CALGARY – In a stunning offensive display, the No. 1-ranked University of Calgary Dinos racked up 975 yards of total offence to dismantle the University of Alberta Golden Bears 80-18 Thursday night at McMahon Stadium, improving to 3-0 on the season.

Debuting their all-white uniform look and scoring touchdowns on their first five possessions of the game, the Dinos had a 42-point lead before the Golden Bears (2-1) found the scoreboard. With the win, the Dinos take over sole possession of first place in Canada West after averaging nearly 13 yards per play offensively.

Along the way, fifth-year Dinos kicker Johnny Mark became the all-time scoring leader in CIS history, passing Lirim Hajrullahu (Western, 2009-13) with his first extra point of the night just 2:29 in – one of 10 converts on the night. He added three field goals and a kickoff single to score 20 points in total, setting the new national record at 442 points – with five games remaining in the season.

"We focused on doing what we need to do to make ourselves better on every play," said Dinos head coach Wayne Harris, who saw his team ranked No. 1 in the nation this week for the first time since late in the 2011 season. "If you're going to get ranked No. 1, you have to play like you're No. 1, and our guys are doing what they need to do to be successful."

Quarterback Andrew Buckley displayed the form that won him the Hec Crighton Trophy last year, completing 27 of 33 passes for 452 yards and three touchdowns in just over three quarters of action – a completion percentage of better than 80 as he directed an explosive offensive effort.

"Coming back from his pro camp experience, learning to play at that tempo really slows the game down," said Harris of Buckley's off-season with the Calgary Stampeders. "He is going through his reads, finding his receivers quickly, and making fast decisions. He's throwing the ball very well right now."

Three Dinos ended up in triple-digit receiving with Brendon Thera-Plamondon leading the way with five catches for 126 yards and a major, adding 33 rushing yards and a TD on the ground as well. Rashaun Simonise and Austen Hartley each had six catches, picking up 118 and 114 yards, respectively.

Starting tailback Mercer Timmis had just four carries on the night but still picked up 100 yards and two touchdowns – including a 54-yarder midway through the first quarter. He left the game as a precaution after the opening frame, giving backups Bryce Harper and Jeshrun Antwi an opportunity. Antwi, a 17-year-old freshman out of Father Lacombe High School in Calgary, collected 147 yards and the first two TDs of his CIS career on 12 carries.

The Bears came out solidly with a good-looking opening drive, pulling out a trick play with receiver Jimmy Ralph tossing to quarterback Ben Kopczynski for a touchdown. But it was called back on a hold, and two plays later Adam Laurensse picked off Kopczynski in the end zone. Four plays later, the Dinos had marched 101 yards and Timmis had his second TD of the night to make it 14-0.

Kopczynski scored on a one-yard plunge to make it 42-7 in the second quarter, and then in the third found Jon Waters for Alberta's longest play of the night – a 58-yard score early in the quarter. Stephen Fabian accounted for the other Alberta scoring with a 24-yard field goal and a punt single.

Kopczynski threw for 231 yards, 116 of which went to Ralph. Ed Ilnicki was held to 87 rushing yards by the Calgary defence.

With 80 points on the scoreboard, the Dinos broke their own record for points scored in a Canada West game, eclipsing their 78-point total from October 2012.

Both teams will enjoy a long week before returning to action. Alberta will play host to the Manitoba Bisons next Friday night, while the Dinos will head on the road to face the Regina Rams on Saturday, Sept. 26.

FINAL
Alberta                 00  07  10  01 – 18
#1 Calgary           21  24  11  21 – 80

SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
CGY – Mercer Timmis 6-yard TD run (Johnny Mark convert), 2:29, 7-0 CGY
CGY – Mercer Timmis 54-yard TD run (Johnny Mark convert), 7:09, 14-0 CGY
CGY – Austen Hartley 33-yard TD catch from Andrew Buckley (Johnny Mark convert), 10:42, 21-0 CGY

2nd Quarter
CGY – Jimmy Underdahl 1-yard TD run (Johnny Mark convert), 0:55, 28-0 CGY
CGY – Rashaun Simonise 42-yard TD catch from Andrew Buckley (Johnny Mark convert), 4:25, 35-0 CGY
CGY – Brendon Thera-Plamondon 12-yard TD run (Johnny Mark convert), 42-0 CGY
ALB – Ben Kopczinski 1-yard TD run (Stephen Fabian convert), 13:14, 42-7 CGY
CGY – Johnny Mark 35-yard FG, 15:00, 45-7 CGY

3rd Quarter
CGY – Johnny Mark 26-yard FG, 2:52, 48-7 CGY
ALB – Jon Waters 58-yard TD catch from Ben Kopczinski (Stephen Fabian convert), 5:11, 48-14 CGY
ALB – Stephen Fabian 24-yard FG, 9:52, 48-17 CGY
CGY – Rashaun Simonise 2-yard TD catch from Andrew Buckley (Johnny Mark convert), 11:35, 55-17 CGY
CGY – Johnny Mark 77-yard kickoff single, 11:42, 56-17 CGY

4th Quarter
CGY – Brendon Thera-Plamondon 37-yard TD catch from Jimmy Underdahl (Johnny Mark convert), 1:44, 63-17 CGY
ALB – Stephen Fabian 59-yard punt single, 5:47, 63-18 CGY
CGY – Jeshrun Antwi 7-yard TD run (Johnny Mark convert), 6:56, 70-18 CGY
CGY – Jeshrun Antwi 13-yard TD run (Johnny Mark convert), 10:04, 77-18 CGY
CGY – Johnny Mark 31-yard FG, 13:36, 80-18 CGY

-UC-