November 3 - On Saturday evening at Canad Inns Stadium, the #3 ranked Manitoba Bisons football defeated the Calgary Dinos by a 27-5 score in the Canada West Semi-Final game. The Bisons advance to the Canada West Final (Hardy Cup) for the second consecutive season and will host the #6 Regina Rams next weekend.

In a game that displayed very little in offence from both teams, it was a spectacular play at the end of the half that allowed Manitoba to take a 20-3 lead into the dressing room. Bisons QB John Makie avoided a sack and heaved a 50 yard TD pass to Jeff Strome in the end zone. Strome had to adjust to the ball while being defended and the Herd had their second TD score of the game with just nine second left in the first half.

“It was a big play,” stated Bison football head coach Brian Dobie. “The offence scored when needed and our defence was strong throughout the game. We will learn from this game and start preparing for a great battle against Regina next week.”

The Bisons were able to capitalize on a small field when the defence set-up the first touchdown after forcing a fumble and recovered by Jim Jeavons on the one yard line. RB Matt Henry ran for a one yard plunge the next play. In addition, LB Kenton Onofrychuk forced a fumble on conference leading rusher Anthony Woodson and the Bisons scored on a 35 yard TD pass from Makie to Neil Fulgueras.

The Bisons held Calgary to a field goal (and gave up a safety) and has not allowed a touchdown in over two-and-half games – a total of 150:37.

Calgary had 11 turnovers (three interceptions, four fumbles and four turnover on downs) during the game but did hold the balance of offence plays with 71 to Manitoba’s 47 and time of possession of 34:42 to 25:18 for the Herd.

For Manitoba, Makie went 7-19 passing for 2 TDs and 141 yards. Fulgueras had three catches for 56 yards and 1 TD while RB Karim Lowen had 57 yards and Matt Henry rushed for 45 yards and 1 TD. On defence, Justin Cooper was a monster with a game-high 12 tackles (one for a loss) and one forced fumble. Kenton Onofrychuk had seven tackles and one forced fumble.

For the Dinos, QB Julian Marchand was 12-24 passing for 130 yards and 3 INTs. Woodson ran for 105 yards on 18 carries while Matt Walter was 16 carries for 62 yards. WR Nathan Coehoorn led Calgary with five catches for 44 yards. On defence, DJ Wickham had seven tackles (one for a loss) and Curtis Woodley had five tackles.

Manitoba and Regina will play each other in the Canada West Final for the first time since 2001.

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