CALGARY – In a windy, penalty filled affair, the University of Calgary Dinos were able to prevail over the UBC Thunderbirds and clinch first place in Canada West and home field advantage throughout the Hardy Cup playoffs with a 36-17 win Saturday afternoon at McMahon Stadium.
It was not the cleanest game from both sides, as there was a combined 25 accepted penalties between the teams, as well as seven total turnovers. Luckily for the Dinos, their defence put on another spectacular performance, giving up just 193 yards of total offence, and opening the game's scoring with a 40-yard fumble recovery by
Matthew Lucyshyn.
"That first turnover was a real big help," explained Dinos head coach
Wayne Harris. "It got them set back a little bit, and we were able to come out of the first half with a little bit of a lead."
Calgary was able follow up the defensive touchdown with a
Josiah Joseph sneak from the one, and jump out to an early 14-0 lead.
The Thunderbirds, who had already been eliminated from playoff contention, showed some fight to get back in the game, after their best offensive drive of the game led to a Jacob Patten 7-yard touchdown catch from Gabe Olivares. On the ensuing Calgary drive, Nick Cross picked off Dinos quarterback
Adam Sinagra and take it to the house for a 17-yard score tying the game at 14.
Unfortunately for the Thunderbirds, it was all Dinos from that point on, as Sinagra would shake off the interception and lead a touchdown drive that ended with another Joseph sneak to give Calgary the lead once again at 21-14.
The wind was a factor all game, as the team heading into the stiff breeze was having limited success.
Niko DiFonte was, however, able to use the wind to his advantage at the end of the half, and boomed a 51-yard field goal to give the Dinos a 25-14 lead at halftime.
It was a second half that both offences would probably like to have back, as the lone touchdown came on an incredible one-handed snag by
Nathanael Durkan on a pass from Sinagra. Each team would add a field goal, leading to a final score of 36-17.
The Dinos were also celebrating the brilliant careers of a number of seniors, with
Sterling Taylor IV,
Nick Statz,
Ross DeLauw,
Jack McDonald,
Hunter Karl, Dallas,
Jeshrun Antwi and
Adam Sinagra playing their final regular season game in a Dinos uniform.
Robinson Rodrigues had a nice night on the ground for the Dinos, carrying the ball 12 times for 92 yards. Meanwhile the senior duo of Boath and Karl picked up 86 yards and 72 yards respectively through the air.
Grant McDonald had a solid night defensively for the Dinos, with four tackles and one sack.
Jaxon Ciraolo-Brown was a star for the Thunderbirds, intercepting Sinagra three times.
After clinching first place for the eighth time in nine seasons, the Dinos will get a shot at redemption for last weekend's loss when they host the Manitoba Bisons next Saturday at 12 p.m. in the Hardy Cup semifinal.
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