CIS football Saturday roundup

Source: Catherine Grace, Concordia Sports Info

MONTREAL - In the first start of his career, quarterback Pierre-Luc Dussault led the McGill Redmen to a thrilling 53-52 overtime victory over the Concordia Stingers in the 27th annual Shrine Bowl game on Saturday afternoon at Concordia Stadium in Montreal.

His team was in serious trouble, trailing 32-12 midway in the third quarter. But in the last 23 minutes of the game he connected with three receivers for touchdowns of 23, 24 and 50 yards and ran a one-yarder in himself.

Dussault led a drive in the last minute of play that saw his team move 60 yards down the field and set up a Samy Rassy field goal from 35 yards out to tie the game 46-46 and force the overtime period.

On the day, the second-year pre-medicine student from Quebec City completed 29 of 46 passes for 538 yards, three TDs and one interception.

With 538 yards he earns a spot in the RSEQ record books for the second most passing yards in a single game. Another McGill pivot Matt Connell holds the record with 557 yards, also versus Concordia on Oct. 20, 2007.

Dussault’s favorite target was Casey Cook who caught 12 passes for 294 yards. He also earns a place in the RSEQ record books, again in the No. 2 spot for most receiving yards in a single game. The record of 305 yards was set by Concordia’s Gerald Prud’homme versus the Queen’s Golden Gaels on Sept. 20, 1980.

In overtime, running back Luis Guimont-Mota took over for McGill. He rushed the ball four consecutive times, scoring a one-yard TD. Rassy’s convert gave McGill a 53-46 advantage after the first series in overtime.

Concordia took possession of the ball and also drove 35 yards to score a touchdown on a 10-yard strike to slotback Kris Bastien. The Stingers never got the snap down for the kicker and failed on the convert attempt, making the final score 53-52.

Overall, McGill rolled up 38 first downs and 757 yards of offence. The Stingers had 23 first downs and 466 yards of offence.

For Concordia, second-year quarterback François Dessureault was also starting his first game. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Bastien with five catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns was his primary target. Receiver Jamal Henry also had a good day with three catches for 117 yards and a major.

McGill’s win-loss record improves to 3-2, while Concordia falls to 0-5.

Source: Tony von Richter Western Communications and Media Relations

LONDON, Ont. — In their most anticipated game of the regular season, the Western Mustangs football team did not disappoint.

Video: http://youtu.be/ErGOaHsD3j8

At the annual Homecoming game, the Mustangs toppled the CIS No. 3 Queen’s Gaels 50-31 in front of a sellout crowd of 12,185 at TD Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“Queen’s is a good football team and we prepped really hard,” said Mustangs quarterback Will Finch, who had another strong game throwing for 254 yards and two touchdowns. “Anytime you’re on a winning side at a Homecoming it’s a good feeling.”

Finch also had a strong game on the ground, running for 114 yards and recording one rushing touchdown.

With this pivotal win against the Gaels, the Mustangs remain undefeated with a 6-0 record and sit in first place in the OUA standings while Queen’s drops to 4-1 on the season.

After the game, Mustangs head coach Greg Marshall was pleased by his team’s winning effort.

“It’s hard because the emotion of the game and everything leading up to it, it’ll take a while to digest,” he said. “But it was a great, great win for our football program.”

Leading the Mustangs scorers was Adam Sinclair with both a rushing and receiving touchdown, while running back Yannick Harou — in for the injured Garret Sanvido — tallied one score for the ‘Stangs and racked up 153 yards on 28 attempts to lead all rushers.

Queen’s quarterback Billy McPhee threw for 332 yards and one touchdown and one interception while running back Ryan Granberg recorded 117 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, Mustangs defensive back Malcolm Brown and linebacker Pawel Kruba led the team with 7.5 and seven tackles respectively. Linebacker Preston Huggins had the defensive highlight of the day, picking off a pass and taking it back 54 yards for his first career CIS touchdown.

The Mustangs opened up the game with a strong 71-yard drive, finishing when Finch found a wide-open Sinclair with an 11-yard pass to put the Mustangs up 7-0 less then three minutes into the game.

The Gaels countered with their own 91-yard drive, but Preston Huggins forced Queen’s running back Jesse Andrews to fumble at the five-yard line, allowing Ricky Osei-Kusi to recover the ball for the purple and white.

The Mustangs would shut out the Gaels for the remainder of the opening frame, marking only the second time this season the Gaels have failed to score in a quarter.

Western’s offence continued to impress early in the second quarter. Just 2:44 into the second, Sinclair broke away with a 24-yard run for his second score of the game and putting the Mustangs ahead by 14. Western extended its lead less than five minutes later as linebacker Huggins intercepted a deflected ball and returned it 54 yards downfield for the score, putting Western up 21-0.

Mustangs’ kicker Lirim Hajrullahu would earn two single points before Queen’s running back Daniel Heslop carried the ball into the end zone on a one-yard run to get his team on the board, narrowing Western’s lead to 23-7 at the end of the first half.

The Gaels would carry their momentum into the third with kicker Dillon Wamsley nailing a 46-yard field goal to make the score 23-10. However, Western responded with a one-yard rushing touchdown on the ensuing drive to put the Mustangs up by 20. The Mustangs would get another two points a few plays later as Queen’s conceded a safety.

But Queen’s would strike again before the end of the quarter when William Zed blocked a Hajrullahu punt and returned it for a 45-yard touchdown.

After the game, coach Marshall said his team has to minimalize costly mistakes like that.

“I think when we look at the film tomorrow, we’ll see that. I know Queen’s is good, but we’ve got to do some things better—we can’t give up big plays like that,” he said.

The Mustangs would, however, catch a break at the end of the third. Heslop caught a pass from McPhee and had a clear path to the end zone taking it 87-yards downfield, but stepped out of bounds at the five-yard line. A few plays later the Gaels would fail to convert on third and goal and the score would remain 32-17 heading into the final frame.

In what was expected to be a defensive battle, the offence would continue to shine in the fourth. Hajrullahu opened up the scoring for the Mustangs with a 37-yard field goal, but Queen’s would answer back with a one-yard rushing touchdown from running back Ryan Granberg to narrow the Mustangs lead to 11.

Harou countered with his own one-yard touchdown on the next drive to put the game out of the Gaels’ reach. Shortly after, the Mustangs would add a single and Finch would connect with fullback James Sifakis for a six-yard touchdown with just over a minute remaining to put the Western up 50-24.

McPhee would find Gaels receiver Giovanni Aprile in the final minute for a 12-yard touchdown, but it was too little, too late as the Mustangs held on for the 50-31 victory.

Next week the Mustangs will travel to Windsor to take on the 4-2 Windsor Lancers on Saturday, October 5, at 1:00 p.m. Fans can listen live on 94.9 CHRW Radio or on NewsTalk 1290 CJBK with Tom McConnell and legendary Mustangs coach Larry Haylor calling all the action.

Source: Dan Ackerman, Waterloo Communications Coordinator

WATERLOO, Ont. - Third year receiver Alex Charette (St. Catharines, Ont.) ran back a Waterloo missed field goal 125-yards and the No. 6 Guelph Gryphons put up 28 second quarter points to remain perfect on the season with a 41-19 win over the Warriors on Saturday afternoon.  Guelph’s fifth win of the season keeps them atop the OUA standings while Waterloo drops to 1-4 on the season.

Jazz Lindsey was 21-for-37 with 274 passing yards and four touchdowns but also threw four interceptions in the process.  As a team Guelph put up 454 offensive yards compared to Waterloo’s 260. Waterloo’s quarterback duties were split between Brian Chris (Waterloo, Ont.) and Jamie Cook (Collingwood, Ont.) with Chris throwing for 191 yards on his 15 completions (24 attempts) while Cook went 6-for-13 for 83 yards.

Despite the score line it was Waterloo who held the early momentum with a solid drive led by Cook.  The second year quarterback lobbed in pass for Paul Cecile but the rec and leisure student would cross himself up otherwise he had a clear path for the first major of the game.

Waterloo would be forced to punt and Guelph would take advantage as Lindsey would find brother Saxon Lindsey (Markham, Ont.) for the 35-yard strike to put the visitors up 7-0.  The games first major was setup by a 26-yard rush by John Augustine (Welland, Ont.) earlier in the drive.

On the ensuing possession Waterloo would march down the field led by running back Ryan Di Risio (Burlington, Ont.) and receiver Nick Anapolsky (Guelph, Ont.) but the home side could not find the end zone and would settle for a field goal.  Rookie kicker Alasdair Coyle split the uprights from 31-yards to cut into the Guelph lead.

Waterloo continued their offensive creativity into the second half, this time led by Chris at the helm.  A 12-yard run by Di Risio would bring the black and gold down to Guelph’s red zone but for the second straight possession the Warriors would settle for a field goal and find themselves down only one.

From there the undefeated Gryphons would turn up their offence several notches and flex their nationally ranked muscles.  Back to back touchdowns by Carl Trivieri (Ashburn, Ont.) would put the Gryphons up 21-6 late in the half.  Trivieri would find the end zone first on a 10-yard pass then a 45-yarder both on bullet passes by Lindsey.

The second quarter blunders would continue for the Warriors this time on the offensive side of the ball.  Waterloo would put together an impressive possession but would be forced to another field goal after yet another red zone stop by the Gryphons defence.  Coy would miss the 20-yard field goal and Charette would make the rookie pay running the ball back the distance of the field for the 125-yard major putting his Gryphons up comfortably, 28-6.

Before time would run out on the opening half Guelph would once again find the end zone, this time on a 1-yard pass between the Lindsey brothers to put the Gryphons up 35-6 at the break.

After Waterloo would conceive a safety five minutes into the second half, the Warriors would find their first touchdown of the game thanks to a an incredible solo effort by Anapolsky.  The fourth year receiver turned a short pass by Cook into a 19-yard catch and run for the touchdown.  With the successful convert Guelph’s lead would be cut down to 37-13.

The rest of the third quarter would turn into sloppy football from both sides with Jazz Lindsey throwing two picks in the process.  Greg Zaitz (Ancaster, Ont.) and Rhys Mahler (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) would pick off the third year quarterback but unfortunately the Warriors could not turn them into points.  Guelph would add a field goal at the third quarter buzzer to take a 40-13 lead.

The unconventional football would carry into the fourth quarter with both quarterbacks (Lindsey and Chris) exchanging interceptions before Guelph would finally turn a possession into points on a rouge.

Down 41-19 the Warriors would not quit orchestrating another drive-up the field led by Chris and the third year quarterback would cap off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it a final, 41-19.  Overall the game saw a total of 32 penalties and five interceptions.

Guelph (5-0) will return home to host York (2-3) under the lights next Friday while Waterloo will travel to Hamilton to face McMaster (2-3) as part of their homecoming on Saturday.

Source: Felix Tremblay, Bishop's Sports Information Writer

SHERBROOKE, Que.– On a day where quarterback Jordan Heather broke the record for the most passing yards by a Gaiters quarterback in his career and receiver Alexander Fox set a new mark for receiving yards, the No. 8-ranked Bishop’s Gaiters fell short against the defending Vanier Cup Champions, the No. 1 Laval Rouge et Or. The final score was 46-38.

The first quarter saw Laval quickly take a 10-0 lead thanks to a three-yard run by Antoine Leduc (Quebec City) and a 30-yard field goal by Boris Bede (Toulon, France). The Gaiters’ Stephen Adekolu (Brampton, Ont.) scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 25-yard pass from Heather (Oromocto, N.B.) and a spectacular two-point conversion rush by Fox (Montreal). Laval replied with eight more points in the frame. A 33-yard run by Maxime Boutin (Quebec City) and a single by Bede extended their lead to 18-8 after the first quarter.

The teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter. Fox scored his first major of the game on a 28-yard pass from Shane McDonald (Uxbridge, Ont.). Guillaume G.-Bourrassa (La Tuque, Que.) answered for the Rouge et Or as Laval grabbed a 25-15 halftime lead.

Mathieu Paquette (Sherbrooke, Que.) connected on a 37-yard field goal, and Adekolu scored his second major of the game; a 7-yard pass from Heather in the third frame. Bede tacked on a single and connected on a 24-yard field goal to give Laval a 29-24 lead entering the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, both teams gave a spectacular show to the 1,725 spectators that were at the game. Laval’s Yannick Morin-Plante (Drummondville, Que.) and Pascal Lochard (Montreal) scored touchdowns of 40 and 4 yards respectively. Bede’s third field goal of the day made it 43-24 Laval. Nevertheless, the Gaiters attempted an inspired late-game rally. A 15-yard touchdown catch by Fox and a one-yard plunge from McDonald got the Gaiters within striking distance. They trailed 46-38, with less than three minutes left in the game. A last second pass by Heather, his 62nd of the day, fell incomplete and Laval prevailed 46-38. It was Laval’s fifth win this season, while Bishop’s record is now 3-2.

Bishop’s next game will be in Montreal on Friday, October 4, when they square off against the McGill Redmen. Game time is 7 p.m. at Percival Molson Stadium, and will be broadcasted live on Estrie 107.7 FM. For all the latest about the Gaiters, go to www.gaiters.ca.

Game Notes: Heather went 38-for-62, with 538 yards and three touchdowns. With his performance, he becomes the most prolific passer in Gaiters history…The two teams combined for 1,152 yards overall on offense (522 for Laval and 630 for Bishop’s)… Fox’s total career receiving yards is now 2051. That total means he has the most receiving yards in the purple and silver’s history… Jerome Mercier (Quebec City) also recorded a 100-yard receiving game with 101 yards.

Source: Ed Michel, York Sports Info

TORONTO - University of Ottawa quarterback Derek Wendel's four touchdown throws proved to be too much for the York University Lions football team on Saturday (Sept. 28), as the Gee-Gees spoiled York's Homecoming with a 46-16 victory at York Stadium.
 
 Wendel (Belleville, Ont.) finished the game 18-of-27 for 297 yards, including the four majors. He also picked up 14 yards on the ground on one carry. He and second-year wideout Andrew Mullings (Ottawa) combined for 138 yards through the air and two scores, propelling the Gee-Gees to victory.
 
 York running back Errol Brooks (Toronto) had a field day on the ground for the Lions, refusing to be tackled on his way to 199 yards and one touchdown.
 
 The Lions offence wasted no time, and on its second possession, and after a strong 23-yard return by Damone Williams (Mississauga, Ont.), they found the end zone. Brooks took the ball on three straight plays, including a stunning 25-yard sprint where he made every Ottawa defender miss. His run electrified the crowd, which erupted when he capped off the effort on a two-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 7-0 lead.
 
 Connor Pritty (Markham, Ont.) would keep the defence rolling, nabbing an interception with two minutes left in the quarter. But as the second quarter began, it was the Gee-Gees special teams that took over, as returner Vincent Campbell (Gatineau, Que.) returned a York punt 45 yards for a touchdown, making it 7-7.
 
 Five minutes later, Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward (Kingston, Ont.) took advantage of some York penalties and converted a 38-yard field goal to take the lead, 10-7.
 
 York quarterback Myles Gibbon (Montreal) then began marching the team down the field. A beautiful strike to Jason Charland (Quebec City) became bittersweet when a big hit by Ottawa popped the ball loose and into the hands of Ty Rusznak (Coquitlam, B.C.) for the interception that led to another Ward field goal.
 
 The Lions responded with a field goal of their own, courtesy of Nick Naylor (Abbotsford, B.C.) from 25 yards out, to cut the lead to 13-10 late in the first half. Brooks finished the opening 30 minutes with 110 yards on the ground.
 
 The Gee-Gees put together one final drive before half-time when Wendel led them down the field and into the end zone, connecting again with Mullings. Ottawa would carry a 20-10 lead into the half.
 
 Early in the second it looked as though the Lions would get back into it as Brooks stretched the defence and rounded the corner for a huge gain. But as he tiptoed the sideline into the end zone he was called out of bounds at the 10-yard line and the Lions were forced to settle for another Naylor field goal.
 
 The Gee-Gees turned to their running game more at the start of the second half and Brendan Gillanders (Orleans, Ont.) doubled his first half rushing yardage on a big plunge up the middle for 33 yards. Wendel would once again find Mullings for the score, extending their lead to 27-13.
 
 The Lions refused to concede, however, and Gibbon reenergized his team by calling his own number and using his feet to move the ball down the field. The strong York attack was stalled once again, however, and Naylor kicked his third field goal to cut the lead to 27-16.
 
 That was as close as the Lions would get on the day, as the Gee-Gees Wendel threw another two touchdowns, to Nicolas Dagher (Beirut) late in the third and Campbell in the fourth, Ward kicked his third field goal of the game and the Gee-Gees picked up another two points on a York-conceded safety to put the Lions away.
 
 Hussein Hazime (Toronto) and James Tuck (Aurora, Ont.) were standouts on defence for the Lions. Hazime finished with a game-high 8.5 tackles and Tuck accumulated 5.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
 
 The loss drops the Lions to 2-3 on the season, putting them into a three-way tie for sixth place in the OUA standings with four points. The win improves Ottawa's record to 3-3, moving the Gee-Gees into sole possession of fifth place.
 
 The Lions will look to bounce back from the loss on the road next weekend, when they travel to Guelph to face the Gryphons on Friday night (Oct. 4) at 7pm. The Lions return to York Stadium for their final home game, the 44th annual Red & Blue Bowl against cross-town rival University of Toronto Varsity Blues, in a special Thursday night game under the lights at 7pm on Thursday, Oct. 10.
 
Ottawa, meanwhile, returns home next weekend to host its rivalry game, the Panda Bowl against the Carleton Ravens on Saturday (Oct. 5) at 1pm.

Source: Jamie Howieson, Laurier Sports Info

WATERLOO, Ont.- The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks had a potential game-winning field goal blocked during the first overtime possession as the Windsor Lancers walked away with a 26-25 victory on Homecoming weekend.

After Windsor kicker Dan Cerino of Stoney Creek, Ont., had missed a 37-yard attempt on the Lancers possession to open overtime, Lauriers Ronnie Pfeffer of Kitchener, Ont., had a chance to win the game if he could connect from 42 yards. However, a strong push from the Lancers enabled them to get a hand on the ball sending the Hawks to their fifth loss of the season.

"I'm proud of our guys how we battled back," said Head Coach Michael Faulds following the loss. "All you can ask for is a chance at the end of the game and we definitely had that. Our defence did a great job in that first overtime of stopping them and we had a chance to kick a field goal at the end. Windsor, give them credit, they made a great play and blocked the kick."

In a thrilling back-and-forth game in front of 8,114 fans at University Stadium, the Lancers jumped out to a 8-3 lead after the opening quarter on the strength of a 23-yard touchdown reception by Mitch Dender of Amherstburg, Ont.

The second quarter belonged to the Hawks as Pfeffer made it 8-6 with his second field goal of the game before quarterback James Fracas of Waterloo, Ont., found Anthony Pizzuti of Hamilton, for a 14-yard major. A field goal from Cerino as time expired in the half sent the teams to the locker rooms with the Hawks lead 13-11.

A quiet third quarter featured a lone Laurier safety setting the stage for a wild fourth quarter.

Windsor got things rolling with touchdowns on consecutive possessions from Clark Grace of Windsor, Ont., and Dender to grab a 25-15 lead.

With things looking bleak for the Hawks, the team rallied behind the strong support of their fans and cut into the lead when Fracas connected with Dillon Campbell of Whitby, Ont., on a 53-yard touchdown reception.

Trailing by three, the Hawks had a chance to tie the game with 1:22 left in the game but Pfeffer missed a 42-yard field goal.

Laurier's defence stepped up, forcing a 2-and-out, giving Fracas and the offence one last chance. The Hawks rookie pivot drove Laurier to Windsors 20-yard line where Pfeffer made up for his earlier miss to tie the game with no time left on the clock.

With momentum on their side, the Hawks appeared to have the perfect chance to win with the Cerino miss but it would be for not as they fall to 1-5 on the season. Windsor improves to 4-2 with the victory.

"It's a tough loss, no doubt," commented Fracas. "We really stuck together as a team and I feel like we put a very good effort forward. It's very tough losing but there's a lot to build upon. We get into film tomorrow and we'll be up and ready for Queen's next week."

Leading the way for the Lancers was running back Dender as the fifth year veteran rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and added two receptions for 31 yards and a score through the air.

Lancers quarterback Austin Kennedy of Windsor, Ont., clearly hobbled by a knee injury, finished the game 16-of-24 for 189 yards and two touchdowns but only ran the ball eight times for seven yards.

As for Laurier, Campbell and Fracas led the offensive attack. Campbell finished the day with 193 all-purposes yards, including picking up his fourth consecutive 100 yard rushing game with 127 yards on 26 carries. Meanwhile, Fracas had his best statistical game as a Hawk, completing 23-of-33 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns. Isaac Dell of Niagara Falls, Ont., was his favourite receiver making seven catches for 112 yards.

Up next for the Hawks, they will travel to Kingston, Ont., for their final road game of the season where they will face the No. 3 Queen's Gaels (4-1) on Saturday, October 5. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Richardson Stadium.

NOTES: Rookie linebacker Brandon Calver of London, Ont., led Lauriers defensive effort with 9.5 tackles and a pass breakup...kick returner William Pitt-Doe of Mississauga, Ont., finished the game with 45 yards and is now just four shy of Dillon Heaps all-time single season Laurier record of 493 yards.

Source: Chris Zuk, Manitoba Sports Info

WINNIPEG - On a wet, rainy day during the annual Homecoming Game for Manitoba, the #10 Bison football team secured a 34-15 win at home against the Regina Rams in front of a soaked 4,890 fans at Investors Group Field.

With the victory, Manitoba improves to 3-2 while Regina slips to 1-4 during the 2013 campaign.

“That was a huge win for us on two counts, “ said Bison Football head coach Brian Dobie. “It came at Homecoming Game that is a major source of pride and represents the university and the many decades of student-athletes at Manitoba. In significance of win, it was critical to get to six points in the tight Canada West conference. At this point in time, the result now separates us from a couple of opponents and we need to continue to build to next week and get ready for UBC.”

The game started off with a special teams play when Andrew Barry blocked kicker Zach Schmidt and DJ Lalama scooped up the ball off the ricochet in the end zone for the first score of the contest (the convert was botched). Manitoba second score was aided by two pass interference calls and Barry converted a third-and-one from the one yard line for a 13-0 lead after the first quarter.

After a missed FG by Regina, the Bisons scored again when QB Jordan Yantz found OL Matt Hallock for his second TD of the season with a short three yard pass to complete a eight play, 75 yard drive and make it 20-1.

If there was any hope for a comeback it became tougher after the Rams and conference pass leader in yardage Cayman Shutter was knocked out of the game by DB Jordan Linnen. Halfway in the second, he went for a QB slide after a run and was clipped around the head. Linnen earned a player disqualification for the play while backup and Winnipeg product John Kiesman was summoned for his first time in 2013 to take the reins for the rest of the game.

Just when the visitors found their footing on the slippery turf at the new stadium by scoring a late touchdown when Michael Stefanovic recovered a fumble and ran in for a touchdown for 20-8 Bison lead, it was then quickly extinguished. With only 55 seconds left on the clock to the half, Manitoba quickly struck back on one play. Yantz found SB Andrew Smith for an 89 pass and catch for a TD for the fourth longest reception in team history. The Bisons would never look back as they headed to the locker room with a 27-8 lead.

There was no scoring in the third and both teams the found the end zone once in the final quarter when Kiesman found Mark McConkey from three yards out and Bone caught a 26 yard pass to end the scoring.

This was the only regular season meeting between the two teams this season.

In team stats, Manitoba had 27 and Regina finished with 25 first downs while the Rams had 344 total offence yards to the Bisons’ 306 in tough field conditions.

The big stat was the combined penalties for both teams. The orange flag was thrown a whopping 44 times for 435 yards and Manitoba set a team record in a single game with 235 penalty yards on 22 infractions.

Individually for Regina, Kiesman went 13-28 for 121 passing yards and 1 TD and 3 INTs plus was top team rusher with 76 yards on seven carries in front of his hometown. Shutter was 9-15 for 88 yards before leaving the game. Jared Janotta and Mark McConkey had five receptions each. On defence, DL Ryan Wellman and LB Connor Ketchen had 6.5 total tackles while DB Justin Edralin added 4.5 tackles, one break-up and one interception.

For the home side, Yantz went 9-17 for 134 passing yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT along with tying RB Anthony Coombs for top rusher with 97 yards. Smith had three catches for 107 yards and 1 TD as top receiver. DB Tremaine Apperley and LB Thomas Miles were tops with 7.5 total tackles and LB Bami Adewale contributed 6.5 tackles while Connor Lesperance had two interceptions for 45 return yards.

In week six, Regina will host the Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday, October 5 at 1 p.m. MT while the Bisons finish off their regular season home schedule when they host UBC Thunderbirds on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. CT.

Bison Game Notes:
- Manitoba has now scored at least three touchdowns in a game in all five contests so far in 2013.
- Coombs passed the 1,000 mark for all-purpose yards as he tacked on another 167 yards in the Regina game and now has 1,119 to lead the conference in this category.
- This was the first Homecoming Game at the new stadium and in a quirk of the schedule, the first Homecoming Game meeting against Regina since the event returned in 1999. Manitoba has now gone 7-5 during the last 12 Homecoming Games.
- After the Homecoming Game, the official dedication of the Pat Gill Equipment Room at the David Asper University of Manitoba Football Centre occurred at the Investors Group Field. Pat Gill was instrumental to the Bison Football program in the integral role as team manager from 1967 until his passing at the completion of the 2011 season. He was with the Bisons for an amazing 45 seasons and was part of the three Vanier Cup Championships teams at Manitoba (1969, 1970, 2007).

Source: Lee Dorner, UBC Sports Information Assistant

VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds had their first home win of the season in their sights in the fourth quarter, but failed to come away with points on two separate first-and-goal situations inside the five, losing 17-12 to No. 7 Saskatchewan on Saturday at David Sidoo Field.

UBC was actually pitching a defensive shutout into the fourth quarter, with the Huskies' points through three quarters coming on a rouge, a safety and a blocked punt touchdown. Saskatchewan's offence finally got on the board early in the fourth when Shane Buchanan capped off a long drive with a one-yard touchdown run to make it 17-12 Huskies.
 
"Our defence has been tough all year," said UBC head coach Shawn Olson. "Obviously the weather conditions were a bit of an issue too, but our defence has been flying around and playing with heart all year. Offensively we just weren't able to capitalize."

The 'Birds were without star running back Brandon Deschamps in the second half after the nation's leading rusher was injured on his first carry of the third quarter. However, UBC did move the ball into scoring position midway through the fourth thanks to a 39-yard completion from Greg Bowcott to Micha Theil on a seam route, with the combination of freshman back Liam Mahara and third-year Jeff Effah taking over for Deschamps. Eventually they were set up with first and goal at the one looking to retake the lead, but Mahara fumbled the ball while trying to leap over the pile on the goal line.
 
"Brandon is obviously a massive part of our team. He had a bit of a knee injury going on so we wanted to be conservative with him," said Olson. "Jeff is a very good running back and so is Liam, so we felt confident with those two guys that we'd be able to do some stuff. Jeff played very well but we just didn't find the endzone."
 
The Huskies recovered the fumble and looked to be seizing control of the game after picking up a first down to move out of the shadow of their own goalposts, but the 'Birds got the ball right back when Saskatchewan quarterback Drew Burko's pass was deflected at the line, landing the arms of UBC safety Jordan Bosa.
 
That set UBC up with a short field, and Effah was picking up big chunks on the ground to move them into another first-and-goal situation at the five. The Huskies stopped Effah for a short gain on first down, then got pressure on Bowcott to force two straight incompletions and a turnover on downs.
 
Saskatchewan was able to move the ball and run some clock before giving the 'Birds one more possession around midfield, but they were unable to do anything with it, marking a third-straight potential upset on home field for UBC that went unfulfilled.
 
"It's a really good group of kids. I can't say enough about the quality of people we have here," Olson said. "Today we just let it slip away. We had opportunities and we have to stick one of those in the endzone. We have to be better. I have to be better, and that's what it comes down to."
 
The score was just 5-1 UBC at halftime after both teams struggled against tough defences and arguably even tougher elements, with heavy rain and wind hindering both passing attacks severely. Both teams also missed a field goal in the first half.
 
The Huskies scored the first major when they broke through in numbers to block a UBC punt. It was recovered and run back for the touchdown by Seamus Neary to make the score 8-5 Huskies.
 
After being pinned in their own end and conceding a safety to make it a 10-5 game, the 'Birds responded with a quick drive that Bowcott finished by finding Patrick Bull all alone in the corner of the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown strike to make it 12-10 UBC with six and a half minutes left in the third.
 
After a tough first half in driving rain, Burko went 10-for-15 in the second half with the weather conditions easing up, finishing 19-for-31 for 231 yards. His favourite target was Kit Hillis, who had seven receptions for 85 yards. Dexter Janke and Buchanan split 25 carries and 138 yards almost right down the middle.
 
Deschamps picked up 81 yards on 12 carries for UBC before his day ended early. Effah ran for 64 yards on eight carries in relief duty. Bowcott was 6-for-14 for 93 yards and a touchdown, and starter Carson Williams was 6-for-11 for 42 yards. Patrick Bull and David Scott each had five receptions.
 
The Huskies improve to 4-1 on the year and maintain a one-game lead for second place in Canada West, which comes with home field advantage for week one of the playoffs. They host 5-0 Calgary next Friday.
 
UBC falls to 2-3, with a big match up against 3-2 Manitoba next Saturday on the road. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Source: Eric Cederberg, Acadia Sport Information

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axemen posted their second win in a row, improving to 2-2 after a winless start against Saint Mary's and Laval in weeks one and two.
 
For the second consecutive game, the Axemen scored 40 points, this time handing the now1-3 Mount Allison Mounties a 40-9 loss.
 
And for the second game in a row, senior defensive halfback Brett Backman added a major to the scoreboard on an interception return. Backman scored a 74-yard touchdown last week against StFX and this weekend added a 55-yard return for six points to his season total.
 
Acadia struck first with no time remaining in the first quarter on a fake field goal. Place holder Scott Kelly launched a quick pass across the middle that turned into a 34-yard catch and run by Brayden Guy for the first of five Acadia touchdowns.
 
Backman's 55-yard interception return, just over a minute into the second quarter, gave the Axemen a quick 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
 
Mount Allison didn't give in to the early lead, adding three Renaud Lebrecque field goals from the 17, 13 and 14 yard lines. In all, the Mounties compiled 198 net yards offence in one half, compared to Acadia's 137 yards.  Brandon Leyh, named the Mounties' Subway Player of the Game, was 17-34 for 220 yards passing in the first half alone.
 
With an added 37-yard field goal by Acadia's Ryan Begin before the end of the first half, the Axemen went to the dressing room with a 17-9 lead.
 
When the Mounties failed to pick up a first down at their own 54-yard line, following a third down and thirteen scenario, the Axemen capitalized on the failed Mount Allison drive. A 35-yard rush by Zack Skibin set up the 19-yard strike from receiver Scott Kelly that found quarterback Evan Brown, pushing the lead to 24-9 early in the third frame.
 
An early fourth quarter Acadia safety (a Mountie 10-yard loss on a rush) advanced the Axemen to a 26-9 advantage. With just over five minutes remaining in the final frame, Subway Player of the Game Zack Skibin punched in for a four-yard touchdown to give the Axemen a well-padded 33-9 lead. Skibin finished the night with 13 carries for 105 yards - 83 yards of which came in the second half on nine carries.
 
In the closing two minutes of the game, senior receiver Taylor Renaud scored only his second touchdown of the season on a 29-yard pass from backup pivot Darcy Lavoie that capped a five-play, 53-yard drive that began on a Mountie turn-over on downs. Mount Allison was 0-6 on third down conversions while the Axemen gambled six times and were successful on four.
 
Acadia pulled together 429 net yards on offence and possessed the ball for just over 35 minutes, while the Mounties posted 357 net yards with only 72 yards on the ground. Starting pivot Evan Brown was 16 for 34 with 191 yards in the air for Acadia. Brandon Leyh was 26 for 51 for 278 yards and was sacked six times.
 
The Mounties leading rusher, Jordan Botel, was reduced to 25 net yards on seven carries. Acadia's Taylor Renaud was the game's leading receiver with 83 yards on seven receptions, while Mountie Rodreke Joseph was Mount Allison's top receiver with 69 yards on eight receptions before leaving the game in the third quarter with a suspected concussion following a hard hit by Acadia's defensive secondary.
 
Acadia will set their sights on next Saturday afternoon's rematch against the Saint Mary's Huskies. The Axemen lost the season opener 14-11 at Huskie Stadium four weeks ago. The Huskies are 2-2 after their recent win against StFX.
 
Currently the AUS football standings show a three-way tie for top spot including Saint Mary's, StFX and Acadia, with Mount Allison holding onto a 1-3 record. The Mounties find themselves on the road again next weekend at StFX.

EDMONTON - The Alberta Golden Bears simply had no answer for the No.5 ranked Calgary Dinos during a 76-21 white wash on Saturday night at Foote Field.
 
The Bears, rebuilding under first year head coach Chris Morris, got a taste of the level they are aspiring to  as the five-time defending Canada West champion Dinos took the Green and Gold to school by rolling up 848 yards of offence and 76 points, which is the most Alberta has given up in team history. Calgary earned 428 rushing yards on the night, and scored 10 touchdowns, including six along the ground. Alberta, meanwhile, picked up 430 yards of offence which is just shy of their season average of 483 yards per game. The 21 points scored represents the first time Alberta has scored more than 15 points against Calgary since the 2009 season, and is more points than they have scored in their last three games combined against the Dinos.
 
With the win Calgary improves to 5-0, while the Bears drop to 0-5 on the season. The Dinos have now won 11 straight games against the Golden Bears.
 
Quarterback Ryan Schwartz, who rushed for 101 yards on the night, scored a touchdown for the Bears, as did rookie receiver Tylor Henry. Curtis Dell, who came into the game in the third quarter to relieve Schwartz, also rushed for a major.
 
Running back Mercer Timmis rushed for a quartet of TDs for Calgary, and they also got two from back-up QB Jimmy Underdahl. Anthony Anderson, Chris Dobko, Brett Blaszko and Kyle Brick all found their way into the endzone as well.
 
The teams were tied at 7-7 midway through the opening quarter, thanks to TDs from Anderson and Henry, but Timmis galloped for a 63-yard touchdown at 12:27 to give Calgary a lead they would never relinquish. Dobko scored before the end of the opening quarter to make it 21-7 after 15 minutes.
 
Schwartz’s eight yard TD scamper early in the second made it a 24-14 game, but that would be as close as the Bears would get for the rest of the game. The Dinos closed out the first half with three touchdowns, including two from Timmis, as they headed into the break with a 47-14 advantage.
 
Calgary scored 39 straight points in the second half to balloon their lead to 76-14, before Dell closed out the scoring with a one yard plunge to make it a 76-21 final.
 
Schwartz finished with 101 rushing yards and a TD, as well as with 11 completions on 16 attempts for 135 yards and a TD strike. Dell, meanwhile, tossed 19 balls, completing nine of them for 162 yards. Veteran receiver Ryley Richardson made four catches for 101 yards, including a longest of 52-yards, while Henry had six receptions for 48 yards.
 
Alberta, the youngest team in Canada West with 36 rookies and 20 sophomores, returns to action on October 5 when they take on the Regina Rams in Regina.