BOX SCORE WINNIPEG - The fourth-ranked University of Calgary Dinos pulled off a stunning comeback when it looked like they were ready to drop their fourth straight Canada West season-opener, rallying for a 35-31 win over the unranked Manitoba Bisons Saturday afternoon in Winnipeg.

BOX SCORE

Sophomore quarterback Eric Dzwilewski found Chris Dobko in the end zone from seven yards out with just 22 seconds left to give the Dinos the win after they trailed by 14 points heading into the fourth quarter.

In a game that mimicked the weather Saturday in Winnipeg - from hot and sunny to overcast to downright unpleasant - both teams made spectacular plays on special teams with a kickoff return TD on either side, both moved the ball well at times, and both committed costly turnovers. But it was three Bison fumbles in the fourth quarter - all recovered by the Dinos deep in Manitoba territory - that allowed Calgary to win its first season opener since 2007.

Doctor Cassama, Cory Roboch, and Thomas Spoletini each recovered fumbles in Manitoba territory in the fourth quarter. The first one was turned over on downs when the Dinos went for it on third-and-three, but the next two resulted in touchdowns - including the game-winner.

"For a while there, it didn't seem like we wanted to win this," said sixth-year Dinos head coach Blake Nill. "But we started to make some plays when it mattered most. The offence scored when we needed to score.

"We're going to be in some tight games this year, but we just can't get in track meets like this one. We can't give up points on special teams like that. We had that big play early, but we still need some more work there. But at the end, we did what it took to win the game and all the credit to our guys."

After Manitoba scored on its opening posession, Jake Harty returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards to even things up. The teams traded field goals before Dzwilewski finally put the Dinos up for the first time with a two-yard TD run late in the first half to make it 17-13 Calgary. A late Manitoba field goal made the halftime score 17-16 for the visitors.

The Bisons grabbed back momentum on the opening kickoff of the third quarter when freshman Nic Demski racked up a 91-yard touchdown return. Following a punt single and another big play, this time a 90-yard pass-and-run from Khaleal Williams to Anthony Coombs, the brown and gold took a commanding 14-point lead into the fourth quarter.

With the wind at their backs, the Dinos finally began to move the ball. in the final frame. After a pair of turnovers on downs, Steven Lumbala's 13-yard touchdown run brought Calgary within seven with just over six minutes to go. A Johnny Mark field goal made it 31-28, setting the scene for the Dzwilewski-Dobko heroics to close the game.

Notable in the fourth quarter comeback was third-year receiver Taylor Nill, who made three clutch sideline catches to extend drives and give the Dinos an opportunity to pull off the comeback.

Dzwilewski finished 16-for-34 for 179 yards with one TD and one interception, adding another 69 rushing yards. Lumbala carried the ball 20 times for 110 yards and one TD.

Manitoba's Williams completed 15 of 30 passes for 302 yards and the 90-yard touchdown, while Anthony Coombs was the leading rusher with 66 yards on 15 carries.

Manitoba (0-1) faces Alberta (0-1) next week at Foote Field in Edmonton. The Dinos, meanwhile, host the upstart UBC Thunderbirds Friday night at McMahon Stadium for KICKOFF VI, the University of Calgary's annual homecoming game. Game time is 7 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
03:29 MAN - Anthony Coombs 6 yd run (Nick Boyd kick), 7-0 MAN
03:42 CGY - Jake Harty 88 yd kickoff return (Johnny Mark kick), 7-7
10:35 MAN - Nick Boyd 24 yd field goal, 10-7 MAN

2nd Quarter
01:06 CGY - Johnny Mark 13 yd field goal, 10-10
10:04 MAN - Nick Boyd 25 yd field goal, 13-10 MAN
12:18 CGY - Eric Dzwilewski 2 yd run (Johnny Mark kick), 17-13 CGY
13:19 MAN - Nick Boyd 36 yd field goal, 17-16 CGY

3rd Quarter
00:13 MAN - Nic Demski 91 yd kickoff return (Nick Boyd kick), 23-17 MAN
05:07 MAN - Brendon Bowman 65 rouge (punt), 24-17 MAN
14:07 MAN - Anthony Coombs 90 yd pass from K. Williams (Nick Boyd kick) 31-17 MAN

4th Quarter
08:34 CGY - Steven Lumbala 13 yd run (Johnny Mark kick), 31-24 MAN
08:34 CGY - Johnny Mark 85 rouge (kickoff), 31-25 MAN
12:55 CGY - Johnny Mark 17 yd field goal, 31-28 MAN
14:38 CGY - Chris Dobko 7 yd pass from Eric Dzwilewski (Johnny Mark kick), 35-31 CGY

-UC-