Dinos look to resolve penalty woes vs. T-Birds

CALGARY – While the Dinos equipment staff is still trying to get all the Bison-brown mud stains out of Calgary’s white Under Armour jerseys, one wonders how the Winnipeg officiating crew is making out with their penalty flags.

The orange nylon got a workout last weekend as the Dinos fended off a penalty-aided comeback by the Manitoba Bisons on the quagmire of University Stadium in Winnipeg. The Dinos committed 10 second-half infractions for a total of 91 yards as Manitoba erased a 17-point halftime deficit. It made for an exciting finish, but the 158 total penalty yards doesn’t sit well with the Dinos’ coaching staff.

It’s been a trend through the first four games of the 2010 season, with Calgary giving up an average of 134 yards per game – easily the worst total in the conference. Blake Nill and his 3-1, fourth-ranked Dinos will look to decrease that average Saturday afternoon when they host the UBC Thunderbirds (1-3) at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff goes at 1 p.m.

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The Thunderbirds, by contrast, are the least penalized team in Canada West, having given up just 289 yards in four games – roughly half Calgary’s total.

And yet, the Dinos are 3-1 and the Thunderbirds 1-3. It was Calgary’s running game that got the job done last week in Winnipeg, out-rushing the Bisons by a whopping 355-42 margin. The Dinos have racked up rushing yards at a 3:2 ratio to their opponents, and six players are averaging better than five yards per carry.

The Dinos meet a new-look UBC team that has already made waves under first-year coach Shawn Olson, defeating Saskatchewan on the road in Week 2. Since that peak, however, the ‘Birds lost consecutive games at home to Manitoba and Regina by a combined score of 81-23 – creating yet another crazy statistic in what has been a crazy year in this conference so far: UBC has lost to the three teams Calgary has defeated while beating the one team the Dinos lost to.

Calgary has won the last four meetings between the two programs, dating back to the 2006 season-opener in Vancouver. All-time the Dinos boast a 40-31-2 record against UBC.

Both teams head out on the road after enjoying the conference-wide bye next weekend. The Dinos will get back into action Oct. 15 at Saskatchewan, while UBC will make a second consecutive trip to Wild Rose Country when they face the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton Oct. 16.

Here’s a look at the two sides:

No. 4 Calgary (3-1)

Last week: defeated Manitoba 26-25

Next week: Bye

After bye: at Saskatchewan

It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Dinos continue to get the job done under rookie quarterback Eric Dzwilewski, who is 3-0 as a starter. He has rushed for 229 yards in the last two games, adding yet another wrinkle to the vaunted Calgary offence that really has not had a breakout game yet.

Anthony Woodson, who had such an impressive outing Week 3 in Edmonton, missed the Manitoba game with an ankle injury. Matt Walter finally put up the numbers he’s used to in Winnipeg with 137 yards, but then missed the second half with an ankle injury of his own – becoming the sixth Calgary All-Canadian to miss at least part of a game due to injury this season.

Despite the injuries, the Dinos have somehow managed to post a 3-1 record at the midway point of the season and got some added good news this week with the return of two more All-Canadians to the practice field. Both quarterback Erik Glavic and receiver Anthony Parker strapped on the pads this week for the first time since sustaining their injuries in Week 1 and, while their status for Saturday’s game remains up in the air, their very presence on the field is a positive step.

Defensively, the Dinos are learning their new pressure-heavy system and improving with every quarter. The front seven did an admirable job against the run in Manitoba, holding Matt Henry et al to just 42 yards along the ground. Defensive back Tye Noble sits fourth in Canada West with his average of 6.0 tackles per game, while DB-turned-linebacker Sam Hurl is also in the top 10 with 5.4 tackles per game.

UBC (1-3)

Last week: lost to Regina 41-6

Next week: Bye

After bye: at Alberta

After a close loss in week one and a win over #2 Saskatchewan in week two, the Thunderbirds have struggled to find their rhythm, losing their last two meetings, both at home. UBC has been held without a touchdown for six consecutive quarters of football and will need to establish their offence early against the Dinos.

Complicating that endeavor is the absence of a key figure on offence – all-star running back Dave Boyd. In last week’s loss to Regina, the ‘Birds had trouble rushing the ball without a serious threat at running back. Even swift-footed quarterback Billy Greene was held in check with one of his least prolific rushing games of the year.

Of further concern is the health of the T-Birds’ defence. Standout linebacker Nathan Kanya is unlikely to play in Calgary, and fellow linebacker Devin Kavanagh saw limited action last week due to injury. Head coach Shawn Olson also reported post-game that linebacker Mark Bailey, the team leader in tackles, was banged up with Chris Mark, who leads UBC in interceptions, and Justin Williams, UBC’s run stuffing defensive tackle, also questionable for Saturday.

Bright spots for the ‘Birds include the receiving corps, which has shown game-breaking ability this season. Spencer Betts leads the Blue and Gold with 19 catches for 310 yards and four touchdowns, while Victor Marshall has consistently proven to be a downfield threat. Marc McVeigh had a big game against Manitoba, while Mitch Shuster has consistently shown up and made plays through the first four weeks of the season.