Weekend Preview

University of Manitoba Bison Sports

Press Release

November 1, 2001

Football Hosts Canada West Semi-Final; Volleyball Opens Regular Season

# 3 Ranked Bison Football Anxious to get Play-Offs Underway
The Manitoba Bisons put their seven game winning streak on the line this weekend when they host the Calgary Dinosaurs in Canada West football semi-final action. However there is much more at stake then the streak, and that is a chance to get back to the Hardy Cup Final, the site of last year's heart-breaking loss to the Regina Rams.

The Herd (7-1) and Dinos (3-5) have met twice already this season including last week in Calgary, in a game that wrapped up both teams' regular seasons. The season series between these two teams has been one-sided to say the least, with Manitoba winning both games by a combined score of 83-6. Manitoba won 49-6 back on September 15 at home and then pitched their second shutout of the season last Friday when they blanked the Dinos 34-0 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

In Canada West Play-off history these two teams have only met once in the last 25 years with that game taking place in 1985 when the Dinos defeated the Bisons 52-13 in the Canada West final.

Last weekend's win was once again a product of the nastiest defence in the Conference making yet another statement. Led by Canada West Defensive Player of the Week David Hewson, the Herd forced ten Calgary turnovers including four interceptions, two fumbles and four turnovers on downs. Of those ten turnovers, Hewson had three himself, picking off two passes, recovering a fumble and adding 6 tackles for good measure. The native of Winnipeg, and a product of the Fort Garry Lions, Hewson is in his second year of eligibility, but first as a starter. If there were any question marks concerning Manitoba's defence at the start of the year they would have been directed at the secondary, but Hewson and rookie Ryan Saurette have more than answered those questions with their play this season.

The rest of the defence was stifling as well, holding the Dinos to just 226 yards in total net offence a figure that includes only 94 yards on the ground. The 94 yards rushing against kept another Bison streak alive,and that is not allowing a team to rush for more than 100 yards in a game this season. Linebacker Joey Mikawoz had another outstanding game for the Herd last weekend, adding 9 tackles upping his team leading total to 49, and rush end Dave Tucker was also solid, sacking Calgary QB Brent Hargreaves once and chipping in with three tackles.

On the offensive side of the ball, Jamie Boreham did a large portion of the damage as he nailed 4 out of 5 field goals (including a 52 yarder), 3 converts and a single for 16 points. The safety/kicker/punter was named the Canada West Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Boreham finished the season with a CIS leading and team record 114 points. This past week was also the second time in three weeks that Manitoba players have captured both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards.

Last week's win over Calgary did not come without a price as Brian Dobie's squad came home banged up including, head injuries to running back Ken Vermette and half back Ryan Saurette. Vermette appears to have recovered, but Saurette's status is still in question and may not be known until game time Sunday. Several other Bisons are banged up, but other than Saurette, none appear to be serious enough to keep players out of the big game on Sunday.

Although the season series has been lopsided between these two teams, Manitoba will not take the Dinos lightly this weekend. Calgary is only one of two teams to defeat the Bisons in the last two seasons and they have a history of winning in the play-offs including Vanier Cup wins in 1995, 1988, 1985, and 1983.

Play-Off football is always hard-hitting and nasty and this weekend's affair should be no different as these two squads hook up for the second time in two weeks with a berth in the Hardy Cup final at stake.

Women's Basketball-Hosts St. F.X. Sunday and travels to UND on Monday
The women's basketball team will host St. Francis Xavier on Sunday morning in non-conference action and then travel to UND on Monday for the team's last pre-season warm-up. The women's team is coming off of a 1-2 result at last weekend's tourney in Laval where they lost to Toronto and Laval and defeated UPEI. In that tournament Anna Drewniak was named a tournament All-Star. Games go Sunday at 10:30 AM at IGAC and 6:00 in Grand Forks, ND on Monday night

Men's Hockey-Herd to take on Huskies in key first half series
The men's hockey team will take on the Saskatchewan Huskies this weekend in Saskatoon in what has become an important series early in the year. The Huskies currently sit in first in the Great Plains division of Canada West and the Herd is fourth, but the two teams are separated by only four points.

The Bisons have not won in five games and two wins this weekend would pull the Herd even with the Huskies and make the divisional race for first a new ball game. More than that however, a couple of victories would do wonders for the team's confidence as Mike Sirant's team has been playing well, but has not been rewarded with wins.

Last weekend, Calgary's Scott Rideout did the Herd in with two solid performances between the pipes stopping 70 of 73 shots, with several of those saves robbing Bison shooters from point-blank range.

The Huskies normally bring out the best in Manitoba and this weekend should be no different. The rivalry that has built up between these two teams in the last seven years is as good as any in Canada West and this weekend's two-game set should feature a lot of physical play and a high tempo.

Games go Friday and Saturday at 7:00 PM at the University of Saskatchewan

Men's Basketball-Herd take part in Naismith Classic
Rick Suffield's Men's Basketball team is in Waterloo this weekend to take part in the prestigious Naismith Classic. The Herd are coming off of two disappointing losses in last weekend's Midway Chrysler Tournament and this weekend's non-conference action will be the team's last chance to tune-up before the regular season opens next week against Brandon. Manitoba will open this weekend's tourney against Memorial on Friday at 6:00 PM and will then play at either 8:00 PM or 2:00 PM depending on Friday's result. The Herd will finish the tourney on Sunday with their game time to be determined by their result on Saturday.