CALGARY – After starting the season with three long road trips in four weeks, the No. 3 University of Calgary Dinos are assured of spending at least the next five weekends in the province of Alberta.

The string includes the Thanksgiving bye, a season-ending trip to Edmonton to take on Alberta, and three consecutive home games – beginning this Saturday when the Dinos host the No. 6 Saskatchewan Huskies. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at McMahon Stadium, and CanadaWest.tv will have live streaming coverage.

GAME NOTES (.pdf)

The road-weary Dinos faced the Huskies just two weeks ago in Saskatoon and, thanks to a 569-yard passing performance by Adam Sinagra, posted a 37-28 win. They followed that up with a tough, rain-soaked come-from-behind 32-28 win at UBC last Saturday night, maintaining their position as one of just three unbeaten teams left in the nation as they reached the halfway mark of the regular season.

"We're really pleased with how so many of the young guys have been able to step up and really compete at a high level – that's the key, the ability to compete," said Dinos Head Coach Wayne Harris. "We have them in every position group – both lines, defensive backs, receivers…obviously the passing yardage we've been able to create you always give credit to the quarterback and the receivers, but the O-line has to give you the time too."

HEADLINES

• Second of two meetings in three weeks between the rivals, with Calgary owning a nine-point advantage in the tiebreaker after a 38-27 win two weeks ago in Saskatoon
• The Dinos and Huskies own the top two defences in Canada West, with Calgary averaging 24.5 points against per game and Saskatchewan just behind at 25.8.
• First of three straight home games for the Dinos, and at least the next four games will take place in the province of Alberta with only a quick trip to Edmonton Week 8 remaining.

No. 3 CALGARY DINOS (4-0)
Last week: defeated UBC 32-28
After bye: host Manitoba

 

• The Dinos found a way last Saturday in Vancouver, battling rainy conditions to put up a fourth-quarter comeback and take a 32-28 win. Tyson Philpot and Alex Basilis caught TD passes from Adam Sinagra in the fourth.
• Sinagra remains atop the national passing leaderboard with 428.3 yards per game on average, with Manitoba's Des Catellier next at 352. The Dinos continue to average a whopping 581 yards total offence at the halfway point of the season, while the defence has given up a conference-low 440 yards per game along with just 98 points against on the season.
• The Dinos' penalty situation got under control last week at UBC, with just 60 penalty yards against – contrast that with the 175 yards against the week before in Saskatchewan. The Dinos' average is 92 yards per game, which is middle of the pack in Canada West.
• Calgary owns both the top offence (total points and total yards) and top defence (total points allowed and total yards allowed) in Canada West
• Harris on being back home: "It's really nice to be back at home, knowing you don't need to make a bunch of travel arrangements. Players stay home, can take care of school and sleep in their own beds. It's a big help – and home field advantage of getting another five guys on the roster to help share the workload."
• Harris on the tough CW schedule: "I don't expect anything different from anyone that we play this year – it doesn't matter who the opponent is, it's going to be a tough game. They all have different nuances about them, but CW is a tough, tough conference from top to bottom – I'll always say that. I can't remember an easy game – we've had lopsided scores, but they're not easy games where you're pulling your starters after the first quarter."

No. 6 SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (3-1)
Last week: defeated Regina 33-20
After bye: at UBC

 

• The Huskies rebounded from their loss to the Dinos in Week 3 to defeat Regina 33-20 at home last week, improving to 3-1 on the season
• Receiver Colton Klassen and defensive back Jacob Solie earned conference player-of-the-week honours on offence and defence, respectively. Klassen caught six passes for 99 yards and two TDs, while Solie had a 64-yard pick six along with three tackles
• Saskatchewan has already topped its win total from 2017, when the Huskies finished 2-6, by the halfway point of 2018.

-UC-