WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons broke a 3-1 game wide open in the second quarter, scoring on their first three drives of the middle frame en route to a one-sided 34-7 blowout win over Alberta.
 
The victory improved Manitoba's record to 2-2, while Alberta fell to 0-4. It's now a log jam for the third to fifth place spots in Canada West, with the Bisons, UBC and Calgary all at 2-2. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs.
 
The win was also the host's seventh in a row at homecoming, which drew approximately 10,000 fans.
 
"Our fans are great, but it's always a little more special to have that type of a crowd watching us play. It's really exciting," said Bisons head coach Stan Pierre.
 
"I got a rush when we came out for the opening before the national anthem. We came out of the tunnel and it kind of just hit you. It always adds a lot."
 
The momentum-shifting play occurred on special teams with Manitoba up by two. Just under four minutes into the second, Aidan Wiberg forced a fumble on an Evan Hirst punt return, and redshirt freshman Matthew Gillespie recovered the loose ball. The Bisons took possession at Alberta's 28, and needed just two plays to score.
 
"I really take special teams seriously," said Gillespie. "I love the game. That's one of my favourite parts, especially kickoff and punt. I love getting down there and making huge hits. It's like a euphoric moment. I love that feeling. Every week I'm going to give it my all every practice to shift the game when we need it."
 
Noah Anderson ran the rock the entire distance following the Bisons takeaway, including a 19-yard carry that set up his nine-yard major, which featured a nasty stiff arm. Anderson finished the day with 64 yards on just six carries – showing his athleticism with a hurdle late in the game that got the fans on their feet. The Herd chunked up 315 yards on the ground overall, paced by offensive linemen Sean Rowe, Carter Moore, Mark Rauhaus, Matt Stokman and Victor Olaniran.
 
"That group has been under fire, I'm not going to lie to you. I've been very critical of their play. They were under performing for what that group is. That's just a picture of what they're capable of," said Pierre of the Herd's veteran offensive line and run game overall.
 
"They're an extremely talented, good group that's extremely physical. I look forward to this being a building block for our team."
 
A Dario Macchia interception -- his third in the last season and a half -- on Alberta's next drive led to another quick score. Quarterback Jackson Tachinski broke away for a 50-yard rush and one play later he found Mula Yitna from three yards out, the second game in a row where Yitna recorded a major.
 
All-Canadian running back Breydon Stubbs capped the second quarter scoring with an 11-yard touchdown, the 24^th of his Bisons career in the regular season. That total moved him into second all-time in school history, ahead of Vanier Cup champ Matt Henry.
 
Stubbs finished with 129 yards rushing on 21 carries, while the Bisons averaged 7.9 yards every time they carried the ball.
 
Alberta's offence featured three different quarterbacks while four players ran the rock. They got on the board on their first drive of the second half, thanks largely to Ope Oshinubi, whose 52 yards on six carries – all in the second half – led the Golden Bears.
 
Oshinubi had 42 yard on four carries to open the third, setting up a ten-yard major to Erik Torhjelm on a dot from Eli Hetlinger.
 
Alberta entered play throwing the ball more than any other team, and they continued to focus on an aerial attack against Manitoba. Carter Kettyle, who leads the conference in yards per catch, continued his big season with eight grabs for 131 yards, while six different players hauled in a pass.
 
But it was simply not enough to match a physical Manitoba defence, and a diverse offensive attack.
 
Seven different Bisons had at least three tackles, while Nic Pereira added to his conference-leading solo tackles total, with five. He now has 24 on the year. Carter Dallas also had the best game of his Bisons career at halfback with six tackles and two pass breakups.
 
Manitoba went to backup quarterback Cole Anseeuw in the second half, and he delivered.
 
The 6'4" redshirt freshman – who didn't play a full season of football until grade eleven – went seven-for-nine for 102 yards, ran for 20 yards and threw his first career U SPORTS passing touchdown to Payton Yakimishyn from seven yards out, rolling to his right to create time, finding the veteran wide open. The major was also Yakimishyn's first U SPORTS score.
 
"We ran a great concept in the red zone, I love it. I rolled to my right and saw Yak wide open and kind of just handed him the ball. I can't ask for much more," said Anseeuw, who was coached in high school by Bisons legend Shane Munson.

"[Playing in the second half], it kind of came out of nowhere. But with our preparation in practice, everyone has been playing great. I felt good, I felt ready. I felt I couldn't be much more prepared for the situation I was given."
 
Anseeuw, who had a sensational summer as part of the CFL Quarterback Internship Program, delivered scoring drives on two of his first three possessions on the field, connecting with four different players.
 
"He managed the game great," Pierre added. "He made some plays when we needed some plays. They came down and scored, he led us to a score. It was a terrific first performance in U SPORTS for him. I'm really happy for him. It was a total team effort."
 
Manitoba heads to Regina next weekend for a huge game against the 3-1 Rams.