SATURDAY
#10 Manitoba 37 UBC 31 (Shaw TV)
Thunderbirds-Bisons Stats
by Chris Zuk, U of Manitoba Sports Information
WINNIPEG - In the last-ever conference regular season football game played at University Stadium, it was fitting that the place went out with a bang and then some with a thrilling and eventful final game. In the end, the CIS #10 University of Manitoba Bisons eked out a 37-31 win over the UBC Thunderbirds in front of 700 hearty souls who braved the arctic winds that was the trademark of the 45-year place the Bisons called home over the seasons.
With the victory, Manitoba moves to a 4-3 record and secures a playoff spot for the first time in Canada West since winning the 2007 Vanier Cup Championship. UBC saw its two game winning streak snapped and now fall to 2-5 on the season and have been eliminated for the post-season picture.
The Bisons were reeling in the second half after taking a large 30-4 lead into halftime. UBC was jump started with a big 98-yard pass from QB Billy Greene to Jordan Grieve. Greene found WR Andrew Darcovich, Patrick Bull, and Darcovich to recapture the lead at 31-30.
Manitoba QB Cam Clark located RB/KR Anthony Coombs on an eight-yard TD pass. After a kickoff rouge, the Bisons defence bended but did not break as UBC was intercepted on the next possession and then stopped the Thunderbirds after they drove 63 yards at the end of the game.
In the first half, the Bisons notched touchdowns from RB Kienan LaFrance, Andrew Barry and Coombs.
Greene was spectacular as he went 23-28 for 428 passing yards, two interceptions and four TDs plus added another 70 rushing yards on 10 carries.
The Bisons were led by Coombs, with 177 rushing yards on 19 carries with 1 TD plus added one reception for an eight yard TD.
In the last week of the regular season, Manitoba will travel to play at Calgary (6-1) on Saturday, October 27 at 5 p.m. MT while UBC finishes at Saskatchewan (4-3) on Friday, October 26 at 7 p.m. MT.
GoBisons.ca
Saskatchewan 27 Alberta 10
Huskies-Golden Bears Stats
by Matt Gutsch, U of Alberta Sports Information
EDMONTON - The Alberta Golden Bears stalled out in their final game at home in the 2012 season, as they dropped a 27-10 decision to the Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday afternoon at Foote Field.
With the loss the Golden Bears remain winless on the season, but they can get their first next weekend when they close out the regular season at Regina against the Rams. Saskatchewan, meanwhile, clinched a 12th consecutive playoff berth with the win, and coupled with the UBC Thunderbirds loss to Manitoba, also on Saturday, the Huskies will likely finish third in Canada West and travel to Regina in the opening round of the playoffs. Manitoba has earned the final post-season berth in Canada West, and will likely travel to Calgary for the first round. Both Alberta and UBC will miss the playoffs this season.
Alberta’s lone touchdown on Saturday was recorded by sophomore receiver Dillon Prince.
Saskatchewan QB Chase Bradshaw, starting in place of Drew Burko, tossed three touchdown passes while completing 17 of 28 passes for 230 yards, and with one INT. Speedy receiver Kit Hillis, the Canada West leader in receiving yards, caught seven balls for 111 yards and one TD, while Charlie Power and running-back Shane Buchanan also caught a TD pass each. Buchanan also picked up 61 rushing yards.
Fifth-year Saskatchewan safety Bryce McCall tied a CIS, Canada West and Huskies record in the third quarter when he intercepted a Curtis Dell pass for his 21st career interception. With one game remaining, the veteran defensive back can become the all-time CIS leader in interceptions with just one more.
Alberta linebacker Ryan Dean led his team in tackles with 7.5, and forced one fumble and recovered two more, including the 80-yard return, to record his best game as a Golden Bear in what was final appearance at Foote Field.
bears.ualberta.ca
FRIDAY
#8 Regina 12 #2 Calgary 9
Dinos-Rams Stats
by Ben Matchett, U of Calgary Sports Information
REGINA – The CIS #2 Calgary Dinos had their worst performance of the season and fell 12-9 to the #8 Regina Rams Friday night, but still managed to clinch first place in Canada West.
The Dinos earned the top spot for the second season in a row after winning the points for/against battle against the Rams in the season series thanks to a 16-point win back on Week 1 in Calgary. With just one week remaining, the Dinos (6-1) hold the tie-breaker over Regina (5-2) and will enjoy home field advantage throughout the Canada West playoffs. Regina clinches second and will host a semfinal.
The story of the game can be told in the three Calgary turnovers. The first came late in the first quarter with the Dinos driving when Joey Dwyer picked off an errant Eric Dzwilewski pass and returned it 54 yards to the end zone on what turned out to be the only Rams touchdown of the night.
Minutes later, the Dinos were driving again but a big gain turned into a turnover. Dzwilewski completed a 32-yard strike to Richard Snyder – but Snyder was blindsided by Dwyer, the ball popped loose, and the Rams recovered – leading to their only offensive points of the night, a 33-yard Taylor Wandler field goal.
With Dzwilewski pulled in favour of backup Andrew Buckley late in the third, the Dinos started to move the ball. Buckley led the Dinos on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown toss to Brett Blaszko – and a punt single pulled the Dinos within a field goal at 12-9.
It looked like that field goal was within reach as the offence again began marching downfield. With the Dinos first-and-10 at the Regina 27-yard line and 90 seconds to play, Buckley was picked off by Justin Edralin – sending the Rams into victory formation.
Calgary closes the season next Saturday with a home date against the Manitoba Bisons, with Regina facing Alberta at home.
Rams & Cougars Athletics