Bisons seek third victory in 2011; second to last game played at University Stadium

The Manitoba Bisons football team (2-3) returns from the conference bye and host the Alberta Golden Bears (0-5) at University Stadium on Saturday, October 15 with game time at 1 p.m. CT.

The game can be heard exclusively live on radio at 101.5 FM (umfm.com) with pre-game starting at 12:45 p.m. CT. Derek Taylor will be handling play-by-play with Matt Rollason as the colour commentary.

This is the second of two meetings this season between the two teams with Manitoba winning 22-20 at Alberta on Sept. 10/11. During the last 16 years tenure of head coach Brian Dobie at Manitoba, the Bisons are 9-12-1 in the regular season against Alberta and at home, the Bisons are 5-6 with a loss last season against the Bears.

With only three regular season games left, Manitoba is on the outside looking for a playoff spot. #2 Calgary leads with 5-0 record followed by #7 Saskatchewan and #9 UBC at 3-2 and then Regina at 2-3 in the fourth and final playoff position.

In addition, this is the second last football game to be played at University Stadium. After this season, the Bisons move into the new Stadium being completed on campus that will house both the Bisons and the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

An added wrinkle for this week’s game is that Alberta has activated a new quarterback onto their roster. Second year Ryan Schwartz played at Simon Fraser University in 2010 season and posted 574 yards with 4 TDs and 6 INTs on 49-110 passing in five overall games. Bears fifth year QB Julian Marchand (60-117 with 640 yards and 1 TD and 9 INTs) and second year QB Curtis Dell (27-53 for 316 yards and 2 TDs and 2 INTs) are also still in the mix.

For Manitoba on offence, RB Anthony Coombs is ninth in Canada West rushing yards at 246 and QB Khaleal Williams is second in conference passing with 1196 yards and third with six TD passes. SB Tyson Takasaki is fourth in conference receiving with 308 yards and fifth with 19 receptions while kicker Nick Boyd is second in Canada West scoring with 48 points. Coombs is second in conference all-purpose yards at 756 and RB Nic Demski is sixth at 589 yards. Demski leads Canada West in kick return with 33.1 average and Coombs is third in punt return average at 10.5.

Key Stats : Bison FTB History vs. Alberta last 16 seasons

(Regular season: Bisons 9-12-1, Bisons at home: 5-6-0, Bisons on the road: 4-6-1; Playoffs: 0-1)

Saturday September 10, 2011
Manitoba 22 Alberta 20 at Alberta

Saturday October 23, 2010
Alberta 46 Manitoba 21 at Alberta

Saturday September 11, 2010
Alberta 31 Manitoba 6 at Manitoba

Saturday October 3, 2009
*Alberta 1 Manitoba 0 at Manitoba
(* Forfeited game due to ineligible player)
– The original score was 20-13 Manitoba

Friday September 19, 2008
Manitoba 27 Alberta 17 at Alberta

Saturday October 6, 2007
Manitoba 29 Alberta 16 at Alberta

Saturday September 23, 2006
Manitoba 29 Alberta 14 at Manitoba

Saturday November 5, 2005 (CW Semi)
Alberta 33 Manitoba 24 at Alberta

Saturday October 1, 2005
Alberta 24 Manitoba 14 at Alberta

Saturday October 9, 2004
Alberta 39 Manitoba 25 at Manitoba

Saturday September 20, 2003
Alberta 71 Manitoba 16 at Alberta

Saturday September 28, 2002
Manitoba 30 Alberta 15 at Manitoba

Saturday September 22, 2001
Manitoba 46 Alberta 13 at Manitoba

Saturday October 21, 2000
Manitoba 33 Alberta 23 at Manitoba

Saturday September 9, 2000
Manitoba 17 Alberta 17 at Alberta

Saturday October 30, 1999
Alberta 35 Manitoba 18 at Manitoba

Saturday September 18, 1999
Manitoba 59 Alberta 38 at Alberta

Saturday October 3, 1998
Alberta 28 Manitoba 24 at Alberta

Saturday November 7, 1998
Alberta 20 Manitoba 17 at Manitoba

Saturday September 6, 1997
Manitoba 41 Alberta 31 at Manitoba

Saturday October 11, 1997
Alberta 28 Manitoba 14 at Alberta

Saturday September 21, 1996
Alberta 41 Manitoba 14 at Manitoba

Saturday October 26, 1996
Alberta 44 Manitoba 3 at Alberta