WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons delivered a dramatic victory on Saturday afternoon, edging the Calgary Dinos 38-36 in a double-overtime Canada West battle on Murray Field at Dakota Collegiate. 

Playing their first off-site football game in 20 years, the Bisons were greeted by a near-capacity St. Vital crowd whose support help spur big moments throughout the game. 

The Bisons were in control early, built a sizeable first-half lead, then survived a furious Calgary comeback before prevailing in the second overtime period when the Dinos were unable to convert on what would have been a game-tying two-point attempt.

Manitoba's offense piled up 430 yards and 28 first downs, led by quarterback Cole Anseeuw, who completed 23 of 36 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns while adding 26 rushing yards. Running back Ishe Matanga turned in a massive performance with 72 rushing yards, 33 receiving yards and three total touchdowns. 

The Bisons struck first in the opening quarter after Nic Pereira intercepted Calgary quarterback David Jordan and returned the ball to the Dinos' 48-yard line. Manitoba capitalized on the turnover, marching downfield before Anseeuw found Nathan Udoh in the end zone for a six-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Calgary responded with a safety and a single off a missed field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3, but Manitoba regained control in the second quarter. Udoh hauled in his second touchdown reception of the day on a nine-yard strike from Anseeuw, and Matanga later added an 11-yard receiving touchdown to help the Bisons build a 21-3 advantage.

The Dinos began clawing back before halftime, finishing off a 101-yard drive with an Evan Smith rushing touchdown to make it 21-10 heading into the break.

Momentum swung in Calgary's favour after halftime. A forced fumble on the opening kickoff of the third quarter set the stage for the visitors, who scored on a quick two-play drive capped by Jordan's 18-yard touchdown pass to Zion Grant. Later in the quarter, Boaz Comeau connected on a field goal to trim Manitoba's lead to just 21-20.

The Bisons answered with their longest scoring drive of the afternoon. Starting at their own four-yard line, Manitoba marched 106 yards on 13 plays, consuming more than seven minutes before Anseeuw connected with Matanga for an eight-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The two-point convert was unsuccessful, leaving the home side ahead 27-20.

Calgary refused to go away.

With under four minutes remaining, De'Von Young intercepted a Manitoba pass and returned it 49 yards to the Bisons' 20-yard line. The Dinos capitalized, punching the ball in on a one-yard run by Jet Zakrzewski to pull within a point. The Boaz Comeau convert was good to tie the game in the final minutes. 

Neither side could find the winning points in regulation. In the first overtime, Calgary and Manitoba exchanged field goals, with Maya Turner converting from 36 yards to match the Dinos and force a second extra frame.

The second overtime delivered even more drama.

Manitoba struck first when Anseeuw connected with Mikun Odunuga for a 28-yard gain to the three-yard line before Matanga finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Anseeuw then completed the two-point convert on a pass to Odunuga, who lost his defender for the clean reception. The reception gave the Bisons a 38-30 advantage and putting the pressure squarely on Calgary.

Facing third-and-16 following a sack by Matthew Gillespie, Calgary converted with a 19-yard completion to Matt Sibley before Jordan found Mathieu Clarke for a 10-yard touchdown. Needing two points to extend the game, Calgary's conversion pass fell incomplete in coverage by Pereira, sealing a 38-36 Manitoba victory.

Udoh led all Bisons receivers with nine catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns, while Odunuga added six receptions for 88 yards. On the ground, Matanga scored three touchdowns, and Aidan Wiberg contributed 63 rushing yards. Defensively, Dario Macchia recorded eight tackles and a sack, while Gillespie added nine tackles and delivered the critical sack in the second overtime period. 

The win improves Manitoba to 2-1 on the season as the team looks to improve to 3-0 at home next weekend against UBC on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. The game also marks homecoming, a day long of family-friendly programming at the Bisons Block Party and starting with a Bisons soccer game at 12:30 p.m. also at Princess Auto Stadium. Tickets are free for the full day and can be claimed online here.