By Judy Owen,
Canadian Press
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Bisons put forth an impressive all-around effort in earning their first trip to the Vanier Cup since 2001.
Manitoba scored touchdowns on offence, defence and specials teams in a 52-20 victory over the Western Ontario Mustangs in Saturday’s Mitchell Bowl.
The win sends the No. 3-ranked Bisons (11-0) to Toronto on Nov. 23 for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football final against the No. 4 Saint Mary’s Huskies. The Huskies upset the top-ranked, defending national champion Laval Rouge et Or 24-2 in the earlier Uteck Bowl.
Manitoba hasn’t been to the Vanier Cup since 2001, when it lost to Saint Mary’s (42-16). The Bisons’ last national championship was in 1970, the second of back-to-back wins.
The Bisons are 20-1 over the past two seasons. Their only loss was to Saskatchewan in last year’s Canada West final Hardy Cup.
The No. 10 Mustangs (7-5) came in riding a seven-game winning streak, but found themselves down 31-5 at halftime after Manitoba put up 24 unanswered points in the second quarter.
Manitoba’s 52 points set a school record for scoring in a playoff game. The previous mark was 48.
The Bisons got touchdowns from defensive back Brady Browne, linebacker Jim Jeavons, receivers Simon Blaszczak and Terry Firr, fullback Neil Fulgueras and a pair by running back Matt Henry. Scott Dixon added a 41-yard field goal.
The Mustangs’ scoring came off a seven-yard TD run by Randy McAuley and a one-yard keeper by quarterback Michael Faulds. Kicker Derek Schiavone connected on a 28-yard field goal and Manitoba conceded a pair of safeties.
McAuley’s TD at 4:51 of the third quarter was the first Manitoba had given up in 245:28 of play. Manitoba’s defence led the country in fewest points allowed (110) in the regular season.
After the Mustangs got on the scoreboard first when Dixon conceded a safety at 4:43 of the first quarter, the Bisons showed their all-round talent.
First it was special teams.
Manitoba defensive back Mike Howard blocked a Schiavone punt and Browne scooped up the ball and ran 26 yards for the TD and 7-2 lead at 6:09 of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Jeavons intercepted a Faulds pass and rumbled down the sidelines for a 99-yard TD at 6:20 to make it 14-5.
Two minutes later, Bisons quarterback John Makie tossed a 41-yard pass to Blaszczak for the 21-5 lead.
Manitoba’s third TD of the second quarter was a one-yard run by Henry with 1:02 left. Dixon hit his 41-yarder with one second left on the clock.
Western’s special teams had its moment in the spotlight, too.
Late in the second quarter, Schiavone lined up to punt on third down and 11, but he tossed the ball to running back Eric Willson. The Mustangs took over at Manitoba’s 36-yard line and Schiavone booted his 28-yarder.
Makie threw a 37-yard TD pass to Fulgueras 2:15 into the fourth quarter and was then replaced by QB Nathan Friesen.
Western notched the game’s final score, a one-yard keeper by Faulds at 4:51 of the fourth.
Western and Manitoba had only met once before in history, a 1974 pre-season game that the Bisons won 28-14.
