CALGARY – With Thanksgiving behind them, the No. 3 University of Calgary Dinos turn their attention to the stretch drive, which begins in earnest Friday night with the Manitoba Bisons on the schedule.

Kickoff goes just after 7 p.m. at McMahon Stadium, live on CanadaWest.tv.

GAME NOTES (.pdf)

The Bisons were among the beneficiaries of the biggest bye-week story in Canada West when Regina's eligibility violation resulted five games being overturned. As a result, the Bisons come in with a 3-2 record in a second-place tie with Saskatchewan and just three games to play.

The switch in the standings also resulted in a number of fresh tiebreaker scenarios as the playoff situation gets sorted out. The Dinos remain the lone team to have clinched a postseason berth, and with a win over Manitoba Friday could clinch first place and home field through the Hardy Cup.

The Bisons, though, have a potent offence that leads Canada West in rushing and is second to Calgary in passing, total yards, and scoring. Quarterback Des Catellier – a Calgary native – is averaging nearly 350 yards passing per game and has 16 touchdowns on the year, while running back Jamel Lyles is just under 100 yards per game on average as the conference's top rusher.

"They have a lot of weapons on offence with their receiving corps and running back," said Dinos Head Coach Wayne Harris. "Des Catellier is having a good year, and they've put a lot of points on the board against everyone they've played – so it's going to be a big test for our defence."

HEADLINES

• Lone meeting between Calgary and Manitoba in 2018. Calgary won both games in 2017, 76-17 in Winnipeg and 36-27 in Calgary, and the Dinos have won their last five straight against Manitoba
• Calgary will clinch first place in CW in Week 6 with a win over Manitoba, which would mark the seventh time in eight years the Dinos would take the pole position heading into the playoffs
• Second of three consecutive home games for the Dinos, who beat Saskatchewan 33-13 their last time out and host Regina next Friday night

No. 3 CALGARY DINOS (5-0)
Before bye: defeated Saskatchewan 33-13
Next week: host Regina

 

• Adam Sinagra was the U SPORTS offensive player of the week for the third time in five tries after his performance against Saskatchewan two weeks ago. He continues to average 429 yards per game through the air and is a legitimate MVP candidate in the conference and the country if his stellar play continues
• Sinagra's receivers, of course, have stepped to the plate, with three Dinos in the top-10 in Canada West. Leading the way is Hunter Karl with his 117.8 yards-per-game average, including an incredible 22.7 yards per catch. Rookie twins Tyson Philpot and Jalen Philpot each have three touchdowns on the season. Tyson and Alex Basilis join Karl in the top 10.
• Calgary also leads the leatue in defence, allowing just 435.8 yards and 22.2 points per game – both easily the lowest totals in Canada West.
• Wayne Harris, on using the bye week: "It was somewhat recovery, mostly refocusing on fundamentals and making sure that we're playing our systems correctly. We're still making mistakes out there – things that are fixable, things we can do better. We're a long way from being perfect, and you always want to clean up and get better each week, especially going into the playoffs each week."

MANITOBA BISONS (3-2)
Before bye: lost to Regina 32-31 (OT)* - REG forfeits due to ineligible player
Next week: at Saskatchewan
 

• Dylan Schrot is Catellier's top target on the year, leading Canada West with 38 receptions and averaging 108.6 yards per game to go with five touchdowns on the season. Macho Bockru and Shai Ross both have at least 20 catches and three touchdowns on the season as well.
• While Lyles gets the bulk of the carries on offence, with 71 in four games played, Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette provides a change of pace for the Manitoba offence and is averaging just over 45 yards per game.
• Manitoba kicker Brad Mikoluff is tied with Calgary's Niko DiFonte for the field goals lead with 12 each, while linebacker Houston Rennie is Manitoba's leading tackler with 24 on the campaign.

-UC-