BOX SCORE WINNIPEG – The seventh-ranked Manitoba Bisons hung tight for three quarters with the No. 2 University of Calgary Dinos Saturday afternoon, but a 17-point fourth put it out of reach as Calgary took a 33-12 win at University Stadium in Winnipeg.

The win improves Calgary to 3-0 on the season and gives the Dinos sole possession of first place in Canada West, while Manitoba falls to 2-1.

Fourth-year Calgary receiver Chris Dobko set a school record with 13 catches on the day, breaking his own previous total of 12. Those 13 catches accounted for 182 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner from 33 yards early in the third quarter. Third-year quarterback Eric Dzwilewski, meanwhile, posted his best passing game in CIS, completing 23 of 32 passes for 329 yards and three majors.

Despite not having first team All-Canadian tailback Steven Lumbala in the lineup, the Dinos still managed to put up over 500 yards of total offence.

“Not having Steven in was a concern, but it was really a group effort,” said Dinos head coach Blake Nill. “We had a pair of new guys come in and carry the load, and again Eric had one of his best games. He just continues to get better and better each and every week. And Dobko works so well with him, I'm not surprised that Chris had the kind of game he did.

“I told the kids before the game that we needed to come out and probably play the best game we've played in two years,” Nill explained. “From past experience, you knew it was going to be a tough game here, and we really showed up today. It wasn't always smooth sailing, but we overcame adversity and I'm extremely satisfied with our effort. We played a great game today.”

Nill singled out the performance of his special teams unit, which held the vaunted Manitoba return game in check. Nic Demski did break out one 43-yard kickoff return, but the longest Manitoba punt return on the day was just six yards.

“I also think our special teams did a great job,” said Nill. “We shut down their return game, which is what killed us last year against them, and Coach (Taylor) Altilio deserves a lot of credit.”

The Dinos raced out to a 9-0 lead after the opening quarter, thanks to a safety, a punt single, and field goals of 33 and 25 yards by Johnny Mark. The Bisons would respond with a punt single of their own early in the second quarter. Then, on the biggest play of the afternoon, Manitoba quarterback Cam Clark found Xavier Johnson for an 80-yard pass-and-run touchdown to bring the Bisons within one as Calgary took a 9-8 lead into the half.

Dobko's first touchdown, a 33-yard strike from Dzwilewski just 3:32 into the third quarter, gave the Dinos some additional breathing room up 16-8, but the Bisons managed another single and a field goal to make it a four-point game at 16-12 heading into the fourth.

The Calgary defence, which played aggressively all afternoon, picked up five sacks and three interceptions in the game – none more important than defensive lineman Michael Klassen's tip-drill interception early in the fourth quarter.

After an early two-and-out for the Dinos in the final frame, a Clark pass was almost picked off by Calgary defensive back Doctor Cassama, ricocheting off a Bison receiver, and then finally hauled in by a diving Klassen on the Manitoba 40-yard line. Three plays later, the Dinos were in the end zone as Dzwilewski aired it out for Dobko in the back corner to put the Dinos up 23-12.

“The defence played outstanding all day today,” said Nill. “We had a couple breakdowns, but you have to expect that because Manitoba has outstanding talent out there. We had a very good game, and Klassen's interception was an indication of the kind of effort the guys put forth out there today.”

Dzwilewski would lead the Dinos on another long drive later, marching 90 yards downfield and capping it off with a six-yard touchdown toss to Jake Harty. Mark sealed it with a 31-yard field goal late.

Without the services of the injured Lumbala, the Dinos' rushing attack was by committee. Cuong Thai Lieu picked up 64 yards on 13 carries, while Mercer Timmis ran for 28 yards on five attempts. Dzwilewski called his own number eight times, picking up 49 yards – but it was with his arm he was most dangerous.

In addition to Dobko's 182 receiving yards, Harty caught six passes for 74 yards and the major, while Taylor Nill had a solid outing with four catches for 62 yards. Richard Snyder picked up two late catches of 23 and 17 yards as well.

For the Bisons, Clark went just 10-of-27 passing for 211 yards, the lion's share of which came on that 80-yard major by Johnson. The Dinos managed to pick him off three times, with Wyatt Getty and Jamahl Knowles joining Klassen in getting their hands on errant Manitoba passes.

Calgary's defence did an admirable job against the run, holding the explosive Bisons to just 117 yards rushing – all of which came courtesy Kienan LaFrance. He will go down with 18 carries for 119 yards, while Nic Demski's only attempt of the day went for a two-yard loss.

Mike Edem was again Calgary's top tackler with four solos and seven assists for a total of 7.5. He also picked up a fumble recovery when Demski booted a short Johnny Mark punt and Edem pounced right on it.

Cassama would add five solo tackles, while Cyril Iwanegbe recorded 4.5.

The Bisons remain home next week to host the winless Alberta Golden Bears, while Calgary heads back on the road to face the UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver. Kickoff is 3 p.m. MT Saturday, Sept. 22 from Thunderbird Stadium.

SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
CGY – TEAM safety, 1:21, 2-0 CGY
CGY – Johnny Mark punt single, 2:41, 3-0 CGY
CGY – Johnny Mark 33-yard FG, 7:28, 6-0 CGY
CGY – Johnny Mark 25-yard FG, 14:00, 9-0 CGY

2nd Quarter
MAN – Brendon Bowman punt single, 1:22, 9-1 CGY
MAN – Xavier Johnson 80-yard TD catch from Cam Clark (Nick Boyd convert), 5:00, 9-8 CGY

3rd Quarter
CGY – Chris Dobko 33-yard TD catch from Eric Dzwilewski (Johnny Mark convert), 3:32, 16-8 CGY
MAN – Brendon Bowman punt single, 8:10, 16-9 CGY
MAN – Nick Boyd 35-yard FG, 15:00, 16-12 CGY

4th Quarter
CGY - Chris Dobko 12-yard TD catch from Eric Dzwilewski (Johnny Mark convert), 3:25, 23-12 CGY
CGY - Jake Harty 6-yard TD catch from Eric Dzwilewski (Johnny Mark convert), 8:22, 30-12 CGY
CGY - Johnny Mark 31-yard FG, 12:40, 33-12 CGY

-UC-