Nill looks for 100th win as Dinos host Bisons
CALGARY – Blake Nill is just one win away from an exclusive club as he takes aim at his 100th career regular season victory as a head coach in CIS football.
Nill’s second-ranked University of Calgary Dinos (3-0) host the No. 10 Manitoba Bisons (2-1) Friday night at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff goes just after 6 p.m., live on Shaw TV and CanadaWest.tv.
He scored his 50th regular season win with the Dinos last weekend at Saskatchewan as the team moved to 3-0 after surviving its first big test of the season following a pair of lopsided victories to open the campaign. In the Bisons, his squad will face an offence with explosive capabilities led by quarterback Jordan Yantz and Nic Demski, one of the top-rated prospects in the upcoming CFL draft. The Dinos have had recent success against Manitoba, winning their past 11 games overall
It’s Student Appreciation Night, with a free barbecue on the quad on campus earlier in the day, a pre-game party at the Den, bus transportation to and from the game, and promotions throughout the night. The Vanier Cup will also be in attendance as it makes its way across the country in celebration of the game’s 50th Anniversary. The TELUS Vanier Cup will be staged in Montreal for the first time ever in November.
Here’s a look at the two teams:
No. 2 Calgary Dinos (3-0)
Last week: defeated Saskatchewan 38-24; next week: host Regina
Led by the continued heroics of Mercer Timmis, the Dinos found a way to break a 24-24 deadlock with the Saskatchewan Huskies last Friday night to score two touchdowns in the final five minutes and emerge with a 38-24 win. Timmis added three TDs to his 208-yard performance, giving him top spot on the school’s all-time leaderboard for rushing touchdowns with 30.
The Calgary offence continues to be the class of the conference, averaging 56 points and just under 680 yards per contest, but they’ll face a resurgent Bisons defence that is second-best in Canada West (behind their own) in points (24) and yards (402.3) allowed per game. Andrew Buckley has the third-best passing average in the nation at 315 yards per game, despite playing only the first half of the first two games of the year. And despite a quiet game from a stats perspective against Saskatchewan, Brett Blaszko is still in the top four nationally in receiving yards – though he did score the game-winning TD against the Huskies.
Cyril Iwanegbe continues to lead an athletic, shut-down defensive corps for the Dinos, who hope to have defensive lineman Tyler Langlais available for Friday’s game. Langlais sustained an injury during the Vanier Cup last November and has worked hard to rehab from knee surgery in the off-season.
This game marks the beginning of a five-week stretch where the Dinos stay in the province of Alberta. Calgary plays three of its next four games at home and enjoys the Thanksgiving Day bye week – and the Dinos’ only road contest comes Oct. 18 when they make a quick trip to Edmonton to face the Alberta Golden Bears. The Dinos host Regina next Saturday, Oct. 4, at McMahon Stadium.
No. 10 Manitoba Bisons (2-1)
Last week: defeated UBC 20-10; next week: at Alberta
After a slow start with a 44-24 setback on the road at Saskatchewan, the Manitoba Bisons put together back-to-back wins at home against Regina and UBC to improve to 2-1 heading into this weekend’s contest in Calgary.
Manitoba’s offence, though traditionally the strong point of the team, has struggled to put up just 86 points (fifth in the six-team conference) and ranks fifth in virtually all offensive categories. Defensively, however, only the Dinos (38) have given up fewer points than the Bisons (72) through the first three weeks of the season.
The offence still has weapons, however, led by quarterback Jordan Yantz and receiver Nic Demski. Yantz and Calgary’s Buckley finished tied at the all-star pivot position last year after he led the conference with 2,474 passing yards, and he’s a veteran with plenty of experience. Demski, meanwhile, was the top-ranked receiver and the third player overall on the CFL prospect rankings released earlier in the month. Despite having just seven catches on the year, he is a threat every time he touches the ball. The Yantz-Demski tandem is complemented by running back Kienan LaFrance, who trails only Timmis for the Canada West rushing lead with 76.3 yards per game.
Defensively, the Bisons are led by fifth-year junior transfer Tremaine Apperley at defensive back. Apperley is third in the conference in solo tackles (18) and fourth in total tackles (20). D.J. Lalama and Jayden McCoy are also in the Top 10 in the conference in tackles.
The Bisons remain on the road next week, taking on the University of Alberta Golden Bears next Saturday afternoon at Foote Field in Edmonton.
(Source: Ben Matchett)
The #10 Manitoba Bisons football team goes back on the road and will face the #2 Calgary Dinos in a battle for first place in the Canada West conference on Friday, September 26 with kickoff at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be televised live as part of Canada West SHAW TV Game of the Week and also on live webcast at canadwest.tv website.
To start the 2014 season, the Bisons were ranked sixth in the first CIS poll and travelled to play at then #7 Saskatchewan in week one and lost 44-24 on Fri., Sept. 5. InBrian Dobie‘s 18 years at the helm for regular season openers, the Bisons are now 10-9 overall and 6-5 on the road. In week two, Manitoba won 42-18 in the home opener on Fri., Sept. 12. During the annual Homecoming Game for the Herd in week three on Sat., Sept. 20, Manitoba was back in the CIS top ten as they were ranked #9 and defeated UBC by a 20-10 score.
Calgary is on three game winning streak in 2014 with 71-3 win vs. Alberta (Sept. 5), 59-11 win at UBC (Sept. 13) and 38-24 victory at Saskatchewan (Sept. 19). The Dinos have won 12 consecutive conference games dating back to their last loss on Oct. 19, 2012. Calgary has been ranked number since the start of the 2014 campaign, all four CIS Top 10 polls.
Manitoba is also looking to reverse recent history as they have not defeated Calgary since the 2007 Vanier Cup Championship season when they won over the Dinos in the regular season (Sept. 15/07: W 35-28) and then post-season (Canada West Semi-Final on Nov. 3/07: W 27-5). In the last six seasons, Calgary has won nine straight conference games (five at Calgary) and two post-season games (both at Calgary). During Brian Dobie‘s first 18 seasons at the helm, the Herd has a 10-17 regular season record and 4-10 regular season record at Calgary with the last win on the road against the Dinos occurred on Oct. 21, 2005 (W 28-27).
In the 2013 season, Manitoba went 5-3 for second place in the regular season standings and was a Canada West finalist (lost 43-28 at Calgary in conference final) after winning 37-36 at Manitoba in the Canada West Semi-Final. For Calgary, they finished first with a perfect 8-0 record and then defeated UBC 42-28 in other Canada West Semi-Final, beat Manitoba in conference championship and then in the CIS Semi-Final (Mitchell Bowl) destroyed Western 44-3. In the 49th Vanier Cup in Laval, Calgary lost 25-14. Calgary won their sixth consecutive Hardy Cup (Canada West championship) and made their fourth appearance in six years at the Vanier Cup.
Last season, the two teams played twice with Calgary taking the decision in both games as they met once in the regular season (Sept. 20/13: L 48-24 at Cgy.) and once in the playoffs (Canada West Final on Nov. 9/13: L 43-28 at Cgy.).
In early 2014 conference regular season team stats, Calgary is first in offence with 56.0 points average per game while Manitoba fifth at 28.7 points per game. In offence yards per game, the Dinos are first with 679.7 while the Bisons are fifth at 406.0. On defence, Calgary is tops with 12.7 points allowed per game and 312.7 yards allowed per game while the Herd are second in points allowed at 24.0 and yards allowed at 402.3.
Individually for the Bisons in conference stats, Kienan LaFrance is tied for second in Canada West touchdowns with five (three rush and two receiving) plus second with 229 conference rushing yards. Jordan Yantz is fifth in Canada West with 677 passing yards; Alex Vitt is seventh with 216 conference receiving yards; Nic Demski is third at 19.4 and Vitt is fifth at 16.6 yards per catch; Alex Christie is sixth in Canada West with 21.0 kickoff return average plus Jayden McCoy is first and Demski is second in punt return average at 17.2 and 11.4.. Ryan Jones is fourth in kicking scoring with 20 points (4/6 in FGs and 8/8 in converts) while Zach Regert is sixth in punting average at 37.2.
In Canada West all-purpose yards, Demski is 11th and LaFrance at 12th with 301 and 295.
On defence in conference stats after three games, DB Tremaine Apperley is fourth in conference with 20 total tackles, linebacker DJ Lalama is seventh at 17 and McCoy is tied for tenth at 15. DE Evan Foster leads the conference with three sacks and James Mau is tied for second with two. In tackles for losses, Foster is tied for second with 3.5, Mau and DT David Onyemata is tied for fourth with three and DT Evan Gill is tied for seventh at 2.5. Christie, LB Jonathan Jones and DB Cam Teschuk all have one forced fumble while Foster, Lalama and LB Houston Rennie all have one fumble recovery. Safety Tyler Fong is tied for second with two interceptions plus Apperley, Teschuk and LB Mitchell Harrison are tied for fifth with two break-ups each.
This game is important in the conference standings as Manitoba is lodged in a tie for second with Saskatchewan at 2-1 while Calgary is first at 3-0 with only four teams making the playoffs after eight regular season games.
This is the first of two conference regular season meeting this season between the two teams. They will encounter each other again at Manitoba on Saturday, November 1 at 2 p.m. CT held at Investors Group Field.
This is the second road game of the season for Manitoba. The Herd then goes back on the road next week against the Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday, October 4 at 6 p.m. CT (week five) before the conference bye during the Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 11).
The Bisons seek to start the Canada West season with a 3-1 record. The Herd last accomplished this feat in 2012 season (win in week 1, 2 and 4).
In 2014, Manitoba best quarter for scoring is the second with 37 points (1st Q: 26 points; 3rd Q: 20; 4th Q: 3) while for the opposition the best scoring quarter on Manitoba has been the second with 26 points (3rd: 20 points; 4th Q: 19 points; 1st Q: 9) .
For game four of 2014, the Manitoba Bisons football line-up has only no changes from the 24 starters in game three at home against the UBC Thunderbirds. This is the first time that back-to-back weeks have had all the same 24 starters for the Bisons.
Heading into week four, there are 21 starters (10 on offence; nine on defence; 2 on special teams) that have played all three game at same position. On offence; QBJordan Yantz; TB Kienan LaFrance; LT Alex McKay; LG Nevin Gamblin; C Tyler Fabbri; RG Geoff Gray; RT Rob Smith; SB Bryden Bone; SB Ales Vitt; WR Matt Sawyer. On defence: LE Lauren Kroeker; DT Evan Gill; NT David Onyemata; MAC LB DJ Lalama; CB Tremaine Apperley; CB Cam Teschuk; HB Jayden McKoy; HBJordan Linnen; S Tyler Fong. On special teams: Placekicker Ryan Jones; Punter Zach Regert.
In addition, Mitchell Harrison has started all three games but played SAM LB in week one and WILL LB in week two and three.
The lone rookie starter is halfback Jayden McKoy as he had dressed as a starter in all three games at the position after red-shirting last season. ‘
Fourth year slotback and three-time CIS All-Canadian Nic Demski saw his first action with Manitoba in 2014 in a week two win over Regina after missing game one. In week three, he was Bison Sports Male Athlete of the Week after 224 all-purpose yards (65 receiving, 45 rushing, 92 punt return yards and 22 kickoff return yards). He was also highlighted as the top-ranked CIS player on the initial prospect list released by the CFL’s Scouting Bureau in advance of the league’s 2015 Canadian Draft by being ranked number three.
Quarterback Jordan Yantz makes his 12th consecutive start in the conference regular season (started in all eight games in 2013) and will be his 14th consecutive start counting playoff games.
Kickoff will occur at 7 p.m. CT and the game can be seen live on the web at: canadawest.tv and live TV on SHAW TV Western Canada.
Points of Interest
The Bisons led by as many as 40 points (42-2) at the near end of the third quarter before a final 42-18 score versus Regina at home in week two in front of 6,435 fans at IGF. The Herd scored six touchdowns (five on offence and one on defence) in the home victory.
Manitoba led 24-21 at the half in game one at Saskatchewan before falling by a final score of 44-24.
Manitoba has only allowed 28 points in last two games after only 1 TD and ten points by UBC in week three.
The Bisons seek to make the post-season for three consecutive season, the last time that occurred was 2005-07.
Individually, Manitoba has scored ten overall touchdowns so far this season (Kienan LaFrance – 5 (three by rush and two by pass), Jordan Yantz – 2, Alex Vitt – 1,Jonathan Jones – 1, Nic Demski – 1).
Bison football head coach Brian Dobie is coaching in his 147th CIS game in his 19th season at the helm of Manitoba. His regular season record so far is 77-67-1-1 (53.1%)and post-season record is 10-8
Since 1968 season, the Bisons have officially played 366 regular season football games and recorded 165 wins, 197 losses, three ties and one overtime loss.
In the fourth CIS Top 10 football poll of 2014, defending Vanier Cup champion Laval is still number one while Canada West teams occupy three spots as Calgary is second and Saskatchewan is at number six. Manitoba started the season in sixth spot and did not make the Top 10 in week two but rebounded to be ranked number in week three and then dropped to number ten spot in week four.
In early 2014 conference regular season stats, Manitoba is fifth in offence passing yards at 248.0 per game while Calgary is second at 388.7. In rushing yards, the Bisons are fourth at 158.0 yards per game while the Dinos are first at 291.0/game. In first downs, Manitoba sits fifth with 23.0 per game while Calgary is first at 34.7/game. On third down conversions, Manitoba is second at 57% (4-7) while Calgary fifth at 17% (1-6).
In the red zone, Manitoba (9-9) is first at 100% with seven touchdowns while Calgary is third at 90% (18-20) and 16 touchdowns. In turnovers, Manitoba had seven with four interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
In Canada West penalties, Manitoba is last with 50 for 455 yards while the Dinos are second with 28 for 300 yards. In time of possession, the Herd is last at 26:10 while Calgary is second at 31:44.
On defence in Canada West stats, Manitoba is third in passing yards per game at 267.0 while Calgary sits first at 174.7 while in rushing yards per game, the Herd are first at 135.3 and the Dinos are second at 138.0. In interceptions, Manitoba is third with four while Calgary is first at eight. In fumble recoveries, Manitoba is tied for first with three while Calgary tied for fifth with one.
In conference sacks, Manitoba is first with ten while the Dinos are tied for third with five. In sacks allowed, Manitoba has allowed six while Calgary has allowed three.
In the 2014 CIS football regular season, Manitoba Bisons fifth year kick linebacker Jonathan Jones was selected as CIS Defence Football Athlete of the Week while Bison Alex Christie was selected as CIS Special Teams Football Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Sept. 14, 2014. This is the first time Manitoba Bisons football players has earned CIS player of the week honours in 2014. Both were also named conference football player of the week.
In the third week of the 2014 Canada West football regular season, Manitoba Bisons first year placekicker Ryan Jones was selected Canada West Special Teams Football Athlete of the Week for the week ending September 21/14. Jones accounted for ten of the 20 points scored by the #9 Manitoba Bisons as the won at home by a 20-10 score over the UBC Thunderbirds during the annual Homecoming Game on Saturday, September 20.
Jones was perfect as he went three for three in field goals and converted the lone TD plus had a 51.7 kickoff average on three kicks during the home win.
Canada West football results so far in 2014:
Date Place of game Result
Sept. 5 Calgary Calgary 71 Alberta 3
Sept. 5 Saskatoon Saskatchewan 44 Manitoba 24
Sept. 5 Regina Regina 33 UBC 23
Sept. 12 Manitoba Manitoba 42 Regina 18
Sept. 13 Alberta Saskatchewan 42 Alberta 41 (OT)
Sept. 13 UBC Calgary 59 UBC 11
Sept. 19 Saskatchewan Calgary 38 Saskatchewan 24
Sept. 20 Manitoba Manitoba 20 UBC 10
BISON FOOTBALL PLAYERS CLOSE TO TEAM CAREER MILESTONES
- Head coach Brian Dobie (1996-present) is coaching his 147th conference regular season game at Manitoba (77-67-1-1) plus 165th overall game (playoffs record: 10-8)
- Nick Demski (2011-14) is closing in to the Top 10 of the Bison career points total standings. Demski is in 11th place with 96 points, number ten is Dennis Hrycaiko (’68-71) at 128 points.
- Demski is seventh in Bison total touchdowns with 16. He is three TDs back of sixth place Brett Watt (’90-94: 19) and four TDs back of fifth place Dennis Hrycaiko (’68-71: 20).
- In receiving yards, Demski is now in the Top 10 of all-time Bison records. He sits at ninth with 1,124 yards and just past tenth place Stu Schollaardt (’08-11: 1,116). In eight spot is Bison coach now Blair Atkinson (’03-05: 1,143) – only 19 yards away.
- Demski is also third in receiving yard average per catch at 16.8. In first is Gord Paterson (’72-73: 18.5) and second place Chris Noonan (’93-97: 17.5)
- In receiving TDs, Demski is tied for fourth with 11. He is one back of Atkinson and three TDs back of second place Terry Firr (’04-08: 14).
- Demski is first for most kickoff returns for touchdowns with two, first in kickoff average at 25.3.
- Demski is fourth in kickoff return yards at 884, 37 yards back of third (David Courtemanche ’91-93: 943) plus sixth in kickoff returns at 36 attempts.
- Lauren Kroeker (2010-14) is now eighth in total tackles with 134.5. He past tenth place (Terry Staroba ’95-98: 132 and Jeff Alamolhoda ’03-07: 132) and ninth place Mike Howard (’03-07: 133) and closing in on seventh place Pate Adams (’08-11: 135.0) and sixth place Wade Miller (1992-94: 141).
- Closing in on 100 total tackles is Evan Gill (2011-14) as he has 93.5. Only 15 Bisons have reached the century mark in tackles in team history.
- Kroeker is now 11th with 12.5 sacks and past 12th spot (Everton Black ’07-10: 11) and 0.5 away from tenth (Simon Patrick ’03-07: 13)
- Kroeker is now fourth in sack yards with 68 and seven yards away from third place (Everton Black ’07-10: 75)
- Andrew Barry (2011-14) is tied for first with three blocked kicks (Jason Rauhaus ’90-91 and Mike Howard ’03-07)
(Source: Chris Zuk, Manitoba Bisons Sports Information)
Rams host Huskies in Week 4 battle at Mosaic
SITE: Mosaic Stadium (Regina, Sask.)
CAPACITY: 33,427
RANKINGS: Saskatchewan #7, Regina NR
TELEVISION: Access7 (Mitchell Blair/PxP, Gary “Chop” Bresch/CC)
RADIO: 620 CKRM (Michael Ball/PxP, Marco Ricci/CC)
LIVE VIDEO: www.canadawest.tv
• Both teams are coming off of tough Week 3 losses, with the Rams being edged 44-42 by Alberta and Saskatchewan suffering a 38-24 setback to Calgary in a game that was tied in the fourth quarter
• This will be the only meeting between the two provincial rivals during the Canada West schedule
• Saskatchewan holds a 19-6 advantage in 25 conference games played against the Rams, though the U of R has won three of five postseason games against the Huskies
• A game-time decision is expected for the starting QB after Cayman Shutter’s injury sustained at Alberta last week – if he can’t go, rookie Noah Picton will get his first start in a Canada West game
• Picton was on fire after replacing Shutter in the second quarter last week, ending up 28-for-36 for 432 yards and three TDs
• Frankie Gray is third on the depth chart at QB, while fourth-year SB Landon Buch also serves as the team’s quarterback in short-yardage situations
• The trio of Dillon Dawson, Jens Johnson, and rookie Atlee Simon will all likely see significant playing time again on Saturday
• Dawson has started all three Canada West games at RB for the Rams and leads the team in both rushes (24) and yards (138)
• Johnson is second on the team with 15 rushes for 107 yards and a TD
• Simon has handled kickoff duties for the Rams in all three games so far and has also seen an increased role in the team’s offence – he now has 13 rushes for 91 yards after last Saturday’s game
• WR Addison Richards, a second-team All-Canadian last year, leads the nation with 447 receiving yards – Richards also leads all Canada West players with four TD catches and is tied with teammate Jared Janotta for the conference lead with 22 receptions
• WR Mitch Thompson starts opposite Richards and is fourth on the team in receptions (13) and receiving yards (193) while serving as the team’s holder and primary return man
• Janotta, Landon Buch, and Riley Wilson have all started the three Canada West games at slotback for the Rams, with Janotta (22 catches, 303 yards) the most heavily targeted of the trio
• Wilson had a career-high 96 receiving yards in Week 1 and is third on the team in receptions (14) and yards (193)
• Buch has five catches for 36 yards
• Also expected to dress on Saturday are Andrew Bennett, Davin Johnston, Mitchell Picton, Catlin Schneider, and Richard Sindani
• Picton, a second-year SB, has had the most impact of the non-starters with two TD passes in Week 2 at Manitoba
• Sindani has three catches for 35 yards
• The Rams have gone with the same starting five on the line in both of the last two games and are expected to trot out Jeremy Zver (LT), Kyle Paterson (LG), Aaron Picton (C), Tristain Hoath (RG), and Matt Degelman (RT) again on Saturday
• Picton, who will be eligible for the 2015 CFL Draft, is the team’s most experienced lineman with 14 career Canada West starts and two postseason starts
• The durable Zver will make his 12th consecutive start at left tackle for the Rams
• Degelman comes into Saturday with 10 career starts for the Rams, while Paterson has nine
• Though he hasn’t started either of the last two games, Nathan Cugnet has received significant playing time in both contests at centre with Picton moving to right tackle in place of Degelman
• Keenan Carrier and Brandon Williams will dress as backups
• Lyndon Smith remains out after being injured in the non-conference game
• 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
• The Rams have gone with the same starters on the line in all three Canada West games, with Dean Viena at defensive end, Bryce McKinnon at nose tackle, and Tyler Perkins at rush end
• McKinnon was injured last week at Alberta, with both Thomas Lill and Eric Wicijowski seeing playing time in place of him – McKinnon is considered probable for Saturday
• Viena leads the linemen with eight total tackles (six solo, four assisted) and also has a sack and a pass breakup
• McKinnon has 6½ tackles, while Perkins has 5½ tackles, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery – both McKinnon and Perkins also have one tackle for loss on the season
• Wicijowski and Lill have also dressed for all three Canada West games this year, with Lill collecting 1½ tackles on the season
• MLB Connor Ketchen and WLB Michael Stefanovic are both in their second year as starters for the Rams
• Starting SLB Dylan Minshull redshirted last year and is in his first season of eligibility
• Ketchen and Minshull were teammates in high school (Neelin HS in Brandon, Man.)
• After leading the conference with eight tackles for loss last season, Stefanovic is on pace to come close to that this year with two TFLs in the first three games
• Stefanovic is also the team’s leader with 19 tackles, while Minshull has 13½ and Ketchen has 8½ – Minshull also has one tackle for loss
• Calgary Colts product Zack McEachern has two solo and three assisted tackles this year, all of which have come on kick coverage
• Cody Kezama (four tackles) and rookie Danny Nesbitt (1½ tackles) have also dressed for all three Canada West games
• The Rams have gone with the same starting defensive backfield for all three 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
• The defensive backfield may see a different look on Saturday with both Korey Greene and Mason Rossler expected to return after missing the first three games with injuries
• Kadeem Ellis, Jordy Kibamba, and Ryan Serbu have all dressed as backups for the first three games, while Robbie Avram is expected to draw back into the lineup after not dressing in Week 2 and Week 3
• Former Calgary Colts kicker Andrew Fabian leads the Rams with 27 points scored this year, is 6-for-7 on field goal attempts and is averaging 37.9 yards per punt
• Rookie RB Atlee Simon has handled kickoff duties for the Rams this year and is averaging 48.7 yards per kick
• DB Tevaughn Campbell and WR Mitch Thompson are expected to return punts, with Thompson and RB Atlee Simon likely to see kickoff return duty
• Thompson has nine punt returns for an average of 7.3 yards per return and nine kickoff returns for an average of 21.6 per return
• Campbell has four punt returns for a total of 30 yards (7.5 yards per return)
• WR Mitch Thompson will hold on field goal attempts, with OL Jeremy Zver to continue to serving as long snapper on punts and FGs
Game Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014, 2pm
Game Location: Mosaic Stadium
Live Radio Broadcast: CK 750,www.ck750.com
Live Stats/ Live Webcast: canadawest.tv
THE GAME
For the lone time in 2014, provincial rivals the University of Regina Rams and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies will battle on the football field.
BROADCAST INFO
Kickoff is 2 p.m. local time on Saturday. The game is available live on CK750 or www.ck750.com or via webcast at canadawest.tv.
THE HEADLINES
- Saskatchewan (No. 7) is one of three Canada West teams to hold a spot in the CIS Top 10. Calgary (No. 2) and Manitoba (No. 10) join the Huskies in the national rankings.
- Huskie safety Mark Ingram was named Canada West Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks. In the 38-24 loss to the Calgary Dinos, Ingram recorded a forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception and 8.5 tackles – 7 solo.
- Third-year starting quarterback Drew Burko is steadily moving up the Huskies’ all-time career lists in yards, pass completion and touchdowns (see media notes page 8).
- On Wednesday, Huskie Athletics celebrated the 2013-14 All-Academics. 22 football players were named to the CIS Academic All-Canadians, Huskie First Team All-Academics or Huskie Second Team All-Academics. Among the group was running back Shane Buchanan, offensive lineman Josh Butcher and defensive end Brayden Twarynski.
RAMS/HUSKIES SERIES
Since 2001, the Huskies are 19-6 against the Rams in conference action. Saskatchewan won both meetings between the two teams in 2014.
No. 7 UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (2-1)
After a disappointing loss in the fourth quarter in Week 3, the Saskatchewan Huskies will look to rebound against the Regina Rams in the lone meeting.
Averaging 36.7 points per game, the Huskies offence is the second-best in the conference. Third-year quarterback Drew Burko continued to rack up yardage in Week 3 passing for 288 yards and throwing three more touchdowns. He leads the Canada West with 11. Running back Jarvis James had a breakout game rushing with a career-high 153 yards.
Saskatchewan’s defence, led by safety Mark Ingram, continues to force turnovers. The group has three fumble recoveries, five interceptions and five sacks.
UNIVERSITY OF REGINA RAMS (1-2)
In Week 3, the Regina Rams erased a 16-point halftime deficit and nearly overcame a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, but eventually fell 44-42 to Alberta.
After the Rams tied it up in the third, Alberta responded with 15 unanswered points to start the fourth quarter. Jared Janotta caught a touchdown pass with 4:44 left to get within eight, and Noah Picton connected with Addison Richards for an 85-yard major with under a minute left but Picton was sacked on the ensuing two-point conversion and Alberta held on for the win.
Picton ended up with 431 passing yards, tied for the ninth highest single-game output by a Rams quarterback. And he didn’t come into the game until midway through the second quarter, when starting pivot Cayman Shutter was injured. Picton completed 28 of his 36 pass attempts, with his completion rate of 77.8% standing as the second highest in the school’s single-game record book.
Richards finished with nine catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns, with his 225 receiving yards also going down as the second highest single-game total in school history. Janotta had 11 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown, while Riley Wilson had six receptions for 77 yards.
(Source: Nicole Betker, Saskatchewan Huskies Sports Information)
Thunderbirds welcome Golden Bears to town this Saturday
Vancouver, BC – The UBC Thunderbirds (0-3) take on the Alberta Golden Bears (1-2) this Saturday at 2:00 pm at David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium.
Heading into the 2014 season there was much excitement and anticipation surrounding this year’s edition of the UBC Thunderbirds football team. Unfortunately instead, the ‘Birds have been left scratching their heads after three straight losses to open the season, the most recent a 20-10 loss at the hands of the Manitoba Bisons.
“We have acknowledged our frustration as a group,” said UBC head coach Shawn Olson. “This is a shared deal for everybody. We have embraced it and decided the only way to turn things around is to outwork it.”
The struggles for UBC start with the offence which has managed to score just 26 points this year. The other 18 points came from the defence (11) and special teams (7). Fourth-year running back Brandon Deschamps is averaging just 42.3 yards rushing per game, over a hundred yards less then his average last season.
“It may sound cliche or boring, but the fact is if two or three offensive plays go our way, especially in the games versus Manitoba and Regina, then the outcome could have been completely different,” said Olson. “We make those plays and the team gains confidence and momentum. Because we didn’t make them, guys start to press and become prone to making mistakes.”
“From an offensive standpoint, our line is very young and inexperienced playing as a unit. Our biggest problem has been our ability to sustain blocks. The holes are there but we haven’t been able to hold the blocks long enough to allow our running backs to get through in time.”
Playing Alberta may be the cure for the Thunderbirds offence. So far this season they have allowed an average of 52 points per game against.
On the defensive side of the ball, UBC had its best performance of the season last week holding Canada West All-Star quarterback Jordan Yantz to under 150 yards passing and the Bisons to just 16 points. The other four points came off safeties.
“We made a significant improvement from week two to three,” said Olson. “Last week they kept us in the game, however, we are still missing too many tackles. As long as we clean that up, I believe we can continue to improve.”
The Golden Bears head into the weekend fresh off the program’s first win since November 3, 2010, a span of 27 games. Alberta defeated Regina 44-42 last weekend. The previous week they lost 42-41 to Saskatchewan in overtime and fell 71-3 to Calgary in the opening weekend of play.
“There are no easy games on the Canada West schedule,” said Olson. “Alberta is a young and talented team that competes game in and game out. They have a number of explosive players, especially on the offensive side of the ball, so we will have our hands full.”
Alberta quarterback Curtis Dell leads the Canada West in passing, averaging 342 yards per game. He also has six touchdown passes and just one interception on the season. Another player to watch out for is Aundrey Webster. He leads the conference in all-purpose yards with 188 yards per game.
Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm Saturday, September 27 at David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium.
(Source: UBC Thunderbirds Sports Information)
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