CALGARY – For the fifth consecutive season, the University of Calgary Dinos can clinch first place and home field advantage in Canada West with a victory Friday night in a rematch against the Saskatchewan Huskies.
The Dinos, ranked No. 1 in the nation for a fifth straight week, look to improve to 6-0 when they visit Griffiths Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff against the Huskies (2-3), live on Shaw TV and CanadaWest.tv.
After their 40-point win Oct. 3, the Dinos improved to 5-0 and kept a two-game cushion over the rest of the conference as the stretch drive begins on the road to the 79th Hardy Cup on Global Nov. 14.
HEADLINES
• Second of a home-and-home series against Saskatchewan, beginning with a 59-19 Dinos win Oct. 3 at McMahon Stadium
• The Dinos outscored the Huskies 39-1 in the final 21 minutes of their Week 5 game before Thanksgiving, breaking open a tight game to win by 40
• Calgary has won its last seven games against Saskatchewan, including three consecutive victories at Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium
• After facing each of the other five teams in the conference through the first give weeks of the season, the Dinos will now face rematches against the Huskies, Rams, and Golden Bears to wrap up the year
• Each of the three games in the conference this weekend is a rematch of the last week of play as Manitoba heads to Regina while Alberta visits UBC
• While Calgary sits on top of the standings and Regina seems destined to miss the playoffs at 0-5, the other four teams each have a shot at the three playoff spots – though a Saskatchewan loss to Calgary would put them at 2-4 and create a must-win situation for the Huskies in the final two games
No. 1 CALGARY DINOS (5-0)
Before bye: defeated Saskatchewan 59-19
Next week: host Regina
• Calgary put up 616 more yards against the Huskies, bringing their season total over 3,500 – more than 150 per game better than the next closest opponent in the conference, Manitoba
• QB Andrew Buckley continues to pick apart opposing defences. In his last three outings, he has recorded three of the top eight single game passing totals in school history – including 468 against the Huskies Oct. 3, despite significant wind
• Buckley is on pace to better the numbers that won him the Hec Crighton Trophy last season, including a shot at a couple of school single-season passing records (see below)
• The Dinos may welcome back Mercer Timmis to the lineup, after the starting tailback missed the last two games before Thanksgiving with an injury
• K Johnny Mark is one field goal away from taking over sole possession of the all-time CIS career record in the category with 85
• Austen Hartley‘s impressive season at receiver continues, helped by a 105-yard touchdown on Oct. 3. Through five games, he’s the Dinos’ second-leading receiver with 87.2 yards per game, trailing only Rashaun Simonise (128/game).
• The Dinos close the season with a home game against Regina (Oct. 24) followed by a road tilt at Alberta (Oct. 31). Should the Dinos clinch a home playoff date, it would be played Saturday, Nov. 7 at McMahon Stadium.
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (2-3)
Before bye: lost 59-19 at Calgary
After bye: host UBC
• Huskies QB Drew Burko sits sixth in CIS with 306.4 passing yards per game. Mitch Hillis is his top target with a conference-leading 129.2 yards per game, just ahead of Calgary’s Simonise and good enough for second in the nation
• The Huskies will take positives from the fact they kept the game close with the Dinos until midway through the second quarter on Oct. 3 and put up impressive offensive numbers despite the loss. However, turnovers were a major concern as the Dinos took full advantage of their opportunities
• DL Donovan Dale is the conference leader in sacks with six, while Chris Friesen leads the nation with five takeaways (four interceptions and a fumble recovery)
• The Huskies welcome the Dinos for their annual Blackout Game
• Saskatchewan hosts UBC next week before visiting Regina to wrap up the regular season
DINOS RECORDS WATCH
• K Johnny Mark enters the game with 489 career points, the all-time scoring leader in CIS football history
• With 84 career field goals, Mark is the new Dinos and Canada West record holder in the category, beating Aaron Ifield’s 71 (2006-10). He is tied for the CIS record in the category with Tyler Crapigna (McMaster, 2010-14).
• RB Mercer Timmis has 41 all-purpose career TDs, passing Matt Walter’s (2007-11) previous school record of 35.
• Timmis also owns the school record for rushing TDs with 39 and enters the game with 2,844 rushing yards, 4th on the Dinos’ all-time list.
• QB Andrew Buckley has 1,944 passing yards on the season and needs just 879 more through the last three games to set a new school record in that category (2,823, Greg Vavra, 1983)
• With a 70.1 completion percentage, Buckley is just off the school record of 70.6 (Eric Dzwilewski, 2012) with three games to go. He is also 68 completions behind Vavra’s 1983 record of 178 with 110 heading into Saskatoon.
Source: Ben Matchett, Calgary Dinos Sports Information
Rams, Bisons set for Week 6 rematch at Mosaic
RANKINGS: Manitoba #8, Regina NR
• Manitoba dealt the Rams a 34-19 loss two weeks ago in Winnipeg, moving the Bisons up into a tie with UBC for second place in the Canada West standings
• The Rams are hoping for a similar script to last season, which saw them drop a road decision to Manitoba early in the year before coming up with a big Week 7 home victory over the Bisons
• Manitoba has a 16-11 advantage in the 27 Canada West games played between the two teams, though the Rams hold an 8-5 edge at Mosaic Stadium
• OL Aaron Picton and SB Mitchell Picton – brothers
• DB Luke Wilson and SB Riley Wilson – brothers
• OL Aaron Picton/SB Mitchell Picton, QB Noah Picton, RB Blake Anaka – cousins
• Defensive line coach Greg Nesbitt and LB Danny Nesbitt – father/son
• Greg Nesbitt and defensive coordinator Paul Dawson – brothers-in-law
Starting fullback … has one reception for two yards this season … team captain.
#2 Andrew Fabian (K • 5th • 6-0/195 • Tilley, Alta.)
Has the made the most career PATs in Rams CIS history without a miss (33) … has made 14 of his 20 FG attempts in his career … 70% FG rate is highest in school history.
#3 Michael Webber (RB • 2nd • 6-3/245 • Guelph, Ont.)
#4 Noah Picton (QB • 2nd • 5-10/180 • Regina, Sask.)
Had a season-high 456 passing yards at Manitoba … 64% career completion rate is highest in U of R history … needs 192 passing yards, 11 completions, and three TD passes to move into fifth place on all three U of R career lists … team captain.
#5 Kahlen Branning (DB • 4th • 6-1/190 • Moose Jaw, Sask.)
Has missed both of the team’s last two games due to injury … is projected to return to the lineup this week … 8½ tackles, one pass breakup this season.
#6 Mitchell Picton (SB • 3rd • 6-3/200 • Regina, Sask.)
Starting slotback leads the Rams and ranks fourth in Canada West with 27 receptions … also leads the team with 338 receiving yards.
#7 Ellis Richards (QB • 1st • 6-0/195 • Regina, Sask.)
Team’s No. 3 quarterback … brother of Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Addison Richards.
#8 Richard Sindani (WR • 3rd • 6-3/210 • Regina, Sask.)
Tied with Andrew Bennett for second on the Rams with 20 receptions … third on the team with 289 receiving yards.
#9 Jordy Kibamba (DB • 3rd • 6-2/180 • Calgary, Alta.)
Starting field corner for the Rams … has 11 tackles (9 solo, 4 assisted) and one pass breakup.
#10 Jeff Propp (DB • 3rd • 6-0/185 • Regina, Sask.)
Dressed for all five Canada West games this season and has two starts … 8½ tackles on the year.
#11 Andrew Bennett (WR • 4th • 6-4/225 • Miami Lakes, Fla.)
Leads the Rams with an average of 15.5 yards per catch … second on the team in receiving yards (310) and tied for second in receptions (20).
#12 Preston Paulson (DB • 3rd • 6-0/200 • Terrell, Texas)
Has played in all four Canada West games and got the start at safety in Week 3 … has seven solo tackles and two assisted tackles.
#14 Ryan Schienbein (SB • 1st • 5-9/170 • Regina, Sask.)
Rookie out of Balfour Collegiate leads the Rams in punt returns (19 for 86 yards) and kickoff returns (10 for 176 yards) … also has three catches for 31 yards, including an 18-yard catch in Week 5.
#15 Tyler Vieira (QB • 3rd • 5-11/200 • Winnipeg, Man.)
Played in three of five Canada West games … has completed 23 passes for 361 yards and two TDs … had a season-long 39-yard completion to Andrew Bennett in Week 4 against Calgary.
#16 Korey Greene (DB • 3rd • 6-0/175 • Toronto, Ont.)
Halfback has started all five Canada West games at the falcon position … leads the Rams with four pass breakups … fourth on the team in tackles.
#18 Frankie Gray (DB • 4th • 5-10/185 • Regina, Sask.)
Expected to return to the lineup after missing the Week 4 game due to injury … has played in four Canada West games and started one … has five solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and a pass breakup.
#20 Travoy Martinez (DB • 4th • 5-9/190 • Dallas, Texas)
Sat out the first half of the season due to transfer regulations, but played his first game with the Rams in Week 5 … got the start at cornerback and had three solo tackles … also returned three punts and three kickoffs.
#21 Royce Hanna (DB • 1st • 5-10/175 • Moose Jaw, Sask.)
Expected to dress for the second time this season … also played in Week 4 game against Calgary.
#22 Ben Lane (FB • 3rd • 6-0/200 • Calgary, Alta.)
Will dress for his third home game of the season.
#24 Polis Koko (DB • 1st • 5-9/155 • Regina, Sask.)
Rookie out of LeBoldus program in Regina has one start this season … had his first career fumble recovery last week at Manitoba … also has six solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and a pass breakup.
#26 Davin Johnston (SB • 3rd • 6-0/190 • Regina, Sask.)
Reigning Canada West Offensive Player of the Week after exploding for 13 catches and 203 receiving yards at Manitoba, including a career-long 62-yard reception … started at slotback last game with Mitch Thompson out, but is expected to get the start at wideout this Saturday.
#27 Joey Dwyer (DB • 4th • 6-2/200 • Regina, Sask.)
Canada West all-star in 2014 … has started all five games at dimeback and is sixth on the team with 12½ tackles … also has two pass breakups and a fumble recovery … team captain.
#30 Josh Koshman (RB • 1st • 6-0/205 • Okotoks, Alta.)
Redshirted with the Rams last season … expected to dress on Saturday for the first time this year.
#32 Mason Rossler (DB • 2nd • 6-0/185 • Regina, Sask.)
Has started all five Canada West games and is second on the Rams in tackles (25 solo, 6 assisted) … has a team-leading 1½ sacks and is second on the Rams with 2½ tackles for loss … had a forced fumble last game.
#33 Blake Anaka (RB • 1st • 5-3/150 • Regina, Sask.)
Expected to dress for the second time this season … had two carries for 12 yards in Week 4.
#34 Ryan Serbu (DB • 2nd • 5-11/175 • Regina, Sask.)
Got the start at safety last week … has 6½ tackles in three games played this season.
#36 Atlee Simon (RB • 2nd • 6-0/205 • Regina, Sask.)
Had 16 rushes for 79 yards and a TD last game … fourth in Canada West with 507 rushing yards, but trails conference leader Jamel Lyles (MAN) by only 37 … third on U of R’s all-time list in career rushing yards (1031), tied for third in rushing TDs (9), and first in average yards per rush (6.29).
#41 Zack McEachern (LB • 3rd • 6-0/225 • Calgary, Alta.)
Hasn’t started a game yet this season, but is third on the team in tackles (15 solo, 8 assisted) … also has 1½ TFLs, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble.
#44 Michael Stefanovic (LB • 3rd • 5-10/210 • Moose Jaw, Sask.)
Canada West all-star in 2013 … team leader and ranks sixth in Canada West in tackles (22 solo, 18 assisted) … also leads the team with three TFLs.
#45 Sam Varao (FB • 1st • 6-0/220 • Victoria, B.C.)
Has dressed for four Canada West games and has started both of the last two games for the Rams … has a pair of special teams tackles.
#46 Alex Rorke (LB • 1st • 6-1/210 • Vanscoy, Sask.)
Has eight solo tackles and two assisted tackles this year, all on kick coverage.
#47 Danny Nesbitt (LB • 2nd • 6-2/230 • Regina, Sask.)
Has started all five games at mac linebacker, but shares playing time with Zack McEachern there … five solo tackles, six assisted tackles this year.
#48 Mitch Morrison (LB • 3rd • 6-0/215 • Wilcox, Sask.)
Has six solo tackles and three assisted tackles this year, all of which have come on special teams.
#49 Tyler Perkins (DL • 5th • 6-3/250 • Campbell River, B.C.)
Was injured in Week 1, but returned to the lineup at Manitoba and got the start at defensive end … had two solo tackles last game in his return … tied for the school’s all-time lead in blocked kicks (3).
In his third year as the team’s starting right tackle … has never missed a game in his CIS career … including postseason, has 22 career games played and 21 games started.
#53 Lyndon Smith (OL • 2nd • 6-4/300 • Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask.)
Missed all of 2014 and the first three weeks of this season due to injury, but has been on the depth as a backup guard each of the past two weeks.
#55 Kyle Paterson (OL • 5th • 6-3/275 • Weyburn, Sask.)
Canada West all-star in 2014 … 2014 CFL Draft selection of Saskatchewan (5th round) … including postseason, has 34 career games played and 19 games started … didn’t start last week due to injury, but should return to right guard.
#58 Nathan Cugnet (OL • 4th • 6-0/285 • Weyburn, Sask.)
Has started all five Canada West games this season at centre … including postseason, has 20 career games played and nine games started.
#64 Keenan Carrier (OL • 5th • 6-1/300 • Tisdale, Sask.)
Has dressed for all five Canada West games and started three of the last four games at right guard.
#65 Aaron Picton (OL • 5th • 6-4/295 • Regina, Sask.)
Team captain and the Rams’ most experienced lineman … started the season at right guard, but moved to left tackle after Week 1 … including postseason, has 39 career games played and 27 games started … 2015 draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders, but had his rights dealt to the Saskatchewan Roughriders two weeks ago.
#67 Roe Borgmann (OL • 1st • 6-1/270 • Lumsden, Sask.)
Redshirted the 2014 season … has now started at left guard each of the past two weeks.
#69 Bryce McKinnon (DL • 3rd • 6-0/285 • Water Valley, Alta.)
Second season as starting nose tackle … fifth on the Rams in tackles (8 solo, 10 assisted).
#80 Daniel Scraper (K/WR • 1st • 5-11/150 • Regina, Sask.)
Returns to the lineup this week as a backup at both kicker and wideout … has four kickoffs for an average of 55.5 yards this year.
#82 Mitch Thompson (WR • 3rd • 5-10/190 • Regina, Sask.)
Only player on the Rams with multiple touchdown receptions (2) … fourth on the team in both receptions (18) and receiving yards (237).
#83 Riley Wilson (SB • 4th • 6-3/205 • Regina, Sask.)
Normally utilized as a third slotback in the team’s five-receiver package … has 17 catches for a total of 223 yards this season … had a career-high 141 receiving yards against Saskatchewan in Week 3.
#86 Kyle Moortgat (SB • 1st • 6-1/185 • Cochrane, Alta.)
Has played in three of the team’s five Canada West games … redshirted the 2014 season.
#92 Grey McKen (DL • 2nd • 6-3/240 • Yorkton, Sask.)
Started at defensive end for three games while Tyler Perkins was injured … had the team’s first sack of the year in Week 3.
#95 Wendell Thornton (DL • 2nd • 6-4/285 • Port Arthur, Texas)
In his first year with the Rams program … backs up at both interior tackle positions.
#96 Eric Wicijowski (DL • 2nd • 6-2/265 • Regina, Sask.)
Has started all five Canada West games at defensive tackle … second on the team’s linemen in tackles (11 solo, 2 assisted) … also has two tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup.
#98 Ajai Washington (DL • 1st • 6-3/230 • Dallas, Texas)
One of four Texans on the Rams’ 2015 roster … named an all-district lineman for Woodrow Wilson HS last year … No. 2 on the depth at rush end.
#99 David Julé (DL • 1st • 6-4/235 • Moose Jaw, Sask.)
Has started all five Canada West games at rush end … has six solo tackles and five assisted tackles this season.
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