Manitoba wins on historic night for Bisons football program

On a historic night, the #10 Manitoba Bisons (1-0) did not disappoint a record crowd for a Bison Football regular season home game of 10,199 when they began the 2013 season with a 65-41 victory over the Alberta Golden Bears (0-1) in a highly entertaining contest.

BOXSCORE

The Bisons opened a new stadium on campus for the first time in 47 seasons as they christened their new home – Investors Group field – with their first win in the new digs and now have gone three-for-three in first wins in a new stadium (won first match in 1967 at University Stadium and also in 1973 at Winnipeg Velodrome).

The record-setting crowd barely had time to get to their seats before the fireworks started as the first-ever CIS football touchdown in the new stadium was scored by Bison third year running back Kienan LaFrance (Winnipeg) from one year out at the 4:56 mark. The touchdown was set-up by two-time CIS All-Canadian slotback Nic Demski rushed for 62 yards to get close to the end zone. The Bisons added a seven yard TD pass from new starting quarterback Jordan Yantz (Regina) to fifth year Andrew Smith (Nanaimo, BC) while Alberta first quarter scoring came from kicker Stephen Fabian (Tilley, AB) 28 yard field goal (first points of the game) and QB Ryan Schwartz (North Vancouver, BC) hooking up with Aundrey Webster (Edmonton) for 39 yard TD pass. After one, Manitoba 14-10.

So, can there be a turning point in a 24 point victory and a result that has 106 combined points? If there was one, it actually was helped by the defence as Alberta cut the lead to one point at 25-24 with four minutes left to the half. Then the Bisons erupted for three quick strikes. First, two-time CIS All-Canadian running back Anthony Coombs (Winnipeg) caught and then ran a 37 yard pass from Yantz but it was the next possession where newcomer safety Tyler Fong (Victoria) stepped in front of a pass and went for a pick six on a 75 yard TD return with just over a minute remaining. The home side finished the first 30 minutes in style when Yantz found Demski with a sideline pass from 11 yards with two second left and a 46-24 lead. It was the most points scored by the Bisons in team history (since record kept in 1968).

The third quarter was the Coombs’ show. He rattled off an 84 yard TD run as he darted and outran everyone after only 34 seconds. He struck again with another scintillating 62 yard TD run after less than five minutes in the second half and the game was basically wrapped up at 60-26. Coombs finished with 223 rushing yards on only 16 carries for a whopping 13.9 average in only three quarters of play.

Alberta never quit despite the score and added two late touchdowns in the fourth when Schwartz found Adam Zajdel (Calgary) from an eight yard pass and then Tak Landry (Edmonton) for a 30 yard pass play.

“I am so proud of the full effort,” commented Bison Football head coach after the win. “I thought our offence was relentless and it was tough night for the defence but really impressed for all the athletes and staff in the way we performed. I told them how you represent all Bisons in the past, present and future and to carry the torch starting today. It was an emotional night and I could not have expected this game to go any better.”

Individually, Manitoba had eight touchdowns (Coombs – 3; Smith – 2; LaFrance – 1; Fong – 1; Demski – 1) while Yantz passed for 14-19 and 215 yards with 4 TDs and 1 INT. Akeeno Williams (Grimsby, ON) was top receiver for the Herd with six grabs for 95 yards while Brett MacFarlane (Winnipeg) was top defender with nine total tackles and one forced fumble.

In the losing effort, Alberta was led by Schwartz with 32-46 for 352 yards and 4 TDs and 1 INT along with 150 rushing yards on 13 carries (11.5 avg.). Tylor Henry (Camrose, AB) snagged nine catches for 103 yards and Connor Ralph (Raymond, AB) had 8.5 tackles.

For the Bisons, the 65 points was the third most put up in the program’s history while the 32 points scored in the second quarter was also the highest ever by Manitoba in team history. On a special night, the home team responded with a win for the record books.

Game Notes: 

– Both teams combined for over 1,200 total offence yards in the game as Alberta had 618 and Manitoba with 628 (second highest in team history).
– The Bisons had 400 rushing yards (second best in team history).
Coombs 223 rushing yards was eighth highest in team history while his 84 yard TD run was the fifth longest run by a Bison.
– Fong 75 yard interception was tied for fifth longest by a Bison.
– In four career games against, Coombs now has seven touchdowns with the other four coming in a win in 2011 game.
– For 45 years (spanning 1967-2012 – with one year away in 1973), the Bisons football home had been University Stadium (originally named Pan Am Stadium) where three Manitoba teams have captured the Vanier Cup (CIS National Championship) and six Hardy Cup (Canada West conference championship). Manitoba record at University Stadium during the 45 seasons was: 92-82-3 in regular season plus 3-3 in playoffs.

Source:  Manitoba Bisons Sports Information

AB TDs: Aundrey Webster (2), Ryan Schwartz, Tak Landry and Adam Zajdel

AB QB: Ryan Schwartz completes 32 of 46 passes for 352 yards, with 4 TDs and 1 INT
AB QB: Ryan Schwartz rushes for a team high 150 yards on 13 carries, plus 1 TD

AB RB: Ed Ilnicki carries 24 times for 103 yards
AB RB: Aundrey Webster catches 3 passes for 56 yards and 2 TDs (first career CIS TDs)

AB REC: Tylor Henry catches 9 passes for 103 yards
AB REC: Tak Landry catches 3 passes for 45 yards and first career CIS TD
AB REC: Adam Zajdel catches 2 passes for 17 yards and first career CIS TD

AB OFFENCE: Records 618 yards of total offence; 272 on the ground, 352 passing

Alberta drops to 0-1 on the season. The Golden Bears will play their home opener on Saturday, September 7 at Foote Field at 5:00 pm.

Source: Alberta Golden Bears Sports Information