FEATURED POLL
See Results Bison Football lose to #4 Calgary by a 25-18 score
Bison need to beat Regina on Fri., Oct. 24 to earn post-season berth
October 18th, 2008 5:00pm
Bison FTB Canada West Football Game Report: Saturday, October 18/08 at Manitoba
#4 Calgary 25 Manitoba 18 On Saturday, October 18 at University Stadium (University of Manitoba campus) in front of 750 supporters, the defending Vanier Cup champion Manitoba Bisons football team (3-4) were defeated by the #4 ranked Calgary Dinos (5-2) by a score of 25-18. With the victory, the Dinos clinched a playoff spot and Manitoba will have to beat Regina next week to capture the final conference playoff spot. In a game that had three lead changes, the Dinos took advantage of a gusty wind (25-35 km/h) in the fourth quarter and proceeded to score 11 unanswered points to reverse a 18-14 end of third quarter deficit into a final win. The visitors earned their first win at University Stadium since 1998 when they continued the first drive of the final quarter. With the Dinos facing third and five on the Bisons’ 48, head coach Blake Nill pulled a surprise direct snap to slotback Taylor Altilio (Calgary, AB) who rushed for 11 yards to sustain the drive. With the momentum continuing, Calgary alternated run and pass that culminated in Deke Junior (Regina, SK) finding K.C. Prince (Raymond, AB) in the end zone for a four yard TD and a 21-18 lead. A lead the Dinos would not relinquish for the rest of the game. Both teams were stymied by strong defensive efforts as neither team could find a lot of rhythm, as the quarter scores were 4-0, 12-7 and 18-14. Wind was a prevailing factor as Calgary jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead with the wind in the first and Manitoba then had the wind in the second and third and outscored the Dinos by a 18-10 margin, Conference second leading rusher Matt Walter (Calgary, AB) had a game-high 147 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown for the Dinos. QB Deke Junior was solid as he went 16-for-29 for 153 yards and one TD plus scampered for 18 rushing yards. WR Nathan Coehoorn (Redcliffe, AB) was top Dino with six receptions for 56 yards and K Aaron Ifield (Saskatoon, SK) went 3-for-5 in FGs (longest was 43 yards which made the game a seven point advantage for Calgary with 45 seconds left in the game) and 41.5 punt average despite the conditions. LB Chase Moore (Calgary, AB) had a game-high 11 tackles and one break-up while LB Andrea Bonaventura (Hamilton, ON) had six tackles and one break-up. For the Bisons, it was fifth year day with eight seniors leaving the Herd after the season. QB John Make (Regina, SK) in his fifth season went 20-for-37 with one TD and two picks. RB Matt Henry (Mississauga, ON) had his second consecutive 100 yard game with 131 yards on 26 carries. WR Mike Mizerski (Toronto, ON) had a game-high seven catches for 71 yards and a 16 yard TD. K Scott Dixon (Victoria, BC) was a perfect 3-for-3 on FGs and nailed a 52 yarder for the second longest in team history. SB Terry Firr (Windsor, ON) had two grabs, which pushed him to 151 career receptions and placed him as the new all-time Bison receiver in career receptions. LB Kenton Onofrychuk (Winnipeg, MB) was top Bison with seven tackles and moved into second for Bisons all-time in tackles (171.5). An unhappy Bisons head coach Brian Dobie said, “Calgary played well today and now we have a playoff situation going into Regina next week. We will need a total team effort if we are to succeed; the same effort that was given during our Vanier Cup run last season.” #4 Calgary will play at Alberta (1-6) at Foote Field on Saturday, October 25 at 2 p.m. The crucial Manitoba at Regina (4-3) game for the final Canada West playoff spot will be on Friday, October 24 at 8 p.m. CT. The Bisons need a win to join the post-season for a fourth consecutive season.
#4 Calgary 25 Manitoba 18 On Saturday, October 18 at University Stadium (University of Manitoba campus) in front of 750 supporters, the defending Vanier Cup champion Manitoba Bisons football team (3-4) were defeated by the #4 ranked Calgary Dinos (5-2) by a score of 25-18. With the victory, the Dinos clinched a playoff spot and Manitoba will have to beat Regina next week to capture the final conference playoff spot. In a game that had three lead changes, the Dinos took advantage of a gusty wind (25-35 km/h) in the fourth quarter and proceeded to score 11 unanswered points to reverse a 18-14 end of third quarter deficit into a final win. The visitors earned their first win at University Stadium since 1998 when they continued the first drive of the final quarter. With the Dinos facing third and five on the Bisons’ 48, head coach Blake Nill pulled a surprise direct snap to slotback Taylor Altilio (Calgary, AB) who rushed for 11 yards to sustain the drive. With the momentum continuing, Calgary alternated run and pass that culminated in Deke Junior (Regina, SK) finding K.C. Prince (Raymond, AB) in the end zone for a four yard TD and a 21-18 lead. A lead the Dinos would not relinquish for the rest of the game. Both teams were stymied by strong defensive efforts as neither team could find a lot of rhythm, as the quarter scores were 4-0, 12-7 and 18-14. Wind was a prevailing factor as Calgary jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead with the wind in the first and Manitoba then had the wind in the second and third and outscored the Dinos by a 18-10 margin, Conference second leading rusher Matt Walter (Calgary, AB) had a game-high 147 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown for the Dinos. QB Deke Junior was solid as he went 16-for-29 for 153 yards and one TD plus scampered for 18 rushing yards. WR Nathan Coehoorn (Redcliffe, AB) was top Dino with six receptions for 56 yards and K Aaron Ifield (Saskatoon, SK) went 3-for-5 in FGs (longest was 43 yards which made the game a seven point advantage for Calgary with 45 seconds left in the game) and 41.5 punt average despite the conditions. LB Chase Moore (Calgary, AB) had a game-high 11 tackles and one break-up while LB Andrea Bonaventura (Hamilton, ON) had six tackles and one break-up. For the Bisons, it was fifth year day with eight seniors leaving the Herd after the season. QB John Make (Regina, SK) in his fifth season went 20-for-37 with one TD and two picks. RB Matt Henry (Mississauga, ON) had his second consecutive 100 yard game with 131 yards on 26 carries. WR Mike Mizerski (Toronto, ON) had a game-high seven catches for 71 yards and a 16 yard TD. K Scott Dixon (Victoria, BC) was a perfect 3-for-3 on FGs and nailed a 52 yarder for the second longest in team history. SB Terry Firr (Windsor, ON) had two grabs, which pushed him to 151 career receptions and placed him as the new all-time Bison receiver in career receptions. LB Kenton Onofrychuk (Winnipeg, MB) was top Bison with seven tackles and moved into second for Bisons all-time in tackles (171.5). An unhappy Bisons head coach Brian Dobie said, “Calgary played well today and now we have a playoff situation going into Regina next week. We will need a total team effort if we are to succeed; the same effort that was given during our Vanier Cup run last season.” #4 Calgary will play at Alberta (1-6) at Foote Field on Saturday, October 25 at 2 p.m. The crucial Manitoba at Regina (4-3) game for the final Canada West playoff spot will be on Friday, October 24 at 8 p.m. CT. The Bisons need a win to join the post-season for a fourth consecutive season.
