Bisons Stumble, Then Rumble To Victory

Herd able to rally from an early deficit to win 34-24

NEIL OWENS

Labour day weekend is known for exciting football, and this year was no exception as the Bisons managed a 34-24 win over the Regina Rams Saturday night in Regina.

The Rams took a commanding 20-2 lead early in the first half, causing some serious pacing on the sidelines from Bison head coach Brian Dobie. Stomachs were settled somewhat as the Herd were able to recover before the end of the first half, making the score 20-12 by improving their special teams play while the defence held strong.

In the second half, the Bison offence came alive, led by running back Karim Lowen and wide receiver Terry Firr, first narrowing the gap to two points, then taking the lead 27-20. The fourth quarter was marked by a dramatic goalline stop by the Bison defence, followed by a fumble recovery for a touchdown, ultimately sealing the win for the Bisons.

Opening signs of woe

An early 7-0 lead for the Regina Rams came as a result of trouble by the Bisons’ special teams, specifically two blocked Bison field goal attempts. A short kick by punter Peter Scouras, combined with bad coverage, led to a 40-yard punt return by the Rams’ Andrew Rumbaugh.

Regina quarterback Teale Orban then threw up a 68-yard jump ball, which was caught and run for a touchdown by Chris Bauman, giving the Rams a 14-0 lead, and leaving the Bisons somewhat dumbstruck. The highly rated Orban had a great game, going 17-32 for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Bison quarterback John Makie may have been suffering from opening-game jitters and struggled early on, over-throwing his receivers on several occasions. Makie, who ended up having a solid game (12-25, 182 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions) was replaced by Nathan Friesen for several plays near the end of the first quarter. It provided a much-needed spark for the offence, but failed to put any points on the board.

The Bisons forced a safety, giving them their first points, and making it a 12-2 game.

Orban then engineered a great eight-play 100-yard drive for Regina, culminating with a pass to Chris Getslaf to take a 20-2 lead. The Bisons were left wondering what they were in for, as Regina was performing better than expected and had gained all the momentum. Unfortunately for the Rams, things went downhill from then on, as the Bisons scored the next 25 points.

First half recovery by the Bisons

The shift in momentum back to the Bisons was in large part due to the improved play special teams, led by returner Jon McLaren, who had an outstanding game with 5 returns for 141 yards in the first half alone, giving the Bisons outstanding field position. What’s ironic is that the Rams were kicking to McLaren to avoid returns by Brad Black, who is considered even more dangerous on kick returns.

A field goal kick by Scouras, which may as well have been directed at the Rams’ backside since it destroyed their confidence, made the game 20-5. The Bison defence continually forced the Rams into two-and-outs, giving the Bison offence a chance to score some points. In the first half alone the Bison defence had an unbelievable four sacks, and added another in the second half.

The Bison offence came through late in the first half as 19-year-old rookie Matt Henry had a couple of great long runs before taking the ball into the end zone himself for the first Bison touchdown of the season, making the game a respectable 20-12 at the end of the half. The second quarter was a huge confidence booster, as the two teams headed into the second half.

Offence heats up

The Bisons opened the second half with a solid seven-play 64-yard drive, and capped it off with a 17-yard pass from Makie to Simon Blaszczak, making the game 20-18. The drive was helped along by Karim Lowen, who had a fantastic game (18 carries for 116 yards). The Bisons failed on a two-point conversion, after an incomplete pass to Terry Firr.

After the Bisons forced another Regina safety, tying the game 20-20, Makie threw a great 24-yard pass to Terry Firr for the Bison’s third touchdown of the game, giving them their first lead at 27-20. Firr was a standout for the Bisons on offence, with 5 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Late-game heroics

Early in the fourth quarter, the Rams drove the ball down to the Bisons’ one-yard line. In the most spectacular play of the game, on third and goal, Bison defensive back Brady Browne stuffed Rams fullback Derek Belvedere for a one-yard loss, squashing the Rams’ attempt at a comeback.

The game tightened late in the fourth quarter to 27-24 after two successive safeties were given up by Manitoba. The Bisons pushed into the Rams’ territory on a late drive, but were forced to punt. The ensuing kick was fumbled on the return by the Rams’ Chris King on his own three-yard line. The ball was recovered by the Bisons’ Blaszczak who ran it in for his second touchdown of the game and gave the Bisons their 34-24 victory.

The Bisons will need to improve their defensive secondary and special teams play, but overall showed strong fundamentals on both sides of the ball and showed grit rallying from an early deficit. Fans of the Bisons can look forward to an exciting 2006 football season. Next, the Bisons will face the Simon Frasier Clan on Sept. 8 in their second consecutive road game.

Players of the Game:

# 15 WR Terry Firr: 5 receptions for 101 yards and 1 TD
#33 RB Jon McLaren: 6 kick returns for 163 yards
#20 RB Karim Lowen: 18 carries for 116 yards

Play of the game:

With the Rams in position to score on third and goal late in the fourth quarter, Brady Browne made a huge tackle, as the Rams were stopped on the Bisons’ one-yard line, impeding a potential comeback by Regina.





Volume 94 Issue 4	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	September 06, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Bisons Stumble, Then Rumble To Victory Herd able to rally from an early deficit to win 34-24 NEIL OWENS Labour day weekend is known for exciting football, and this year was no exception as the Bisons managed a 34-24 win over the Regina Rams Saturday night in Regina. The Rams took a commanding 20-2 lead early in the first half, causing some serious pacing on the sidelines from Bison head coach Brian Dobie. Stomachs were settled somewhat as the Herd were able to recover before the end of the first half, making the score 20-12 by improving their special teams play while the defence held strong. In the second half, the Bison offence came alive, led by running back Karim Lowen and wide receiver Terry Firr, first narrowing the gap to two points, then taking the lead 27-20. The fourth quarter was marked by a dramatic goalline stop by the Bison defence, followed by a fumble recovery for a touchdown, ultimately sealing the win for the Bisons. Opening signs of woe An early 7-0 lead for the Regina Rams came as a result of trouble by the Bisons’ special teams, specifically two blocked Bison field goal attempts. A short kick by punter Peter Scouras, combined with bad coverage, led to a 40-yard punt return by the Rams’ Andrew Rumbaugh. Regina quarterback Teale Orban then threw up a 68-yard jump ball, which was caught and run for a touchdown by Chris Bauman, giving the Rams a 14-0 lead, and leaving the Bisons somewhat dumbstruck. The highly rated Orban had a great game, going 17-32 for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bison quarterback John Makie may have been suffering from opening-game jitters and struggled early on, over-throwing his receivers on several occasions. Makie, who ended up having a solid game (12-25, 182 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions) was replaced by Nathan Friesen for several plays near the end of the first quarter. It provided a much-needed spark for the offence, but failed to put any points on the board. The Bisons forced a safety, giving them their first points, and making it a 12-2 game. Orban then engineered a great eight-play 100-yard drive for Regina, culminating with a pass to Chris Getslaf to take a 20-2 lead. The Bisons were left wondering what they were in for, as Regina was performing better than expected and had gained all the momentum. Unfortunately for the Rams, things went downhill from then on, as the Bisons scored the next 25 points. First half recovery by the Bisons The shift in momentum back to the Bisons was in large part due to the improved play special teams, led by returner Jon McLaren, who had an outstanding game with 5 returns for 141 yards in the first half alone, giving the Bisons outstanding field position. What’s ironic is that the Rams were kicking to McLaren to avoid returns by Brad Black, who is considered even more dangerous on kick returns. A field goal kick by Scouras, which may as well have been directed at the Rams’ backside since it destroyed their confidence, made the game 20-5. The Bison defence continually forced the Rams into two-and-outs, giving the Bison offence a chance to score some points. In the first half alone the Bison defence had an unbelievable four sacks, and added another in the second half. The Bison offence came through late in the first half as 19-year-old rookie Matt Henry had a couple of great long runs before taking the ball into the end zone himself for the first Bison touchdown of the season, making the game a respectable 20-12 at the end of the half. The second quarter was a huge confidence booster, as the two teams headed into the second half. Offence heats up The Bisons opened the second half with a solid seven-play 64-yard drive, and capped it off with a 17-yard pass from Makie to Simon Blaszczak, making the game 20-18. The drive was helped along by Karim Lowen, who had a fantastic game (18 carries for 116 yards). The Bisons failed on a two-point conversion, after an incomplete pass to Terry Firr. After the Bisons forced another Regina safety, tying the game 20-20, Makie threw a great 24-yard pass to Terry Firr for the Bison’s third touchdown of the game, giving them their first lead at 27-20. Firr was a standout for the Bisons on offence, with 5 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Late-game heroics Early in the fourth quarter, the Rams drove the ball down to the Bisons’ one-yard line. In the most spectacular play of the game, on third and goal, Bison defensive back Brady Browne stuffed Rams fullback Derek Belvedere for a one-yard loss, squashing the Rams’ attempt at a comeback. The game tightened late in the fourth quarter to 27-24 after two successive safeties were given up by Manitoba. The Bisons pushed into the Rams’ territory on a late drive, but were forced to punt. The ensuing kick was fumbled on the return by the Rams’ Chris King on his own three-yard line. The ball was recovered by the Bisons’ Blaszczak who ran it in for his second touchdown of the game and gave the Bisons their 34-24 victory. The Bisons will need to improve their defensive secondary and special teams play, but overall showed strong fundamentals on both sides of the ball and showed grit rallying from an early deficit. Fans of the Bisons can look forward to an exciting 2006 football season. Next, the Bisons will face the Simon Frasier Clan on Sept. 8 in their second consecutive road game. Players of the Game: # 15 WR Terry Firr: 5 receptions for 101 yards and 1 TD #33 RB Jon McLaren: 6 kick returns for 163 yards #20 RB Karim Lowen: 18 carries for 116 yards Play of the game: With the Rams in position to score on third and goal late in the fourth quarter, Brady Browne made a huge tackle, as the Rams were stopped on the Bisons’ one-yard line, impeding a potential comeback by Regina.


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