November 23 - On Friday, November 23 at Rogers Centre in Toronto in front of nearly 27,000 loud football fans, the #3 ranked Manitoba Bisons (12-0) football defeated the #4 Saint Mary’s Huskies (9-2) by a 28-14 score in the 41st annual Desjardins Vanier Cup (CIS Championship) game.

The Manitoba Bisons ended their 37 year drought between CIS Football National Championships (the previous titles: 1970, 1969)

“This is awesome! I cannot put into words my thoughts. I am so proud of everyone and how we stayed together as a family,” stated Bison football head coach Brian Dobie. “There are now three major important events in my life: my wedding day with my wife Jackie, the birth of our daughter Caleigh, and this Vanier Cup win.”

For the CIS National Championship game, fifth year defensive back Mike Howard won the Ted Morris award for most outstanding defensive player, while fourth year quarterback John Makie took home the Bruce Coulter award for most outstanding offensive player

Manitoba allowed the first score of the game after a long Saint Mary’s drive on their first possession. The Bisons followed up with a drive that culminated in a Scott Dixon 40 yard field goal. Late in the quarter, the Bisons had a drive of five plays for 39 yards and Dixon had his second FG from the 27 yard line. After one, Saint Mary’s 7-6.

The Bisons intercepted a throw by Huskies’ Ted Abraham. Mike Howard had his second interception and that started a drive that would lead to a Bison touchdown. Six minutes into the second quarter, after a drive of four plays in just over two minutes, WR Steve Gronick caught a 39 yard reception from QB John Makie to give the Bisons there first lead of the game.

The Bisons almost blocked the Saint Mary’s FG attempt, as Mike Howard came flying in from the side, and the Huskies had to settle for a single point with 5:25 left in the second. The Bisons threw a 57 yard bomb in the last minute of the second quarter (Makie to WR Terry Firr) to bring them within field goal range, but Dixon’s kick hit the uprights and no points. At the half, Manitoba led 13-8.

In their first drive of the third quarter, the Bisons gained 52 yards in seven plays, assisted by a defensive penalty of ten yards. Makie ran in the second Manitoba touchdown, his first rushing TD of the 2007 season. The Bisons’ Howard made his third interception of the game with just over five minutes left in the third, tying a CIS record for interceptions in a playoff game (Kurtis Alberts, SK, 1998). The Bisons then drove 34 yards in two minutes, and culminated in another Dixon FG from 32 yards.

Heading into the final quarter, Manitoba led 23-8. In less than a minute, Dixon had his fourth FG from 33 yards out. Huskie fans finally had something to cheer at 3:35 into the fourth quarter when Shawn White caught an eight yard pass from Abraham after a seven play, 75 yard drive. Their attempt at a two-point conversion was unsuccessful. The Huskies failed to score the rest of the quarter, and gave up a final safety. Final score at the 2007 Vanier Cup: Manitoba 28, St. Mary’s 14.

This was the first time that Manitoba has played for a National Championship since 2001. The Herd completed their perfect streak for 2007 with twelve consecutive wins. All three times they have won the Vanier Cup have come in Toronto.

For Manitoba, Makie went 16-31 passing for 1 TD and 261 yards, and ran in 1 TD. Terry Firr was the top receiver with four catches for 82 yards; Randy Simmons had four grabs for 48 yards; and Steve Gronick had 63 yards and 1 TD on three receptions. Karim Lowen rushed for 88 yards on 19 carries and Matt Henry had 42 yards on three carries before leaving at the end of the first. Scott Dixon had four field goals (4-5), which tied for the third most in Vanier Cup history. On defence, Jeff Alamolhoda led the way with 6.5 tackles, Bob Reist and Simon Patrick had five tackles each while Mike Howard had three interceptions (one for a return of 42 yards) and three tackles. The Bisons recorded four sacks (Justin Shaw with two, Simon Patrick and Justin Cooper with one each).

For the Huskies, QB Ted Abraham was 15-32 passing for 192 yards, 2 TDs and 3 INTs. WR Ryean Warburton had four catches for 39 yards; Shawn White with four grabs for 35 yards and 1 TD; and Fraser O’Neill with three receptions for 61 yards and 1 TD. On the ground, Jacques Lumbala had 98 yards on 14 carries (7.0 avg.) and Alistair Blair with 31 yards on five carries. On defence, Andrew King had a game-high nine tackles, Saleem Borhot had 7.5 tackles and Marc Bestwick had 5.5 tackles. The Huskies had two sacks.

The Bison capture the Vanier Cup for the first time since the back-to-back Championship teams in 1970 and 1969. The Herd is the first Canada West team to hold the Vanier Cup since Saskatchewan in 1998 (24-17 over Concordia).

Vanier Cup final thoughts: This is the 38th CIS Championship by a Manitoba Bisons team and the first in five seasons (Men’s Volleyball: 2002-03)…. The Bisons did not score on their first drive of the game in each of the twelve games this (eight conference games plus four playoffs games)…. Manitoba allowed the opposition to score on their first drive in only their third game of the season (Regina scored on first drive on Oct. 20 and Regina scored on first drive on Nov. 10)…. RB Matt Henry was carted away from field with a broken right femur after a strong hit by Huskies’ Jeff Zelinski to his knee, after completing a 29 yard run with 55 seconds left in the first quarter…. There was an approximately ten minute delay while medics tended to Henry on the field…. In the second quarter, the Bisons outscored Saint Mary’s 7-1 -- over the four playoff games they outscored their opponents by a 70-1 margin in second quarter action…. The Bisons are now 21-1 over the last two seasons and Makie has started every game…. Dixon finished with 31 field goals over the entire 2007 season (18 in regular season, 13 in playoffs)… The other Bison Vanier Cup championship scores were 1970 Vanier Cup – Manitoba 38 Ottawa 11 at Toronto (Nov. 21); 1969 Vanier Cup – Manitoba 24 McGill 15 at Toronto (Nov. 21)…. This was the seventh most points scored in a playoff game by Manitoba in team history…. Manitoba won four consecutive playoff games for the first time in team history…. Official Attendance: 26,787 at Rogers Centre.

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