CALGARY – Throw out the records, the standings, the stats, and the rankings: it's playoff time in Canada West, and anything can happen.

The top-seeded University of Calgary Dinos begin their playoff trail Saturday at McMahon Stadium, and it's a Manitoba Bisons team with nothing to lose that's between the Dinos and a trip to the Hardy Cup for the 11th straight year.

Kickoff goes at noon Saturday, live on TELUS Optik 997 in Alberta/BC, SaskTel in Saskatchewan, and Bell MTS in Manitoba, with live streaming available on CanadaWest.tv.

GAME NOTES (.pdf)

The teams met just three weeks ago at the same place, with Calgary taking a 34-16 win back in Week 6. That win clinched first place and top spot for the Dinos in the last meaningful game they played – but they didn't let off in their final tune-up contests. Calgary wrapped up an 8-0 season by defeating Regina and Alberta by a combined score of 110-12 in the last two weeks and carries plenty of momentum into the postseason.

"The guys prepared well for both games," said Dinos Head Coach Wayne Harris. "We didn't really pull back in any way in terms of who we would dress, and we went in with the players we expect to play throughout.

"it's going to be a big challenge on Saturday, and we have to be prepared to play. It's always tough playing Manitoba – Coach Dobie has been in the league for a long time and he does a great job preparing his teams. They have a lot of talent and weapons, and one of the best return guys in the game."

For their part, the Bisons will be looking for the major upset, and they have some experience in that department after upsetting the Dinos in their last playoff meeting, the 2014 Hardy Cup.

HEADLINES

• Calgary won the only meeting between the teams this season, 34-16 at McMahon on Oct. 12
• Manitoba enters the playoffs on a three-game losing skid that started with that loss to the Dinos, dropping games to Saskatchewan (27-4) and UBC (38-34 OT) in their final two games
• The Dinos are 3-3 against the Bisons in playoff games, with the last one going Manitoba's way in the 2014 Hardy Cup. The teams last met in the semifinal round in 2012, with Calgary winning 57-18
• A win for the Dinos would put them into the Hardy Cup for the 11th straight season, and that game would be at McMahon for the 10th time in those 11 years.

No. 3 CALGARY DINOS (8-0)
Last week: defeated Alberta 52-6


 

• With the single-season passing record (3,233 yards) in the bag, Adam Sinagra will focus on Ws the rest of the way. The conference MVP candidate completed 30 of 45 passes for 305 yards and two TDs in his last outing against the Bisons on a windy night at McMahon, nearly 100 yards below his season average
• Calgary's defence has been incredibly stingy down the stretch. The Dinos haven't given up a touchdown since the midway point of the fourth quarter against the Bisons on Oct. 12. The defence hasn't given up more than 20 points since Sept. 22 at UBC and led Canada West in points allowed, yards allowed, passing yards allowed, sacks, and defensive touchdowns.
• Hunter Karl had himself a year, recording 100 receiving yards seven times in his eight outinga
• The Calgary offence was sensational on the season, averaging nearly 571 yards per game and scoring 44 points, on average. This was thanks in large part to Sinagra, who set a school single-season record with 186 completions on his way to the national single-season passing record
• The Dinos are 28-6 at home all-time in the playoffs

MANITOBA BISONS (3-5)
Last week: lost 38-34 (OT) to UBC



 

• The Bisons let an 11-point lead slip away last weekend at home to UBC, ultimately falling 38-34 in overtime to the Thunderbirds to finish the season at 3-5 – with one of those wins coming courtesy a Regina forfeit.
• Calgary-raised QB Des Catellier struggled in Week 7 against Saskatchewan and missed Week 8 with a lower body injury. He finished fourth in CW with 287.4 passing yards per game along with 16 touchdowns
• Sophomore tailback Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette has emerged in a one-two punch out the backfield for the Bisons, joining third-year Jamel Lyles who led the league with 85.1 yards per game. St. Pierre-Laviolette averaged 10.6 yards per carry, giving the Bisons different looks along the ground
• Defensive tackle Kent Hicks recorded 2.5 sacks for the Bisons last week against UBC, earning CW and U SPORTS defensive player-of-the-week honours for his efforts.

-UC-