WINNIPEG - The fourth-ranked Calgary Dinos held on to defeat the Manitoba Bisons 25-18 in Canada West football action Saturday, clinching a playoff spot for the second consecutive season.

In a game that had three lead changes, the Dinos took advantage of a gusty wind (25-35 km/h) in the fourth quarter and proceeded to score 11 unanswered points to reverse a 18-14 end of third quarter deficit into a final win. The visitors earned their first win at University Stadium since 1998 when they continued the first drive of the final quarter.

With the Dinos facing third and five on the Bisons¹ 48, head coach Blake Nill pulled a surprise direct snap to slotback Taylor Altilio who rushed for 11 yards to sustain the drive. With the momentum continuing, Calgary alternated run and pass that culminated in Deke Junior finding #K.C. Prince# in the end zone for a four yard TD and a 21-18 lead - a lead the Dinos would not relinquish for the rest of the game.
 
Both teams were stymied by strong defensive efforts as neither team could find a lot of rhythm, as the quarter scores were 4-0, 12-7 and 18-14. Wind was a prevailing factor as Calgary jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead with the wind in the first and Manitoba then had the wind in the second and third and outscored the Dinos by a 18-10 margin,
 
Conference second leading rusher Matt Walter had a game-high 147 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown for the Dinos. Junior was solid as he went 16-for-29 for 153 yards and one TD plus scampered for 18 rushing yards. WR Nathan Coehoorn  was top Dino with six receptions for 56 yards and Aaron Ifield went 3-for-5 in FGs (longest was 43 yards which made the game a seven point advantage for Calgary with 45 seconds left in the game) and 41.5 punt average despite the conditions.

Chase Moore had a game-high 11 tackles and one break-up while Andrea Bonaventura had six tackles and one break-up.
 
For the Bisons, it was fifth year day with eight seniors leaving the Herd after the season. QB John Make (Regina, SK) in his fifth season went  20-for-37 with one TD and two picks. RB Matt Henry (Mississauga, ON) had his second consecutive 100 yard game with 131 yards on 26 carries. WR Mike Mizerski (Toronto, ON) had a game-high seven catches for 71 yards and a 16 yard TD. K Scott Dixon (Victoria, BC) was a perfect 3-for-3 on FGs and nailed a 52 yarder for the second longest in team history. SB Terry Firr (Windsor, ON) had two grabs, which pushed him to 151 career receptions and placed him as the new all-time Bison receiver in career receptions. LB Kenton Onofrychuk (Winnipeg, MB) was top Bison with seven tackles and moved into second for Bisons all-time in tackles (171.5).
 
An unhappy Bisons head coach Brian Dobie said, "Calgary played well today and now we have a playoff situation going into Regina next week. We will need a total team effort if we are to succeed; the same effort that was given during our Vanier Cup run last season."
 
The Dinos (5-2) close their season with a trip to Alberta (1-6) next Saturday, where Calgary will look to clinch its first home playoff date since 2002. A win over the Golden Bears will ensure the Dinos at least second place in the conference. Manitoba travels to Regina next week to take on the Rams in a winner-take-all match-up, with the victor drawing the fourth and final seed in the 2008 Canada West playoffs.

-30-