loss, but more than anything else, they will remember what it's like to be there for each other.

Their head coach, in his final words of the season, said it best.

"This program is my life, and my family. That won't change for me. But to be able to go through this with a team like this, in terms of this team's culture, this is the most un-selfish group of young men and woman that I've ever experienced in 50 years. You are really, really good people. I am proud to be associated with you. I am proud to say that I coached you. I am proud to say that you are Bisons. I am proud of who you are."