The University of Manitoba Bison football team is preparing for a trip out west this weekend as they take on the UBC Thunderbirds.
Coming off a homecoming win last week against Saskatchewan, the Bisons have cracked the CIS Top 10 ranking, where they sit tied with UBC at 2-1. Both teams will meet Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium. In the short CIS season, head coach Brian Dobie says it’s going to be a showdown.
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Manitoba has put up several W’s the last three times they’ve played UBC, but won’t be getting too comfortable with the statistic, especially with UBC’s scoring offence sitting in third above the Bisons. The Thunderbirds also lead the Herd in rushing offence.
With such a young team, coach Dobie says there’s quite a bit of learning that still needs to go on among the players.
“We have to keep the hammer down on them,” Dobie said. “The mental side of the game is a whole different level at university, and certainly at pro. It’s important that they understand why we need to improve every day.”
Road games will be a new experience for many players, many of whom are first-year, but Dobie adds it’s important they understand the business on the field needs to be completed the same way as at home.
Following the trip to UBC, the Bisons will face Regina on the road next weekend, September 30.
Saturday’s game can be heard on 101.5 UMFM starting at 3:45 p.m. CT with the pre-game.
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In other university action, the Bison men’s hockey team will wrap up their pre-season at Max Bell Arena this weekend against Regina. The teams play tonight at 7 p.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. An alumni reunion scrimmage game (12:30 p.m.) will take place prior to Saturday’s puck drop, featuring about 30 past players. The Bisons’ regular season begins September 30 on the road against Calgary.
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