Dinos embark on road to conference four-peat

Not much is certain as the University of Calgary Dinos prepare to defend their Canada West championship for the third straight season, but one thing is for sure: the 2011 campaign will not end at PEPS Stadium in Quebec City.
After winning Canada West’s Hardy Cup each of the last three seasons, the Dinos invariably headed to the Université Laval campus – for the Uteck Bowl in 2008 and the Vanier Cup in 2009 and 2010 – and all three times made the long journey back to the visitors’ locker room empty-handed.

In 2011 the Vanier Cup heads west, crossing the Rockies for the first time on its way to BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and Grey Cup weekend. The Dinos would dearly love to spend a late-November week in the Lower Mainland – but the road is an arduous one.

“Every game, every week, every year in Canada West is a battle, and it’s going to be that way again in 2011,” said Calgary head coach Blake Nill, who’s about to begin his sixth season patrolling the sidelines at McMahon Stadium. “We’ve been fortunate enough to win some close games over the years, but it’s always tough to do it again because every team in this conference is so competitive.”

The team takes the field Saturday for the start of fall training camp without the services of eight former conference all-stars, seven of whom were also All-Canadians – including a two-time national MVP quarterback. Erik Glavic, Andrea Bonaventura, Anthony DesLauriers, and Aaron Ifield each exhausted their CIS eligibility last season, while Anthony Parker, Nathan Coehoorn, Paul Swiston, and Alex Krausnick-Groh each stuck with their respective Canadian Football League teams after Calgary’s outstanding showing in the CFL Draft in May.

It’s a significant amount of turnover for any program – but with another solid recruiting year, a sophomore quarterback who turned heads in his rookie season, and three returning All-Canadians, the Dinos are ready to make a run for it all.

Here’s a position-by-position look as the Dinos prepare for the 2011 season:

OFFENCE

The Dinos’ strength has been the offence in years past, with many big play threats able to out-score the opposition and make up for defensive miscues. Under new offensive coordinator Greg DeLaval, who takes over from Greg Vavra, Nill expects a more controlled, balanced approach to the offence.

“The offence remains intact for the most part, at least schematically,” said Nill. “There’s a lot of similar stuff between what Coach Vavra ran and what Coach DeLaval runs – in fact, Coach DeLaval helped design the offence before he went to Toronto. You’ll see more of a ball-control offence this year with less emphasis on the big play – and that will help us because of the personnel that we’ve lost. We’re missing a lot of guys that made a lot of big plays for us over the years.”

Nill hired DeLaval away from the University of Toronto, where he was instrumental in resurrecting the Varsity Blues in his stint as head coach. DeLaval returns to his hometown this year and re-takes his place among the ranks of the Dinos coaching staff, which he served as an assistant in 2006 and 2007.

“The guys are excited about this year though, and I have a lot of faith in Coach DeLaval. He’s proven himself to be a very good coach, and we still have some big weapons.”

Quarterback

Key returnee: CIS rookie of the year Eric Dzwilewski, Adam Ballingall
Key loss: two-time Hec Crighton winner Erik Glavic
Key additions: Andrew Buckley, Jimmy Underdahl, coach Greg DeLaval

The loss of two-time national MVP Erik Glavic is softened somewhat by the performance of reigning CIS rookie of the year Eric Dzwilewski, who went 4-1 as a starter in 2010 when Glavic was out with a knee injury. He’s the likely opening-day starter in 2011, but there should be a good battle for the backup spot. Redshirt freshman Adam Ballingall will join newcomers Andrew Buckley and Jimmy Underdahl, both of whom were Alberta Senior Bowl selections in 2011. In addition to his offensive coordinator duties, Coach DeLaval will double as the quarterbacks coach.

Coach Nill: “A lot was put on Eric (Dzwilewski) last year, and he handled it very well. He’s ready to go, and we have some awesome athletes around him as receivers, running backs, and offensive linemen that will support him and assist in his continued development. As well, we have Andrew Buckley and Jimmy Underdahl, who are both highly-touted out of high school, and they’re both great athletes, as is Adam Ballingall. We have four very good young quarterbacks in camp.”

Running Back

Key returnees: Matt Walter, Steven Lumbala, Anthony Woodson
Key loss: Andrew Kay
Key additions: Denzel Morrison

Of all the positions on the offence, running back is where the Dinos enjoy the least turnover heading into 2011. Matt Walter returns for his fifth year after starring for Team Canada at the world football championships in Austria and needs just 312 yards to become the school’s all-time leading rusher. He’s already the Dinos’ career leader in touchdowns with 30 and could become just the ninth player in CIS history to record 4,000 career rushing yards. Walter is joined by fellow fifth-year back Anthony Woodson, who will rotate through the tailback and slotback positions, along with third-year man Steven Lumbala – the MVP of last year’s Mitchell Bowl win over Saint Mary’s.

Coach Nill: “Matt has had an outstanding career with us, and it’s great to have him back for his last year. You’ll probably see Anthony Woodson get some more touches this year, and Steven Lumbala is another outstanding running back. The running game is so important because it sets up the entire offence, and we have a very solid group of backs that will establish the run in a big way for us.”

Receivers

Key returnees: Chris Dobko, Anthony Woodson, Richard Snyder, Taylor Nill, Adam Osterling
Key losses: Anthony Parker, Nathan Coehoorn
Key additions: Jake Harty, Kyle Brick

The offence loses two first-round CFL draft picks in Anthony Parker and Nathan Coehoorn – both big-play guys that accounted for nearly half of Calgary’s receiving yards in 2010. Stepping into the void is Jake Harty, who starred with the Calgary Colts last year, averaging better than 17 yards per catch. Richard Snyder, who starred in the 2009 Hardy Cup with 222 receiving yards, should become more of a factor in the offence as well.

Coach Nill: “It’s an opportunity for some guys to step up this year – guys like Richard Snyder and Taylor Nill. Chris Dobko looks really strong heading into camp, and I think that Adam Osterling will be a player for us this year after battling injuries last season. And Jake Harty will be a big contributor for us, bringing back some of that big-play capability we lost with Anthony and Nathan.”

Offensive Line

Key returnees: Kirby Fabien, Quinn McCaughan, Reed Alexander, Carson Rockhill, Sean Gott
Key losses: Alex Krausnick-Groh, Paul Swiston
Key additions: Sukh Chungh

Departed to the CFL are centre Alex Krausnick-Groh (Saskatchewan) and left tackle Paul Swiston (Winnipeg), last season’s Canada West outstanding lineman. However, Carson Rockhill is ready to step in at tackle, and Sean Gott is a veteran on the interior. Depth on the O-line could be a concern, but there are several promising young players continuing to develop who will be key to the Dinos’ future along the line of scrimmage.

Coach Nill: “The seven O-linemen we can put out there are as good as any in CIS, even with the two guys we lost to the CFL. Carson Rockhill has great footwork and just needs to gain some experience, and Sean Gott is a veteran who battled some injuries last year but is ready to step in to a starter’s spot. We have some outstanding young players continuing to develop like Branden Stevens and Grant Potter, and Sukh Chungh is a big body that I’m looking forward to seeing on the field for us.”

Kickers

Key returnee: Johnny Mark
Key loss: Aaron Ifield
Key additions: Kevan Hafichuk

Aaron Ifield’s final field goal in 2010 from 51 yards was his 71[SUP]st[/SUP], setting a new CIS career record. After five seasons of stability in the kicking game, the Dinos are in search of their next workhorse in this key position. Johnny Mark redshirted under Ifield last year and has a promising leg, while newcomer Kevan Hafichuk pulled double duty with the Calgary Colts as both a kicker and a defensive back.

Coach Nill: “It’s always difficult to replace a fifth-year guy at a position like kicker, but I’m expecting some good competition. Johnny Mark was with us last year and has continued to develop, while Kevan Hafichuk really stood out last year kicking for the Colts and could give us some roster flexibility as a defensive back as well.”

DEFENCE

Nill took over and completely overhauled the defence last year, and after some growing pains early the defensive unit rounded into form late in the season and will continue to build on that in 2011. The secondary unit is experienced, while 2010 Canada West defensive player of the year Sam Hurl anchors a linebacking corps that is fast and athletic.

“I think our defence should have a great year, especially having a year with the new system already,” said Nill. “We have very good players defensively, and we’ll count on them to hold us in games this year and carry some more of the weight. And they showed indications late last year that they can do that.”

Defensive Line

Key returnees: Linden Gaydosh, Martin Kalonji, Josh Symons, Mike Klassen, Mike Forzani
Key loss: Carlos Guglielmi
Key additions: Alex Ogbongbemiga, coach Pat MacDonald

The Dinos welcome former NFLer and CFLer Pat MacDonald to the coaching staff in 2011, replacing Mitch Beazer as the defensive line coach. MacDonald, who played CIS football at the University of Alberta, spent time as a long snapper with New Orleans, Carolina, and Seattle in the NFL along with CFL stints in Winnipeg and Calgary.

The defensive line remains mostly intact, anchored by 2009 CIS rookie of the year Linden Gaydosh along with Josh Symons, who played for Canada at the world championship this summer. Mike Forzani and Mike Klassen will look to move into the rotation this year, while Alex Ogbongbemiga is an intriguing transfer after a redshirt season with the University of Houston.

Coach Nill: “Coach MacDonald will bring a different approach. He’s an intense guy, and I think the players are going to feed off that and appreciate learning from a guy that’s been there. We had a good recruiting year on the D-line, but they’re mostly young kids. Alex Ogbongbemiga is a speed guy that could help us right away, but the other newcomers are guys we’ll build for the future with.

“Mike Klassen out of Rundle College is coming into his third year now, and he’s definitely big and strong enough to play. Mike Forzani has worked hard in the summer to get in shape and has continued to mature and develop, and we’re hoping he has a good camp.”

Linebackers

Key returnees: Sam Hurl, Adam Driedger, Travis Payne, Cory Roboch
Key losses: Andrea Bonaventura, Geoff Paiement
Key additions: Jordan Verdone, Zach McNeill, Tom Black

A trio of newcomers join a solid returning group led by Hurl, Adam Driedger, and Travis Payne at linebacker. Jordan Verdone was the 2008 CIS rookie of the year and transfers from the University of Waterloo, while Zach McNeill moves up after a solid five-year junior career which he capped off by earning the Calgary Colts’ team MVP honour in 2010. And Tom Black out of Oak Park High School in Winnipeg returns north of the border to join the Dinos after redshirting with Oregon State.

Coach Nill: “The three linebackers coming in are going to impact right away. Jordan Verdone is a former CIS rookie of the year, and Zach McNeill from the Colts is very good and will battle for a starting spot. I also think that Cory Roboch out of Bowness High School will compete this year as well, after redshirting last season.”

Secondary

Key returnees: Tye Noble, Brian Hagen, Michael Lau, Chudi Nzekwu, Doctor Cassama
Key losses: Steve Truzak, Anthony DesLauriers
Key additions: Mike Edem, Jesse Zimmer

Tye Noble and Doc Cassama at the halfback spots along with Mike Lau and Chudi Nzekwu at the corners anchor a veteran secondary unit under Coach Marcello Rapini. The safety spot looks to be up for grabs, and a pair of talented transfers from McGill University – Mike Edem and Jesse Zimmer – will look to crack the roster.

Coach Nill: “The secondary is probably the most experienced unit on our defence this year. The continued development of Doc (Cassama) is important for us in the secondary, and we have guys like Tye Noble and Mike Lau that are just steady back there. The main competition is going to be at free safety with guys like Mike Edem and Jesse Zimmer who both transferred from McGill. Both these guys are big, athletic defensive backs and we’re very fortunate to have guys like this coming in and competing for jobs.”

2011 DINOS FOOTBALL CAMP – WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

Media availability with players and coaches will immediately follow all practices and games. Please contact Ben Matchett to coordinate availability at other times.

Morning practices will normally be held on the McMahon practice field but may be moved inside the stadium, pending availability.

Thursday, Aug. 18 – Friday, Aug. 19
Meetings and medicals. No media availability.

Saturday, Aug. 20
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Practice, McMahon Stadium

Sunday, Aug. 21 – Thursday, Aug, 25
9:30-11 a.m. Practice 1, McMahon Stadium
6-8 p.m. Practice 2, McMahon Stadium

Friday, Aug. 26
1-3 p.m. Practice, McMahon Stadium

Saturday, Aug. 27
4:30 p.m. Rookie scrimmage: Dinos vs. Alberta, MEGlobal Athletic Park, Lacombe, Alta.
6 p.m. Non-conference game: Dinos vs. Alberta, MEGlobal Athletic Park, Lacombe, Alta.

2011 DINOS FOOTBALL SEASON SCHEDULE (all times MT)
Saturday, Sept. 3 @ Manitoba, 12 p.m., University Stadium (Shaw TV, qr77.com)
Friday, Sept. 9 vs. UBC, 7 p.m., McMahon Stadium (video webcast)
Friday, Sept. 16 @ Regina, 7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium (QR77, qr77.com)
Friday, Sept. 23 vs. Saskatchewan, 7 p.m., McMahon Stadium (QR77, video webcast)
Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. Alberta, 1 p.m., McMahon Stadium (Shaw TV, QR77)
Friday, Oct. 14 @ Saskatchewan, 7 p.m., Griffiths Stadium
Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Manitoba, 1 p.m., McMahon Stadium (qr77.com, video webcast)
Saturday, Oct. 29 @ UBC, 3 p.m., Thunderbird Stadium (qr77.com)
Friday, Nov. 4 – Canada West Semi-final (Shaw TV)
Friday, Nov. 11 – 75[SUP]th[/SUP] Hardy Cup
Friday, Nov. 18 – CIS Mitchell Bowl: Quebec Champion @ Canada West Champion (TSN)
Friday, Nov. 25 –Vanier Cup: Mitchell Bowl Champ vs. Uteck Bowl Champ @ BC Place, Vancouver (TSN)