On Friday, the University of Manitoba Bisons football team was dominated by the fifth-ranked University of Calgary Dinos by a score of 63-6. The Bisons were outmatched in every aspect of the game. The Dinos, ranked as Canada West’s number one defence, held the Bisons to just 200 total offensive yards. As well, the Dinos’ offence put up 619 yards total. With the loss, the Bisons are now on the outside looking in at the Canada West playoff picture.
At the end of the first quarter, the Bisons trailed 14-3 after two costly interceptions from quarterback Theo Deezar. The Dinos offence made no mistakes as they capitalized on both turnovers, scoring one touchdown through the air and one on the ground.
After the Bisons were unable to do anything with their first possession of the second quarter, the Dinos took advantage of theirs and put up seven more points. This time, it was Dinos’ running back Jeshrun Antwi catching his second touchdown pass of the game to make it a 21-3 lead.
A few plays later, the Bisons had to punt from deep in their territory due to Deezar fumbling the ball, resulting in a 23-yard loss. Matt Riley’s punt was blocked by Robert Woodson of the Dinos, and the ball was recovered by Hunter Karl who took it to the end zone, pushing the lead to 28-3. The Bisons would add a late field goal by Brad Mikoluff to end the first half, and trailed 28-6.
In the second half, the Dinos put up 35 unanswered points – they could not be stopped. In the third quarter, Dinos’ quarterback Jimmy Underdahl went down with an injury. He did not return to the game, which led to backup quarterback Adam Sinagra taking control of the offence and extending the already large lead.
On the defensive side of the ball, Dinos defensive back Hunter Turnbull had an interception and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown. It did not seem to matter who was on the field for the Dinos as they ran away in the second half to a 63-6 victory.
Prehistorics air attack
The Dinos were able to put up 365 passing yards. Starting quarterback Underdahl was able to throw for 207 yards and two touchdowns before exiting the game. Sinagra threw for 146 yards and another two touchdowns for the Dinos during his time on the field.
Both players looked unflappable and made big play after big play, as Underdahl averaged 18.9 yards per attempt and Sinagra averaged 24.3 yards per attempt.
Four receivers had over 30 yards on the day for Calgary, but it was receiver Austen Hartley who stole the show. Hartley caught eight passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. Hartley leads the Dinos in receiving for the season, and looked as if he could not be covered in Friday night’s game.
Ground game
The running game was just as effective as the passing game for the Dinos. Lead running back Bryce Harper had 13 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns. He was finding holes all night, averaging 10.4 yards per carry. Running back Robert Stewart also had a good game, and had 10 carries for 69 yards.
Underdahl also scrambled when necessary, running six times for 42 yards. It was the running that he did that would lead to his unfortunate injury.
The now 2-4 Bisons will be back in action on Saturday, Oct.22 as they travel to Edmonton to take on the Golden Bears in what will be a must win game for the herd.
