PREVIEW (Canada West 3x): Bisons host Thunderbirds at Homecoming; Historic Friday night in Saskatoon; Rams & Alberta clash

No.9 Bisons prepare for 2014 Homecoming Game against UBC

The #9 Manitoba Bisons football team continues their second season at Investors Group Field – on the U of Manitoba Fort Garry campus – by hosting the annual Homecoming Game against the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday, September 20 with kickoff at 2 p.m. CT.

Manitoba seeks to repeat 2013 success at the first-ever Homecoming Game at the new stadium when they defeated Regina by a 34-15 score (Sept. 28/14). The Herd holds a 7-5 record during the last 12 Homecoming Games.

Manitoba is now 1-1 in the young 2014 conference season after a convincing 42-18 home win over Regina in the home opener on Sept. 12 while starting the season with 44-24 loss at Saskatchewan on Sept. 5. UBC lost 59-11 at home to Calgary on Sat., Sept. 13 and fell 33-23 at Regina on Fri. Sept. 5 to be winless so far this season.

This game is important in the conference standings as Manitoba is lodged in a tie for third while UBC is tied for fifth with only four teams making the playoffs after eight regular season games.

This is the lone conference regular season meeting this season between the two teams.

Last season, the two teams split the season meetings. In game one, Manitoba rallied with 21 unanswered points with less than eight minutes left to win 36-32 at UBC Homecoming Game on Sept. 14/13. UBC returned the favour as they defeated the Bisons 28-24 at Manitoba on Oct. 5/13.

In early 2014 conference regular season stats, Manitoba is third in scoring offence (33.0 points per game) while UBC is last (17.0). On scoring defence, Manitoba is second (31.0) and UBC stands fifth with 46.0 points per game. On total offence, the Bisons are fifth with 434.5 yards per game while the Thunderbirds are sixth at 272.5. On total defence, the Bisons are third (421.5 yards per game) and UBC is last (633.0). Individually, Kienan LaFrance is tied for first in Canada West touchdowns with four (two rush and two receiving) plus fourth with 135 conference rushing yards. Jordan Yantz is fourth in Canada West with 528 passing yards; Alex Vitt is third with 191 conference receiving yards; Alex Christie is fifth in Canada West with 20.4 kickoff return average and Tremaine Apperley is second in conference with 15 total tackles after two games.


Bison Football Notes: The game can be heard live on radio on 680 CJOB (cjob.com) or available on live webcast at: canadawest.tv website. Manitoba rebounds back into the CIS Top 10 poll this week after falling out last week. They started the season in week one at number six.

Key Stats – BISON FTB HISTORY DURING LAST 12 HOMECOMING GAMES


September 28, 2013
Manitoba 34 Regina 15 at Manitoba

September 15, 2012
Calgary 33 Manitoba 12 at Manitoba

September 17, 2011
Manitoba 26 Saskatchewan 16 at Manitoba

September 25, 2010
Calgary 26 Manitoba 25 at Manitoba

September 19, 2009           
*UBC 1 Manitoba 0 at Manitoba
(* Forfeited game due to ineligible player)
– The original score was 36-10 Manitoba

September 13, 2008
UBC 28 Manitoba 0 at Manitoba

September 15, 2007
Manitoba 35 Calgary 28 at Manitoba

September 16, 2006
Manitoba 33 Calgary 10 at Manitoba

September 24, 2005
Manitoba 35 SFU 30 at Manitoba

September 22, 2001
Manitoba 46 Alberta 13 at Manitoba

September 16, 2000
Manitoba 41 Saskatchewan 16 at Manitoba

September 25, 1999
Saskatchewan 28 Manitoba 9 at Manitoba

Photo credit:  David Lipnowski

(Source:  Chris Zuk, Manitoba Bisons Sports Information)

Calgary Dinos versus Sask Huskies preview 2014

Historic Anniversary Friday Night in Saskatoon

CALGARY – Fifty years to the day the program played its first-ever game, the No. 2-ranked University of Calgary Dinos head to Saskatoon Friday to face the No. 6 Saskatchewan Huskies in a Top-10 battle of 2-0 teams for first place nearing the midway point of the 2014 campaign.

Kickoff at Griffiths Stadium is set for 7 p.m. MT, live on CanadaWest.tv.

Though the University of Calgary will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016, the football program began in 1964. Under the leadership of Dr. Dennis Kadatz, the Dinos stepped onto the field for the first time on Sept. 19, 1964 and defeated Royal Military College 16-7 in a preseason contest.

In the half-century since, the program has four Vanier Cups to its credit along with 15 Canada West championships – the last six of which have come in consecutive years since 2008 as the team continues along its string of high-level consistency: the Dinos have won 38 of their last 42 conference games. That has been led by Blake Nill, now in his ninth season with the team: Friday, he’ll go for his 50th regular season win with the Dinos and his 99th career conference victory – which would put him just a win shy of the exclusive 100-win club in CIS football.

For the 86th time in their history, the Dinos will hook up with the Saskatchewan Huskies in regular season play on Friday night in the teams’ only meeting of the regular season in 2014.

Here’s a look at the two teams:

No. 2 Calgary Dinos (2-0)

Last week: defeated UBC 59-11; Next week: host Manitoba

The Dinos have played the part of the favourite so far this season, and they’ve backed it up in the numbers: through two games, the Dinos have scored 130 points on offence and given up just 14; amassed more than 1400 yards while giving up just 454; and put the ball in the end zone a staggering 17 times in two games, though they have yet to allow an offensive touchdown by the opposition.

Andrew Buckley is the reigning conference offensive player of the week after his 322-yard, 4-TD passing performance in the first half last week at UBC. Mercer Timmis has four touchdowns already in 2014 after adding two more to his total against the Thunderbirds – including a beauty receiving major from 30 yards as the Dinos punched it into the end zone on all of their first three drives in Vancouver. And Brett Blaszko, the 2012 conference rookie of the year, has racked up nearly 350 receiving yards through just two games.

Defensively, the Dinos will look to continue their shut-down play against the Huskies. The Thunderbirds managed just 57 passing yards in the game last week en route to a 177-yard offensive performance – one that the Dinos can take plenty of credit for. Adam Konar, making his Calgary debut last week, made his presence felt with a pair of solid tackles and an interception, while all-Canadian DB Cyril Iwanegbe is the team’s tackle leader with 12.5.

No. 6 Saskatchewan Huskies (2-0)

Last week: defeated Alberta 42-41 (OT); Next week: at Regina

Saskatchewan held on for a Week 2 victory thwarting off an Alberta Golden Bears comeback by stopping a two-point convert attempt in overtime.

Alberta fought back from a 24-9 third quarter deficit to force overtime, including 19 points in the fourth quarter. Saskatchewan quarterback Drew Burko hit 2013 All-Canadian Kit Hillis to score the Huskies’ overtime touchdown.

Burko has kept the Huskies’ offence on track completing 49-of-79 passes for 601 yards and eight touchdowns in his two games in 2014. Hillis, John Trumpy and Andrew Lalonde have been main targets each scoring two touchdowns. Hillis leads the team with 143 yards in two games, followed by Trumpy with 114.

Fifth-year safety Mark Ingram, a 2014 CIS All-Canadian, continues to be tough on opponents with 13.5 tackles in two games – eight against the Golden Bears in Week 2. Fourth-year linebacker Dane Bishop has tallied another 9.5 for the Huskies, while Dylan Kemp has added eight.

Saskatchewan heads on the road to face archrival Regina next week in what will be the final meeting between Rams head coach Frank McCrystal and the Huskies’ Brian Towriss, barring a playoff confrontation.

Photo Credit:  David Moll

(Source:  Ben Matchett, Calgary Dinos Sports Information)

Regina Rams Week 3 preview 2014

Rams, Alberta clash in Week 3 matchup

KICKOFF: Saturday, Sept. 20 (5:00 p.m. MDT)
SITE: Foote Field (Edmonton, Alta.)
CAPACITY: 3,500
RANKINGS: Regina NR, Alberta NR
TELEVISION: Canada West Football on Shaw (broadcast live in Regina on Access70)
RADIO: RM2 / www.620ckrm.com
Highlights
• Both teams are coming off losses, as the Rams fell 42-18 to Manitoba last Friday and Alberta was edged 42-41 by Saskatchewan in overtime
• The two teams met three weeks ago in a non-conference game, with the Rams pulling away from Alberta in the second half for a 40-28 win
• The Rams have dominated the all-time series against Alberta, going 17-5 against the Golden Bears with wins in each of their last six Canada West meetings and 11 of the last 12

Game Notes

JANOTTA WATCH: Fifth-year SB Jared Janotta now has 1902 career receiving yards and needs just two more to break into the U of R’s all-time top five in the category. He’ll likely do that with his first catch this Saturday at Alberta, which will put him past Brenden Owens for fifth. He also needs only 90 more yards to surpass Mark McConkey for fourth. Janotta also has 149 career receptions and has a shot at reeling in both second-place Chad Goldie (173) and Canada West all-time leader Mark McConkey (180) this season.
RICHARDS LOOKING FOR 1000: Fourth-year WR Addison Richards added 89 receiving yards last week at Manitoba, giving him 222 for the season and 969 for his career. He needs just 31 more to become the 14th player in U of R history to hit the 1000 mark.
GO LONG: Rams quarterbacks have thrown for over 400 yards 15 times since moving up to the CIS in 1999. And Cayman Shutter now has five of them – in just nine career starts – after throwing for 430 yards in the Week 1 win over UBC.
POST PATTERN: The video of WR Mitch Thompson crashing into the goal post in Winnipeg last weekend had over 75,000 views on YouTube as of Friday after being picked up by various sites including Bleacher Report. Thompson was briefly shaken up on the play, but returned almost immediately.
RAMS IN THE PROS: The Rams currently boast three former players in the NFL, including P Jon Ryan (Seattle), DL Akiem Hicks (New Orleans), and DL Stefan Charles (Buffalo). Four University of Regina products are on CFL active rosters right now, including OL Brett Jones with Calgary and SB Chris Getzlaf, OL Brendon LaBatte, and LB Ryan Wellman with Saskatchewan. FB Neal Hughes is on Saskatchewan’s six-game injured list. DL Micheal Dadzie was just signed to Ottawa’s practice roster on Monday, while OL Chris Mercer remains on Edmonton’s practice roster.
FABIAN TIES RECORD IN RAMS DEBUT: Andrew Fabian had a fine debut in the Week 1 win over UBC, connecting on all four of his field goal attempts to become just the third kicker in University of Regina history to hit four in a single game. Only Perri Scarcelli and Chris Bodnar have also hit four in one game, with Scarcelli accomplishing the feat four times over his five-season career with the Rams. Fabian – the Rams’ leading scorer through Week 2 with 17 points – was named the Canada West Special Teams Player of the Week following the UBC game.
FAMILY TIES: OL Aaron Picton and SB Mitchell Picton are brothers, and their cousins QB Noah Picton and RB Blake Anaka are both in their first seasons of CIS eligibility with the U of R. There’s also a pair of Wilsons, as Riley is a third-year slotback with the Rams and his younger brother Luke is a rookie defensive back. Defensive coordinator Paul Dawson has a son (RB Dillon Dawson) and a nephew (LB Danny Nesbitt) on the team, while head coach Frank McCrystal’s son Charlie McCrystal is on the staff as a defensive backs coach. If that isn’t enough, you’ll also find QB Cayman Shutter throwing to his first cousin, WR Mitch Thompson.

Breakdown – Offence

QUARTERBACKS
• Cayman Shutter, a transfer from the University of Hawaii, is in his final CIS season and his second as a starter with the Rams
• Shutter is 46-for-81 (56.8%) this year for 589 yards and two touchdown passes
• First-year QB Noah Picton threw the ball in a Canada West game for the first time last week at Manitoba, relieving Shutter in the second half and ending up 6-for-10 for 130 yards and two touchdowns
• Fourth-year SB Landon Buch also serves as the team’s quarterback in short-yardage situations
RUNNING BACKS
• Starting RB Dillon Dawson had eight rushes for 45 yards last week and is now averaging 5.4 yards per carry this season
• Rookie Atlee Simon has been handling kickoff duties for the Rams this season and got his first touches at RB last week, ending up with 10 carries for 67 yards at Manitoba
• As expected, Jens Johnson has also seen playing time at RB this season and has 10 carries for 55 yards after rushing twice for a total of 11 yards last week
RECEIVERS
• Addison Richards and Mitch Thompson are one of the most dynamic WR duos in the CIS
• Richards, a second-team All-Canadian last year, has 13 catches for 222 yards and two TDs this season and needs just 31 more receiving yards for 1000 in his career
• Thompson won a junior football national championship last year with the Regina Thunder and has seven catches for 53 yards this year while also handling return duties
• A trio of returning players will get the start at the three slotback positions, including Jared Janotta, Landon Buch, and Riley Wilson
• Janotta is second on the team behind Richards in receptions and receiving yards (see Page 2 for more on his career)
• Wilson had a career-high 96 receiving yards in Week 1 and is now third on the Rams in both catches (8) and receiving yards (116) this season
• Buch had one reception last week at Manitoba and now has three catches for 27 yards
• Second-year receiver Mitchell Picton caught two touchdown passes at Manitoba, the first two majors of his CIS career
• Fellow second-year receivers Davin Johnston and Richard Sindani will also travel
OFFENSIVE LINE
• The Rams had one change to the offensive line last week at Manitoba, giving RG Tristain Hoath – a Saskatoon Hilltops product – his first career start
• Jeremy Zver (LT), Kyle Paterson (LG), Aaron Picton (C), and Matt Degelman (RT) have started both Canada West games for the Rams and should do so again on Saturday
• Picton, who will be eligible for the 2015 CFL Draft, is the team’s most experienced lineman with 13 career Canada West starts and two postseason starts
• The durable Zver will make his 11th consecutive start at left tackle for the Rams
• Degelman comes into Saturday with nine career starts for the Rams, while Paterson has seven
• Nathan Cugnet played much of the second half at centre for the Rams, with Picton moving to right tackle in place of Degelman
• Brandon Williams was also on the 42-man roster for the Manitoba game, but didn’t play
• Keenan Carrier was in the lineup for the team’s Week 1 win at UBC, but didn’t make the trip to Manitoba
• Lyndon Smith remains out after being injured in the non-conference game

Breakdown – Defence / Special Teams

DEFENSIVE LINE
• With defensive coordinator Paul Dawson moving from a 42 defence to a 33 defence, the Rams will have three DL on the field this season under most circumstances
• Dean Viena had a huge game for the Rams at Manitoba, collecting 6½ tackles, a pass breakup, and the first sack of his career
• The Rams have gone with the same starters on the line in both Canada West games, with Viena at defensive end, Bryce McKinnon at nose tackle, and Tyler Perkins at rush end
• Perkins has 4½ tackles, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery this year while McKinnon – who played OL for the Rams last year – has three assisted tackles
• Eric Wicijowski and Thomas Lill are also expected to make the trip to Alberta
• Wicijowski is a rookie out of LeBoldus HS in Regina, while Lill played both offensive line and defensive line last year as a rookie for the Rams
LINEBACKERS
• MLB Connor Ketchen and WLB Michael Stefanovic are both two-year starters
• Starting SLB Dylan Minshull redshirted last year and is in his first season of eligibility
• After leading the conference with eight tackles for loss last season, Stefanovic is on pace to equal that this year with two TFLs in his first two games
• Stefanovic is also the team’s leader with 14½ tackles, while Minshull has 10½ and Ketchen has 4½
• Ketchen and Minshull were teammates in high school (Neelin HS in Brandon, Man.)
• Calgary Colts product Zack McEachern has two solo and three assisted tackles this year, all of which have come on kick coverage
• Cody Kezama (two tackles) and rookie Danny Nesbitt (1½ tackles) have also played in both of the team’s Canada West games
DEFENSIVE BACKS
• The Rams have gone with the same starting defensive backfield for both games so far – Kahlen Branning and Tevaughn Campbell at cornerback, Patrick MacDonald and Jeff Propp at halfback, Justin Edralin at safety, and Joey Dwyer at dimeback
• Dwyer had the first sack of his career last week at Manitoba, catching Bisons QB Jordan Yantz on a blitz and forcing a fumble that would eventually be recovered by Perkins
• Three of Robbie Avram, Kadeem Ellis, Jordy Kibamba, and Ryan Serbu are also expected to back up for the Alberta game
• Korey Greene and Mason Rossler are listed as questionable with injuries
PUNTERS/KICKERS
• Former Calgary Colts kicker Andrew Fabian leads the Rams with 17 points scored this year, is 4-for-4 on field goal attempts and is averaging 38.1 yards per punt
• Rookie RB Atlee Simon has handled kickoff duties for the Rams this year and is averaging 44.3 yards per kick
RETURNERS
• DB Tevaughn Campbell and WR Mitch Thompson are expected to return punts and kickoffs
• Thompson had both of Regina’s kickoff returns against UBC for a total of 79 yards, including a 56-yard return early in the game
• Always a threat to break out a big return, Campbell was limited to four yards on two punt returns last Friday
HOLDER / LONG SNAPPER
• WR Mitch Thompson or backup QB Noah Picton will hold on field goal attempts
• OL Jeremy Zver will continue to serve as long snapper on both punts and field goals

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