updated Canada West Records
SATURDAY
#4 Calgary 35 Manitoba 31
Dinos-Bisons Stats
WINNIPEG - In the 44th and final home opener at University Stadiumon the University of Manitoba campus, prior to a move into the new campus stadium next season, the Bisons almost pulled off an upset before falling 35-31 to the CIS #4 ranked Calgary Dinos on Saturday.
The Dinos mounted a furious comeback that was culminated by a seven-yard TD pass by second-year QB Eric Dzwilewski to Chris Dobko with 22 seconds for the winning margin.
Prior to the winning score, Calgary, coming off back-to-back Vanier Cup final appearances, chipped away at a fourth quarter 31-17 deficit by capitalizing on Manitoba¹s three turnovers all fumbles and using a short field with the winds at their back to score two touchdowns, a field goal and kickoff single in the last 6:26.
Calgary scored once on an 88-yard kickoff TD return by rookie WR Jake Harty. Anthony Coombs had two TDs for U of M and Bisons kicker Nick Boyd added three field goals. Dzwilewski scampered for a two-yard TD of his own, while Dinos rookie kicker Johnny Mark added a 13-yard FG for the Dinos.
Manitoba (0-1) now travels to play in Edmonton against the Alberta Golden Bears (0-1) on Saturday, September 10. Calgary (1-0) hosst the UBC Thunderbirds (1-0) on Friday, September 9.
gobisons.ca
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FRIDAY
#5 Saskatchewan 38 Alberta 7
Golden Bears-Huskies Stats
by Bob Florence, Huskie Sports Info Assistant
SASKATOON - The University of Saskatchewan Huskies delivered fireworks on Labour Day weekend.
The Huskies scored three touchdowns in the second quarter Friday and rolled to a 38-7 win over the Alberta Golden Bears to open the Canada West football season. The Huskies have now won their season opener for nine consecutive years.
Running back Ben Coakwell, defensive back Seamus Neary, receivers Braeden George and Garrett Bolen along with punt returner Luke Thiel scored touchdowns for Saskatchewan. Stephen McDonald added five converts and a 21-yard field goal. Defensive back Jeremy Bell scored Alberta's touchdown. Steve McCaffery had the convert.
This was Jeff Stead's first game as head coach of the Golden Bears. Stead was an assistant coach with Alberta the last three seasons. He became head coach in April after Jerry Friesen resigned. Friesen is now an assistant coach with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders. Stead was the offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Manitoba Bisons for 10 years, highlighted by winning the Vanier Cup in 2007.
Saskatchewan coach Brian Towriss has 168 career wins in the regular season and playoffs, putting him one behind the CIS record held by former Western Ontario Mustangs coach Larry Haylor, with 169. Towriss is in his 28th season as head coach of the Huskies.
Saskatchewan (1-0) is home to the Regina Rams next Friday. Alberta (0-1) has its home opener next Saturday, playing the Manitoba Bisons.
huskies.usask.ca
UBC 21 #6 Regina 10
by U of Regina Sports Information
Thunderbirds-Rams Stats
REGINA – The UBC Thunderbirds opened up the 2011 Canada West season with a 21-10 win over the No. 6-ranked Regina Rams on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.
The first five minutes of the game couldn’t have possibly gone any better for UBC. Quarterback Billy Greene fired a 63-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Grieve on the Thunderbirds’ opening drive to give the visitors the early lead. On the ensuing Rams possession, fifth-year quarterback Marc Mueller suffered a shoulder injury at the end of an eight-yard rush and didn’t return.
Billy Greene completed 15 of his 25 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns and also led UBC with 38 rushing yards. Grieve had three catches for a game-high 109 yards, while Micha Theil led UBC with four receptions. Canada West all-star Serge Kaminsky had a fantastic game on the defensive side of the ball for the Thunderbirds, getting through the line for three sacks and adding a game-high seven total tackles.
Adrian Charles had a huge game on the ground in the loss for the Rams, ending up with 192 yards on 26 rushes. Hart completed 14 of 28 passes for 134 yards, while Janotta ended up with eight catches for 99 yards.
The Rams will travel to Saskatoon next Friday to square off against Saskatchewan (1-0) at Griffiths Stadium. UBC hits the road again next weekend for a Friday clash against Calgary.
Notes: UBC’s win snaps a four-game losing streak to the Rams that dated back to 2007 ... the two teams will also meet on Saturday, Oct. 15 in Vancouver.
reginacougars.com
canadawest.tv