CALGARY – The No. 7 University of Calgary Dinos return home and look to snap a two-game losing streak when they host the University of Alberta Golden Bears at McMahon stadium.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. MT on Sunday, with coverage on CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op.
Calgary is in the midst of their first two-game losing streak in Canada West action since the start of the 2010 season and will look to jumpstart their season against their neighbours from the north.
Headlines
- The provincial rivals faced off twice during the 2019 season, with the Dinos taking both games in their championship season.
- Calgary has won 10 of the last 11 matchups between the two squads, as well as the last four in a row.
- Despite the two-game skid, the Dinos still find themselves ranked in the U SPORTS Top 10, falling three spots from last week to No. 7.
- Both teams will be looking for a bounce back performance on Sunday, as the Dinos lost on the road against the Manitoba Bisons last week, while the Bears were handled by the Saskatchewan Huskies.
- Even though both teams come in with a 1-2 record, they are both still very much in the Canada West playoff conversation. There is currently a four-way tie for third place, with the top-four teams making the playoffs.
- This game will be the only regular season matchup between the two rivals in the shortened 2021 season.
- Calgary will look to turn their offensive success into a win this week, as despite their record being below .500, they still lead the country in total yards per contest (533.0), passing yards per game (356.3) and first downs per game (28.7).
No. 7 CALGARY DINOS (1-2)
Last week: lost to Manitoba 28-20
Next week: host UBC
- The Dinos roared out to a 20-2 lead last week against the undefeated Manitoba Bisons before giving up 26 unanswered to fall to 1-2.
- Receiver Nathanial Durkan had a breakout performance last week against the Bisons, racking up 130 yards and one touchdown on 8 catches – all team-highs.
- Calgary will look to get the Philpot brothers going again this week, as Manitoba was the first team to slow the duo down – by their standards at least. Even with the down game, the brothers still rank No.1 and No. 2 in the country in terms of receiving yards per game.
- Fourth-year running back Alessandro Molnar will look to build on his strong game from last week, as the Calgary, Alta., native rushed for 131 yards on 15 carries last week against Manitoba.
- Linebacker Daniel Flanagan continues to be everywhere for the Dinos, leading the team in both tackles and tackles-for-loss through their first three games.
- Next weekend, the Dinos will once again play in the friendly confides of McMahon Stadium when they welcome the UBC Thunderbirds.
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (1-2)
Last week: lost to Saskatchewan 54-27
Next week: host Regina
- Alberta was thoroughly outplayed in the first half of their game against Saskatchewan last weekend, before showing signs of life in the fourth quarter with two touchdown scores.
- The Bears played three quarterbacks in their game against the Huskies. Brad Launhardt had the most success of the trio, coming in to go 8-for-9 for 133 yards and a touchdown.
- Linebacker Josiah Schakel has been a bright spot for the Bears' defence throughout the early part of the season. Schakel is currently averaging 8.3 tackles per game, the second highest mark in all of U SPORTS. He also has two sacks on the year.
- Alberta will look to cut down on the penalties when they take on the Dinos, as they are currently averaging 120.0 yards of penalty yards per game, tied for the third-most in the country
- The Bears will head home next weekend to host the Regina Rams at Foote Field.
