Posted: Nov 12, 2013
In the first duel of Saturday's doubleheader on Sportsnet 360 and Radio-Canada, the second-ranked and defending Vanier Cup champ Laval Rouge et Or (10-0) travel to Sackville, N.B., to take on the surprising Mount Allison Mounties (6-4) in the Uteck Bowl at MacAulay Field at 1:30 p.m. Atlantic Time (12:30 EST).
The Centaur Mitchell Bowl follows at 2 p.m. Mountain Time (4 p.m. EST) with the No. 1 Western Mustangs (10-0) visiting the No. 3 Dinos (10-0) at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
Both games can also be seen on the web at www.CIS-SIC.tv.
It marks the first time since 2005 that three contenders advance to the national Final Four with unblemished records. Since 1965, only three Vanier Cup matchups have featured undefeated teams, including in 2005 (Laurier vs. Saskatchewan), 1986 (UBC vs. Western) and 1966 (StFX vs. Waterloo Lutheran).
The last team to complete the CIS football season with a perfect mark – and the 13th in history - was Laval in 2010.
Expect fireworks in the second half of Saturday's doubleheader at McMahon Stadium, where old foes will renew a rivalry that had been put on hold for almost two decades.
Calgary and Western have battled four times in the past, twice in Bowl games and twice at the Vanier Cup. Despite playing two of those games in the Mustangs' house in London and the other two in hostile territory in Toronto, the Dinos show a 3-1 head-to-head record, including a 24-22 loss in 1977 (Forest City Bowl), a 25-6 win in 1985 (Vanier Cup), a 34-15 victory in 1988 (Western Bowl) and a 54-24 triumph in the most recent rendez-vous in 1995 (Vanier Cup).
The battle of undefeated teams features a Western squad ranked first in the country in scoring (57.2 ppg), total yards (647.8 ypg) and passing (422.0) and third in rushing (225.8), as well as a Calgary roster seeded first in the nation in rushing (232.2) and third in both scoring (42.4) and total offence (549.8).
Like Mount Allison, the Mustangs and Dinos are both led by super sophomores crowned league MVPs.
Quarterback Will Finch set single-season conference records for passing yards (3,047) and completion percentage (69.7) as Western became the highest-scoring team in OUA history with 458 points in eight contests, the third best tally in CIS annals.
Calgary counters with running back Mercer Timmis, who led CIS in rushing with 1,157 yards and established new Canada West season standards for most all-purpose touchdowns (19) and rushing majors (18), both tops in the nation this fall.
Finch and Timmis are the faces of two programs that might have achieved success a little quicker than expected in 2013.
The Dinos claimed their record sixth straight Hardy Trophy despite losing no less than 15 players to the CFL draft over the last three years, including defensive tackle Linden Gaydosh, the first player selected last spring.
The Mustangs, who put an end to McMaster's two-reign reign in the OUA, started nine second-year players on offence at one point this season.
Blake Nill, the Dinos sideline boss, was very complimentary of his next opponent.
“We are excited to be back in the Mitchell Bowl. Playing Western is a great opportunity for our program – they're the best team in the country this year, Coach Marshall has done an outstanding job building that team, and we relish the opportunity to learn from this experience. We will prepare as well as we can, and I believe that the experience we will gain will be very beneficial to our program in the near future.
“Our defence has been completely rebuilt for the season based on our graduation and guys that have gone to the pros. We have had moments where we've played well and moments where we haven't, and inconsistency is not uncommon with a team this young. Western will challenge us physically... it's a unique offence unlike any other we've seen, and we will need to be ready for the physicality of that offence.”
Nill, whose troops dominated Manitoba 43-28 in the Canada West final, was quick to point out that Western excels at both ends of the field.
“Their defence is very good as well. Mixed with a lot of senior players and recognized athletes, and they have the best defensive line that we will have seen this year. Again, it'll be a challenge for us, but one that we have to accept positively and look at this as an opportunity to build our program. That's how we're approaching it.”
CENTAUR MITCHELL BOWL
When: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2:00 p.m. MST (4 p.m. EST)
Where: McMahon Stadium, Calgary, Alta.
Who: No. 1 Western Mustangs (10-0) at No. 3 Calgary Dinos (10-0)
TV: Sportsnet 360 & Radio-Canada
Web: www.CIS-SIC.tv
CALGARY DINOS (Canada West champions)
2013 season summary
Overall record: 10-0
Regular season record: 8-0
Regular season standing: 1st
Playoff record: 2-0
Top 10 final ranking (Oct. 29): No. 3
Top 10 best ranking: No. 3 (polls 1 & 6 to 10)
Top 10 lowest ranking: No. 5 (polls 2 to 5)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (10 polls): 10
Regular season offence points (42.4 ppg): 1st CW / 3rd CIS
Regular season offence total yards (549.8 ypg): 1st CW / 3rd CIS
Regular season offence passing (317.5 ypg): 3rd CW / 8th CIS
Regular season offence rushing (232.2 ypg): 1st CW / 1st CIS
Regular season defence points (22.9 ppg): 1st CW / 8th CIS
Regular season defence total yards (448.2 ypg): 4th CW / 19th CIS
Regular season defence passing (320.6 ypg): 4th CW / 21st CIS
Regular season defence rushing (127.6 ypg): 1st CW / 9th CIS
2013 results
Aug. 31 (away): Calgary 41, UBC 31
Sept. 6 (away): Calgary 34, Regina 27
Sept. 14 (home): Calgary 36, Saskatchewan 24
Sept. 20 (home): Calgary 48, Manitoba 24
Sept. 28 (away): Calgary 76, Alberta 21
Oct. 4 (away): Calgary 24, Saskatchewan 12
Oct. 18 (home): Calgary 46, Regina 27
Oct. 25 (home): Calgary 34, UBC 17
Nov. 2 (home): Calgary 42, UBC 28 (CW semifinal)
Nov. 9 (home): Calgary 43, Manitoba 28 (CW final)
2013 Canada West individual honours
Major awards: Mercer Timmis (MVP), Doctor Cassama (defensive MVP), Rashaun Simonise (rookie), Andrew Buckley (Russ Jackson Award nominee), Blake Nill (coach)
All-stars offence: Andrew Buckley (QB), Mercer Timmis (RB), Chris Dobko (IR), Sean McEwen (C), Sukh Chungh (G)
All-stars defence: Tyler Langlais (DE), Doctor Cassama (LB), Tom Spoletini (LB), Cyril Iwanegbe (DB), Adam Laurensse (CB)
All-stars special teams: Johnny Mark (K)
All-time head-to-head vs. Western
Overall record: 3-1
1995 (neutral: SkyDome, Toronto): 54-24 win (Vanier Cup)
1988 (away): 34-15 win (Western Bowl)
1985 (neutral: Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 25-6 win (Vanier Cup)
1977 (away): 24-22 loss (Forest City Bowl)
Bowl history (since inception of national semi-finals in 1967)
Overall record: 7-6
Home record: 3-1
Away record: 4-5
2012 (away): 45-6 loss vs. McMaster (Mitchell Bowl)
2011 (home): 41-10 loss vs. Laval (Mitchell Bowl)
2010 (home): 35-8 win vs. Saint Mary's (Mitchell Bowl)
2009 (away): 38-14 win vs. Saint Mary's (Uteck Bowl)
2008 (away): 59-10 loss vs. Laval (Uteck Bowl)
1995 (home): 37-7 win vs. Ottawa (Churchill Bowl)
1993 (away): 37-23 win vs. Saint Mary's (Atlantic Bowl)
1992 (away): 21-11 loss vs. Saint Mary's (Atlantic Bowl)
1988 (away): 34-15 win vs. Western (Central Bowl)
1985 (home): 56-14 win vs. Carleton (Western Bowl)
1984 (away): 12-7 loss vs. Guelph (Central Bowl)
1977 (away): 24-22 loss vs. Western (Forest City Bowl)
1975 (away): 38-13 win vs. Acadia (Atlantic Bowl)
Vanier Cup history
All-time record: 4-4
2010 (PEPS Stadium, Quebec City): 29-2 loss vs. Laval
2009 (PEPS Stadium, Quebec City): 33-31 loss vs. Queen's
1995 (SkyDome, Toronto): 54-24 win vs. Western
1993 (SkyDome, Toronto): 37-34 loss vs. Toronto
1988 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 52-23 win vs. Saint Mary's
1985 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 25-6 win vs. Western
1983 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 31-21 win vs. Queen's
1975 (CNE Stadium, Toronto): 14-9 loss vs. Ottawa
Head coach: Blake Nill
Season: 16th (8th with Calgary / 8 with Saint Mary's 1998-2005)
Career regular season record: 96-32 (.750) / 47-17 with Calgary (.734)
Career playoff record: 26-11 (.703) / 14-6 with Calgary (.700)
Career overall record (season and playoffs): 122-43 (.739) / 61-23 with Calgary (.726)
Career overall record vs. Western: 0-0
Bowl record: 6-5 / 2-3 with Calgary
Bowl wins: 2010, 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999
Bowl losses: 2012, 2011, 2008, 2004, 2000
Vanier Cup record: 2-4 / 0-2 with Calgary
Vanier Cup wins: 2002, 2001
Vanier Cup losses: 2010, 2009, 2003, 1999
WESTERN MUSTANGS (OUA champions)
2013 season summary
Overall record: 10-0
Regular season record: 8-0
Regular season standing: 1st
Playoff record: 2-0
Top 10 final ranking (Oct. 29): No. 1
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (polls 6 to 10)
Top 10 lowest ranking: No. 4 (polls 1 & 2)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (10 polls): 10
Regular season offence points (57.2 ppg): 1st OUA / 1st CIS
Regular season offence total yards (647.8 ypg): 1st OUA / 1st CIS
Regular season offence passing (422.0 ypg): 1st OUA / 1st CIS
Regular season offence rushing (225.8 ypg): 1st OUA / 3rd CIS
Regular season defence points (18.5 ppg): 2nd OUA / 6th CIS
Regular season defence total yards (387.6 ypg): 3rd OUA / 8th CIS
Regular season defence passing (277.8 ypg): 6th OUA / 15th CIS
Regular season defence rushing (109.9 ypg): 2nd OUA / 6th CIS
2013 results
Aug. 25 (away): Western 50, Toronto 14
Sept. 2 (home): Western 71, Carleton 4
Sept. 7 (away): Western 58, McMaster 15
Sept. 14 (home): Western 83, Ottawa 27
Sept. 21 (away): Western 45, Laurier 24
Sept. 28 (home): Western 50, Queen's 31
Oct. 5 (away): Western 51, Windsor 23
Oct. 19 (home): Western 50, York 10
Nov. 2 (home): Western 32, McMaster 3 (OUA semifinal)
Nov. 9 (home): Western 51, Queen's 22 (OUA final)
2013 OUA individual honours
Major awards: Will Finch (MVP), Pawel Kruba (defensive MVP), Greg Marshall (coach)
All-stars offence (First Team): Will Finch (QB), Brian Marshall (IR), George Johnson (WR), Matthew Van Praet (C), Kadeem Adams (T)
All-stars defence (First team): Daryl Waud (DT), Dylan Ainsworth (DE), Pawel Kruba (LB), Beau Landry (LB)
All-stars special teams (First Team): Lirim Hajrullahu (K & P)
All-stars offence (Second Team): Joe Circelli (C), Eddie Meredith (T)
All-stars defence (Second Team): Ricky Osei-Kusi (DE), Simon Bahru (CB)
All-stars special teams (Second Team): None
All-time head-to-head vs. Calgary
Overall record: 1-3
1995 (neutral: SkyDome, Toronto): 54-24 loss (Vanier Cup)
1988 (home): 34-15 loss (Western Bowl)
1985 (neutral: Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 25-6 loss (Vanier Cup)
1977 (home): 24-22 win (Forest City Bowl)
Bowl history (since inception of national semi-finals in 1967)
Overall record: 12-7
Home record: 6-1
Away record: 6-6
2010 (away): 13-11 loss vs. Laval (Uteck Bowl)
2008 (home): 28-12 win vs. Saint Mary's (Mitchell Bowl)
2007 (away): 52-20 loss vs. Manitoba (Mitchell Bowl)
1998 (away): 33-17 loss vs. Saskatchewan (Churchill Bowl)
1995 (away): 55-45 OT win vs. Acadia (Atlantic Bowl)
1994 (away): 41-24 win vs. Bishop's (Churchill Bowl)
1990 (away): 31-30 loss vs. Saint Mary's (Atlantic Bowl)
1989 (away): 38-33 win vs. Saint Mary's (Atlantic Bowl)
1988 (home): 34-15 loss vs. Calgary (Western Bowl)
1986 (away): 29-22 win vs. Acadia (Atlantic Bowl)
1985 (away): 34-3 win vs. Mount Allison (Atlantic Bowl)
1982 (home): 17-7 win vs. Concordia (Western Bowl)
1981 (away): 32-31 loss vs. Alberta (Western Bowl)
1980 (away): 14-4 loss vs. Alberta (Western Bowl)
1979 (home): 32-14 win vs. Queen's (Yates Cup)
1977 (home): 24-22 win vs. Calgary (Forest City Bowl)
1976 (home): 30-8 win vs. UBC (Forest City Bowl)
1974 (home): 41-17 win vs. Saskatchewan (Central Bowl)
1971 (away): 44-13 win vs. Saint Mary's (Atlantic Bowl)
Vanier Cup history
All-time record: 6-6
2008 (Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton): 44-21 loss vs. Laval
1995 (SkyDome, Toronto): 54-24 loss vs. Calgary
1994 (SkyDome, Toronto): 50-40 OT win vs. Saskatchewan
1989 (SkyDome, Toronto): 35-10 win vs. Saskatchewan
1986 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 25-23 loss vs. UBC
1985 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 25-6 loss vs. Calgary
1982 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 39-14 loss vs. UBC
1979 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 34-12 loss vs. Acadia
1977 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 48-15 win vs. Acadia
1976 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 29-13 win vs. Acadia
1974 (CNE Stadium, Toronto): 19-15 win vs. Toronto
1971 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 15-14 win vs. Alberta
Head coach: Greg Marshall
Season: 14th (7th with Western / 7 with McMaster 1997-2003)
Career regular season record: 86-24-2 (.777) / 44-12 with Western (.786)
Career playoff record: 25-12 (.676) / 14-6 with Western (.700)
Career overall record (season and playoffs): 111-36-2 (.748) / 58-18 with Western (.763)
Career overall record vs. Calgary: 0-0
Bowl record: 1-6 / 1-2 with Western
Bowl wins: 2008
Bowl losses: 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000
Vanier Cup record: 0-1 / 0-1 with Western
Vanier Cup wins: None
Vanier Cup losses: 2008
UTECK BOWL
When: Saturday, Nov. 16, 1:30 p.m. AST (12:30 p.m. EST)
Where: MacAulay Field, Sackville, N.B.
Who: No. 2 Laval Rouge et Or (10-0) at Mount Allison Mounties (6-4)
TV: Sportsnet 360 & Radio-Canada
Web: www.CIS-SIC.tv
LAVAL ROUGE ET OR (RSEQ champions)
2013 season summary
Overall record: 10-0
Regular season record: 8-0
Regular season standing: 1st
Playoff record: 2-0
Top 10 final ranking (Oct. 29): No. 2
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (polls 1 to 5)
Top 10 lowest ranking: No. 2 (polls 6 to 10)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (10 polls): 10
Regular season offence points (34.1 ppg): 1st RSEQ / 7th CIS
Regular season offence total yards (419.8 ypg): 3rd RSEQ / 15th CIS
Regular season offence passing (203.1 ypg): 5th RSEQ / 23rd CIS
Regular season offence rushing (216.6 ypg): 1st RSEQ / 5th CIS
Regular season defence points (11.5 ppg): 1st RSEQ / 1st CIS
Regular season defence total yards (316.4 ypg): 2nd RSEQ / 4th CIS
Regular season defence passing (240.6 ypg): 3rd RSEQ / 9th CIS
Regular season defence rushing (75.8 ypg): 1st RSEQ / 1st CIS
2013 results
Aug. 31 (home): Laval 32, McGill 8
Sept. 7 (away): Laval 20, Sherbrooke 0
Sept. 14 (away): Laval 26, Acadia 14
Sept. 22 (home): Laval 16, Montreal 9
Sept. 28 (away): Laval 46, Bishop's 38
Oct. 6 (home): Laval 65, Concordia 9
Oct. 20 (home): Laval 38, Sherbrooke 3
Oct. 28 (away): Laval 30, Montreal 11
Nov. 2 (home): Laval 32, Sherbrooke 11 (RSEQ semifinal)
Nov. 9 (home): Laval 14, Montreal 11 (RSEQ final)
2013 RSEQ individual honours
Major awards: None
All-stars offence: Pascal Lochard (RB), Pierre Lavertu (C), Charles Vaillancourt (G), Karl Lavoie (T)
All-stars defence: Brendan Tennant (DT), Mathieu Masseau (LB), Abel Boucher (DB), Maximilien Ducap (CB)
All-stars special teams: Boris Bede (K & P), Guillaume Rioux (RET)
All-time head-to-head vs. Mount Allison
Overall record: 1-0
2009 (home): 73-7 win (regular season)
Bowl history (since inception of national semi-finals in 1967)
Overall record: 8-4
Home record: 5-0
Away record: 2-4
2012 (home): 42-7 win vs. Acadia (Uteck Bowl)
2011 (away): 41-10 win vs. Calgary (Mitchell Bowl)
2010 (home): 13-11 win vs. Western (Uteck Bowl)
2009 (away): 33-30 loss vs. Queen's (Mitchell Bowl)
2008 (home): 59-10 win vs. Calgary (Uteck Bowl)
2007 (away): 24-2 loss vs. Saint Mary's (Uteck Bowl)
2006 (home): 57-10 win vs. Acadia (Uteck Bowl)
2005 (away): 29-27 loss vs. Saskatchewan (Mitchell Bowl)
2004 (home): 30-11 win vs. Laurier (Uteck Bowl)
2003 (away): 36-32 win vs. McMaster (Mitchell Bowl)
2001 (away): 48-8 loss vs. Saint Mary's (Atlantic Bowl)
1999 (home): 27-21 win vs. Saskatchewan (Churchill Bowl)
Vanier Cup history
All-time record: 7-1
2012 (Rogers Centre, Toronto): 37-14 win vs. McMaster
2011 (BC Place Stadium, Vancouver): 41-38 OT loss vs. McMaster
2010 (PEPS Stadium, Quebec City): 29-2 win vs. Calgary
2008 (Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton): 44-21 win vs. Western
2006 (Griffiths Stadium, Saskatoon): 13-8 win vs. Saskatchewan
2004 (Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton): 7-1 win vs. Saskatchewan
2003 (SkyDome, Toronto): 14-7 win vs. Saint Mary's
1999 (SkyDome, Toronto): 14-10 win vs. Saint Mary's
Head coach: Glen Constantin
Season: 13th
Career regular season record: 91-16 (.850)
Career playoff record: 35-8 (.814)
Career overall record (season and playoffs): 126-24 (.840)
Career overall record vs. Mount Allison: 1-0
Bowl record: 7-4
Bowl wins: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2003
Bowl losses: 2009, 2007, 2005, 2001
Vanier Cup record: 6-1
Vanier Cup wins: 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2003
Vanier Cup losses: 2011
MOUNT ALLISON UNIVERSITY MOUNTIES (AUS champions)
2013 season summary
Overall record: 6-4
Regular season record: 4-4
Regular season standing: 2nd
Playoff record: 2-0
Top 10 final ranking (Oct. 29): Unranked
Top 10 best ranking: Unranked all season
Top 10 lowest ranking: Unranked all season
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (10 polls): 0
Regular season offence points (20.8 ppg): 1st AUS / 21st CIS
Regular season offence total yards (315.2 ypg): 2nd AUS / 24th CIS
Regular season offence passing (176.6 ypg): 3rd AUS / 26th CIS
Regular season offence rushing (138.6 ypg): 2nd AUS / 17th CIS
Regular season defence points (26.9 ppg): 4th AUS / 13th CIS
Regular season defence total yards (415.9 ypg): 4th AUS / 12th CIS
Regular season defence passing (275.6 ypg): 4th AUS / 13th CIS
Regular season defence rushing (140.2 ypg): 3rd AUS / 13th CIS
2013 results
Sept. 7 (away): StFX 31, Mount Allison 10
Sept. 14 (home): McGill 48, Mount Allison 17
Sept. 20 (home): Mount Allison 29, Saint Mary's 15
Sept. 28 (away): Acadia 40, Mount Allison 9
Oct. 5 (away): StFX 30, Mount Allison 9
Oct. 12 (home): Mount Allison 42, StFX 13
Oct. 18 (away): Mount Allison 27, Saint Mary's 24
Oct. 26 (home): Mount Allison 23, Acadia 14
Nov. 2 (home): Mount Allison 19, Acadia 10 (AUS semifinal)
Nov. 9 (away): Mount Allison 20, Saint Mary's 17 (AUS final)
2013 AUS individual honours
Major awards: Jordan Botel (MVP), Stu Moore (Russ Jackson Award nominee), Kelly Jeffrey (coach)
All-stars offence: Brandon Leyh (QB), Jordan Botel (RB), Troy Trentham (IR)
All-stars defence: Jacob LeBlanc (DT), Te Nguyen (LB), Kwame Adjei (S), Donovan Saunders (CB)
All-stars special teams: Michael Bohan (RET)
All-time head-to-head vs. Laval
Overall record: 0-1
2009 (away): 73-7 loss (regular season)
Bowl history (since inception of national semi-finals in 1967)
Overall record: 2-2
Home record: 2-2 *
Away record: 0-0
1997 (home team at Huskies Stadium in Halifax): 34-29 loss vs. UBC (Atlantic Bowl)
1991 (home team at Huskies Stadium in Halifax): 31-14 win vs. Saskatchewan (Atlantic Bowl)
1985 (home team at Huskies Stadium in Halifax): 34-3 loss vs. Western (Atlantic Bowl)
1984 (home team at Huskies Stadium in Halifax): 29-17 win vs. Queen's (Atlantic Bowl)
*2013 Uteck Bowl marks Mount Allison's first-ever Bowl game on home turf at MacAulay Field
Vanier Cup history
All-time record: 0-2
1991 (SkyDome, Toronto): 25-18 loss vs. Laurier
1984 (Varsity Stadium, Toronto): 22-13 loss vs. Guelph
Head coach: Kelly Jeffrey
Season: 6th
Career regular season record: 13-35 (.271)
Career playoff record: 2-3 (.400)
Career overall record (season and playoffs): 15-38 (.283)
Career overall record vs. Laval: 0-1
Bowl record: 0-0
Bowl wins: None
Bowl losses: None
Vanier Cup record: 0-0
Vanier Cup wins: None
Vanier Cup losses: None
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, 11,000 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 55 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca.