Bisons dominate simon frasier 63-8
#2-ranked Bisons show they’re not ready to slow down
NEIL OWENS VOLUNTEER STAFF
PHOTO: DAVID LIPNOWSKI
On Saturday at University Stadium in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Bisons football team faced off against the Simon Fraser Clan for their second meeting of the season. After winning their first encounter 77-7, the Bisons were no easier on the Clan this time around, setting several team scoring records in their 63-8 victory over the Clan. The easy victory didn’t come without an early scare, however.
On their first drive, Simon Fraser shocked the hometown crowd. Clan QB Jason Marshall threw a 52-yard bomb to Aaron Hargreaves for a touchdown. A missed point-after conversion made the game 6-0 for the Clan, but their lead was to be shortlived.
On the following drive a huge 53-yard kick return by Jon McLaren gave the Bisons a chance for a quick response. Manitoba QB John Makie (13 for 21, 280 yards, three TDs) threw subsequent passes to Steve Gronick for a combined 49 yards, and a Bison touchdown, giving the Herd a 7-6 lead.
An interception by Bison defensive back Garrett Zazula set up a pass from QB Makie to Randy Simmons, who would not be caught on his 55- yard run into the endzone, giving the Bisons a 14-6 lead.
The Bisons continued to build on their lead as a Clan fumble, forced by Bison Brady Browne, led to an 18- yard scramble into the endzone by Justin Shaw, making the score 21-6 at the end of the first quarter.
At times Simon Fraser QB Jason Marshall (13 for 22, 170 yards, one TD, one INT) had success on offence, but was unable to drive into scoring position to cut into the Bison lead. In the second quarter, Manitoba added a field goal by Peter Scouras before tailback Matt Henry scored a touchdown on a 23-yard pass from QB Makie.
Even with a big 33-6 lead at halftime, Bison head coach Brian Dobie tore a strip off his team for not playing at their best. “I wasn’t very happy about the first half today. I flipped out at half time. I was screaming at them, I was so upset with them.”
“We went out, took a hundred penalties in the first half. We had guys that have been coached all year at doing the right things, not doing the right things.”
Dobie was most concerned with losing momentum heading into the playoffs: “We need to keep building and we can’t allow ourselves to step back. That’s my main concern, is the steady progression.”
The Bisons responded to his satisfaction, proving they deserve their number-2 ranking. “We were a completely different team in the second half. We played much better. We were much more disciplined. We were much, much, much more focused.”
Midway through the third quarter Henry scored his second touchdown of the game on an 11-yard run. Nathan Friesen then took over as QB and engineered a drive capped by a big 34-yard pass to Mike Mizerski for a touchdown and a 46-6 lead.
Poor field position forced Bison kicker Peter Scouras to concede a safety making the game 46-8. Overall, the mobile Bison defense dominated the Clan’s offensive unit, denying any chance at a comeback.
Jon McLaren took over as running back in the fourth quarter, and the team continued its offensive output. The Bisons extended their lead to 53- 8 on an 11-yard pass to Kurt Reinfort from Nathan Friesen.
A touchdown by Aaron Edmonds after several big runs by Jon McLaren and a field goal by Peter Scouras ended the carnage, making the final score 63-8 for the Bisons.
Defensive linemen Donald Ormasionwu admitted that after last week’s big victory against Saskatchewan, the team struggled to refocus.
“We’re human, we played the number-2 ranked team, and then we went down and played a team that’s not even ranked. It’s hard to stay focused,” Ormasionwu said.
Henry, who showed impressive running ability — racking up 133 yards on 14 carries with 2 touchdowns — talked about the team maintaining their level of play heading into the playoffs.
“We’re up here right now, and we think we have to keep it up there to get to the playoffs and maybe to the Vanier, and maybe even win the Vanier (Cup).”
The Bisons next host the Regina Rams on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m., while Simon Frasier (0-5-1) faces UBC.
