CALGARY – KICKOFF, the University of Calgary's annual back-to-school welcome festival, has been a tremendous success in the bleachers and the parking lot, but has yet to translate into wins on the field for the University of Calgary Dinos.
The Dinos (1-1) are still searching for their first win at the annual event, which began two years ago when the Golden Bears scored the victory on a last-second field goal. Last year, the Saskatchewan Huskies spoiled the party with a 27-13 victory.
In 2008, however, the Dinos enter the game with momentum behind them after last week's convincing 37-17 defeat of the defending Vanier Cup champion Manitoba Bisons at McMahon. It was Calgary's first win over the Bisons since September 2004, and the win propelled the Dinos back into the CIS Top Ten this week, also for the first time since 2004. They enter this weekend's action at No. 9 on the national list.
Last weekend's victory was a solid effort from top to bottom and a needed rebound from the opening-week shutout at Saskatchewan. Quarterback Deke Junior was the catalyst on offence in his first CIS start, completing 20 of 28 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns, earning Canada West offensive player of the week honours in the process.
Both of Junior's touchdown passes went to sophomore receiver Anthony Parker, who made the most of his first start of the season, hauling in six catches for 111 yards. His touchdowns came from 58 and 16 yards.
Linebacker Andrea Bonaventura had a solid game on defence, recording seven tackles and a game-changing interception early in the third quarter, while kicker Aaron Ifield posted an impressive 42-yard average on punts and nailed all three of his field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder – the longest of the young Canada West season.
A solid passing game, a part of the offence that has been lacking of late in the Dinos' game, could not have come at a more important time. Anthony Woodson, the Dinos' star running back who was a second team All-Canadian last season, suffered a rib injury late in the Manitoba game and will be sidelined indefinitely. While his loss is certainly a blow to Calgary's depth, the reigning Canada West rookie of the year, Matt Walter, will see an increased role in the backfield.
Alberta also enters the game with a 1-1 record, although the Bears were on the losing side of last week's 27-9 game against UBC in Vancouver. After opening the season with a 25-13 home victory over Simon Fraser, penalties and turnovers plagued Alberta last weekend as they managed just seven offensive points.
Starting quarterback Quade Armstrong struggled in the opening half and was replaced by backup Joe Orlicz, a freshman who transferred from UBC, after being shaken up during a sack. Bears quarterbacks were sacked a total of six times by the Thunderbird defence last Saturday.
Alberta also lost the services of defensive back Chris Muchena in the first quarter of the UBC game. He did not return to action.
The Golden Bears have had Calgary's number in the past several seasons, winning the past five conference games and the 2004 Canada West semifinal played between the two teams. In their lone meeting last season, Alberta walked out of McMahon Stadium with a 17-9 victory following a sloppily-played game by both sides.
The Dinos' last win over their archrivals came October 2, 2004, when Calgary handed the Bears their only loss of the season by squeaking out a 25-23 victory in Edmonton.
After just a single edition in 2007, the Battle of Alberta returns for a double feature in 2008, as the Dinos and Bears will face off in the final game of the regular season Oct. 25 at Edmonton's Foote Field.
The Dinos hit the road next week to face Simon Fraser before returning home Sept. 27, when they face the UBC Thunderbirds at McMahon Stadium.
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