CALGARY, AB – The Manitoba Bisons are headed back to the postseason.
Powered by a dominant ground game, four field goals from kicker Maya Turner and a defence that forced three first-quarter interceptions, Manitoba secured a Canada West playoff berth with a 33-11 victory over the Calgary Dinos on Saturday afternoon at McMahon Stadium.
The win improves the Bisons to 4-3 on the season and clinches a Canada West playoff berth, while Calgary falls to 2-5.
Manitoba set the tone early, capitalizing on three Calgary turnovers in the opening quarter to build a 13-0 lead. Linebacker Nic Pereira, defensive back Dario Macchia and halfback Carter Dallas each recorded interceptions, helping the Bisons control field position throughout the first half.
The Bisons' offence leaned heavily on a rushing attack that piled up 248 yards. Aidan Wiberg led the way with 123 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, including a game-sealing 39-yard scoring run with 2:42 remaining. Ishe Matanga added 97 yards on 17 carries as Manitoba averaged 7.1 yards per rush.
Manitoba opened the scoring on Turner's 26-yard field goal before rookie quarterback Cole Anseeuw connected with Mikun Odunuga on a five-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter. Turner added field goals from 12, 36 and 11 yards as the Bisons carried a 16-7 lead into halftime.
Calgary chipped away with a pair of field goals and three singles, cutting the deficit to 19-9 after three quarters. But Manitoba responded with a methodical 10-play, 75-yard drive that consumed more than five minutes, capped by Wiberg's four-yard touchdown run early in the fourth.
The Dinos threatened to make things interesting late in the game, driving inside the Manitoba 10-yard line before linebacker Matthew Gillespie forced a fumble that was recovered by Destiny Okedara at the seven-yard line. The turnover preserved a 26-9 lead and shifted momentum firmly back to the visitors.
Anseeuw finished 11-for-21 passing for 122 yards and a touchdown while adding 28 rushing yards. Odunuga led Manitoba receivers with two catches for 19 yards and a touchdown, while Nathan Udoh added 34 receiving yards.
Defensively, Pereira recorded a team-high seven tackles and an interception, while Kaleb Mackie-Mcleod, Riley Ashley and Gillespie each had six tackles. Connor Brindley added a sack as Manitoba held Calgary to 301 yards of total offence and kept the Dinos out of the end zone.
The victory secured the Herd a playoff berth but the team will not host in the first round. Where they play will be decided by next week's final regular season games.
The Bisons will be at home for that game on October 31 at Princess Auto Stadium. Kick off is at 2 p.m. The team will celebrate their graduating athletes in a special pre-game ceremony. Tickets are available here.
