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Canada West Football Previews

29 Aug 2019, 04:12 PM 29 August 2019, 04:12 PM

U SPORTS Staff

Alberta Golden Bears

2018 regular season record: 2-6
2018 regular season standings: 5^th in Canada West
2018 playoff record: N/A
2018 playoff finish: Did not qualify

General Write-Up:

The Golden Bears battled numerous injuries across the field last season, finishing fifth in Canada West with a 2-6 conference record. However, head coach Chris Morris is returning a large portion of his youthful core this season, coupled with one of the best recruiting classes during his tenure with the Bears.

Offensively, the Bears will be led by 2018-19 U of A Male Rookie of the Year, Jonathan Rosery. The freshman running back finished third in the conference with 612 rushing yards last season, despite only starting in six of the Bears eight games.

Paving the way for Rosery will be the Bears talented offensive line, anchored by 2018 U SPORTS All-Canadian, and top CFL prospect Carter O’Donnell. O’Donnell is regarded as one of the top prospects for the next CFL draft, and is garnering NFL buzz leading into the season.

Defensively, the Bears will rely on returning starters Reggie Schoeppe (DB) and Aaron Chabaylo (LB), both of whom competed in the East-West Bowl this spring in Ottawa.

While the Bears will return a handful of starting athletes, they will have two new play callers on their staff this season. Former Edmonton Eskimo and head coach of the Edmonton Huskies Rick Walters was named the new offensive coordinator, while former McMaster Marauders HC Greg Knox will take over as defensive coordinator.

Quote from head coach: Chris Morris

”I have been extremely impressed with the resolve, determination and work ethic of this group of young men. It is a talented group of guys who really care and who have done everything they can to improve both individually and collectively this off-season. I am excited to see what this group of players and coaches can accomplish together this season.

“This is one of, if not the top recruiting classes we have had in the last six years. We brought in talent all over the field, including highly-toughed high school players and several junior standouts, such as Jayden Dalke and Jassen Brown who we’re both All-Canadian PFC players that should make huge contributions to the team this season.”

Head Coach: Chris Morris

Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2019): 7
Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2019): 7
Career regular season record with team: 11-37
Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 11-37
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 11-38
Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 11-38

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters: 8

Key returning players:

RB Jonathan Rosery - Finished third in the conference with 612 rushing yards, despite having just one carry over the first two weeks of the season. His 6.6 yards per attempt were the second most in the conference, with his 98.8 all-purpose yards per game the most among conference rookies. 2019 University of Alberta Male Rookie of the Year.

WR Colby Miller – Led the Bears with 498 receiving yards last season, the 10^th highest mark in Canada West.

OL Carter O’Donnell – 2018 Canada West All-Star and U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian left tackle. Started each of the Bears eight games over the last two seasons.

Key recruits or transfers:

QB Luke Hornung – Led the Miller Marauders to a city and provincial title in 2018. He also captured a 3A championship in 2016. Threw for 722 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018, adding six rushing touchdowns.

RB Matthew Peterson – Team Canada and Team Alberta running back. Ranked in the top five among Canadian running back recruits by Canadian Football Chat.

Key losses:

QB Brad Baker

OL Nick Cessford

OL Joe McQuay

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 7

Key returning players:

Aaron Chabaylo – Finished second on the Bears, and third in Canada West with 45 tackles in 2018. His 108 tackles over the last two seasons are the most in the conference. He also led the Bears with two interceptions in 2018, one of only four players in CW to have two or more picks.

Colton Balicki – Led all Canada West defensive backs with 40 tackles in eight games.

Zach Mann – Led Canada West with 54 tackles in eight games last season. Also led the Golden Bears with two sacks and three tackles for a loss.

Key recruits or transfers:

LB Jassen Brown – Named the 2017 CJFL Defensive Player of the Year after he recorded 42 tackles, 6 assisted tackles, 1.5 sacks, one knockdown, one forced fumble and one interception with the Edmonton Huskies. 2017 PFC All-Star and Outstanding Defensive Player.

DB Jayden Dalke – 2018 PFC All-Star. 2017 PFC Outstanding Defensive Back and all-star.

DB Tyshon Blackburn – Team Canada Defensive Back. Led St. Francis to a Calgary City High School title in 2018.

Key losses:

DL Blake Adams

DL Tyrell Hering

FS Dylan Niedermaier

LB Levon Hawreliak

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players: 1

K Brent Arthur – Led the Bears with 14 field goals and 52 points last season. His 47 points were the sixth most in Canada West last season. He also made each of his 10 extra point attempts.

Key recruits or transfers:

Key losses:

P Zach Woodman

PLAYER TO WATCH

Name: Jonathan Rosery

University: Alberta

Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.

High school / Cegep: Harry Ainlay High School

Position: Running Back

Academic program: Arts

Year of eligibility: 2

Height: 5-10

Weight: 175

Key stats from 2018: Third in Canada West with 612 rushing yards. Second in CW with 6.6 yards per attempt. Led all Canada West Rookies with 98.8 all-purpose yards per game.

Awards & honours (since start of U SPORTS career): 2019 University of Alberta Male Rookie of the Year

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PROFILE

Behind oneof the most talented offensive lines in Canada West, second-year running back Jonathan Rosery is set up for another stellar season for Alberta.

As a true freshman in 2018, Rosery finished third in the conference with 612 rushing yards, despite having just one carry over the first two weeks of the season. His 6.6 yards per attempt were the second most in the conference, with his 98.8 all-purpose yards per game the most among conference rookies.

While the Bears do have a crowded running back room, Rosery should once again find himself near the conference rushing leaders this season.

UBC Thunderbirds

2018 regular season record: 5-3
2018 regular season standings: 2^nd in Canada West
2018 playoff record: 0-1
2018 playoff finish: Lost 31-28 in overtime to Saskatchewan in Hardy Cup semifinals

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General Write-Up:

The 2019 season brings about a new era of sorts for the UBC Thunderbirds. Following the departure of quarterback Michael O’Connor as well as several other key figures dating back to UBC’s 2015 Vanier Cup championship, there are a number of big holes needing to be filled on offence, defence, and special teams.

The 2018 season saw the Thunderbirds get out to a sluggish start but won their final three regular season games to finish 5-3 and in second place in the conference. The ‘Birds hosted the eventual Hardy Cup champion Saskatchewan Huskies in a playoff semifinal where the visitors advanced with a 31-28 overtime victory. The T-Birds have now had their last three seasons end in the post-season by a combined seven points.

With an impressive recruiting class, head coach Blake Nill enters his fifth season at the Thunderbirds’ helm. A veteran offensive line will be key to provide protection for UBC’s new yet-to-be determined starting pivot. The offence in general will look completely different from the past several seasons while the defence will be led once again by Ben Hladik, the 2018 Canada West Defensive Player of the Year

Entering his 22^nd season as a U SPORTS head coach, Nill remains on the hunt for his fourth Vanier Cup title.

Quote from head coach: Blake Nill

“There’s been a lot of really good surprises and impressive veteran performances and we just got to keep putting the athletes in a position so they can be evaluated which will allow us to put the best team on the field. We’re very fortunate to have the O-line situation we have, that’s going to be a major part of our season this year and on the defensive side of the ball, our linebacker crew has to be one of the best in the country. Right now the kids are focused on the group that’s on the field, you don’t see anyone do anything else but support one another and trying to get better as a whole.”

Head Coach: Blake Nill

Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2019): 5
Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2019): 22
Career regular season record with team: 20-12
Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 123-46
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 26-15
Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 156-62

OFFENCE

Key returning players:

WR Lliam Wishart returns for his third season in the blue and gold boasting the greatest offensive production among all returning Thunderbirds. The Kamloops, B.C., native amassed 446 all-purpose yards in 2018, finishing second in team receptions and receiving yards.

RB Sharique Khan can expect a healthy load of carries in his sophomore season following the departure of Ben Cummings and Kory Nagata. The Fort McMurray, AB product was thrust into a starting role midway through 2018 and flourished, putting up a combined 150 yards of offence in a 30-11 win over Alberta.

OL Diego Alatorre is back for his third season with UBC. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound native of Tlajomulco de Zuñiga, Mexico will be a key component for the ‘Birds’ front line.

Key recruits or transfers:

TE Brad Hladik joins brother Ben on the T-Birds, but on the other side of the ball as a tight end. A product of Vernon, B.C., Ben led the Panthers with 537 receiving yards in his Grade 12 season along with four touchdowns.

WR Edgerrin Williams is a three-time city all-star in his native Hamilton, Ont. The wide receiver is also a former high school rookie of the year and an offensive player of the year and helped the St. Thomas More Knights win five straight city championships.

TE Lucas Robertson joins the blue and gold having spent his Grade 12 season at St. Pius X High School in Houston, Texas. A year prior, the Edmonton, Alta., native led his Jasper Place High School team with 487 yards and 30 catches.

Key losses:

QB Michael O’Connor’s advancement to the CFL marks a new era for the Thunderbirds, leaving UBC with a 61 total touchdowns and 9,990 yards passing, the second-highest Canada West total in history. The Orleans, Ont., native was taken 20^th overall by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2019 CFL Draft, the second-highest selected quarterback of all time.

RB Ben Cummings finished 2018 as the Thunderbirds’ leading rusher with 327 yards in seven regular season games. The five-year T-Bird added another 148 yards receiving for 492 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.

DEFENCE

Key returning players:

LB Ben Hladik is back for a third season with the Thunderbirds. Named a First Team All-Canadian in 2018, the Vernon, B.C., product finished last year with 49.5 tackles, the second-highest total in Canada West. Hladik also amassed three sacks and a conference leading three fumble recoveries and also won the 2018 Canada West Outstanding Defensive Player award.

DL Tom Schnitzler tied for the team lead in sacks in 2018 with three along with a forced fumble, three pass breakups and 17.5 total tackles.

DB Jaxon Ciraolo-Brown had 25 solo tackles as a rookie in 2018, the second highest total on the team. The Hamilton, Ont., product produced 31 total tackles last season and an interception.

Key recruits or transfers:

DB Christophe Bouchard is a transfer from Laval who adds a big punch to UBC’s secondary. The Quebec City native played for team Canada at the 2015 U19 International Bowl and won the 2016 RSEQ Division 1 Bol D’Or championship with Notre-Dame du CNDF.

DL Kyle Samson was one of the most highly sought after defensive recruits in the country in 2019. From Hamilton, Ont., Samson adds some serious size with his 6-foot-3, 260 pound frame. In 2018, he won a Fox 40 award for his efforts on the field and in the classroom.

DE Aiden Bertuzzi comes to the Point Grey campus after a stellar Grade 12 season with Victoria’s Mount Douglas Rams. Bertuzzi amassed 23 tackles and two sacks in seven games and was named a provincial All-Star as well as a Second team All-Canadian.

Key losses:

DL Connor Griffiths was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 25^th overall in the 2019 CFL Draft. The Langley, B.C., native was named a Canada West All-Star for the second straight season. Despite missing two regular season games due to injury, Griffiths was credited with 8.5 tackles and a fumble recovery.

DL Sheriden Lawley transferred to UBC for 2018 after playing three seasons with the University of Connecticut Huskies where he had 13 total tackles in his junior year. In four games with the T-Birds, Lawley had three sacks and 12 total tackles.

DB Stavros Katsantonis was named a First Team All-Canadian for the third straight season in 2018. He tied the Canada West interceptions lead with three while averaging 4.1 tackles per game.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players:

WR Kene Ezekeke averaged nearly 17 yards per kick return in 2018 for a total of 116 return yards.

WR Jacob Patten was a punt return specialist for the T-Birds last season with a total of 154 yards, an average of over nine yards per return. The Stoney Creek, Ont., native was also a perfect 3/3 kicking converts.

Key losses:

K/P Greg Hutchins signed with the Edmonton Eskimos this summer following three seasons at UBC. Hutchins was successful on 82 percent of field goal attempts in 2018, the second highest rate in the conference and was a perfect 14/14 on converts.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Name: Ben Hladik

University: UBC

Hometown: Vernon, B.C.

High school / Cegep: Vernon Secondary

Position: Linebacker

Academic program: Arts

Year of eligibility: 3

Height: 6-4

Weight: 235

Key stats from 2018: 49.5 tackles, second highest in Canada West. Three sacks, tied for team lead. Three fumble recoveries, most in conference.

Awards & honours (since start of U SPORTS career): 2018 Canada West Outstanding Defensive Player, first team All-Canadian.

PROFILE

Ben Hladik is back for a third season with the Thunderbirds. Named a First Team All-Canadian in 2018, the Vernon, B.C., product finished last year with 49.5 tackles, the second-highest total in Canada West. Hladik also amassed three sacks and a conference leading three fumble recoveries and also won the 2018 Canada West Outstanding Defensive Player award.

Calgary Dinos

2018 regular season record: 8-0
2018 regular season standings: 1^st in Canada West
2018 playoff record: 1-1
2018 playoff finish: Lost 43-18 to Saskatchewan in Hardy Cup

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General Write-Up:

It has been a long off-season in Calgary.

After a season for the history books – an undefeated 8-0 record highlighted by stellar play on offence, including the Hec Crighton winner and a new U SPORTS single-season passing record – the University of Calgary Dinos’ 2018 campaign was unceremoniously snuffed out by the Saskatchewan Huskies in the 82^nd Hardy Cup last November at McMahon Stadium. The bitter taste of that defeat has stuck with the Dinos throughout the off-season.

The Dinos will get the chance to finally put that game behind them when they step on the field for real Friday night as they visit the Alberta Golden Bears to open the 2019 Canada West football season.

Perhaps lost in the 2018 season’s end was just how impressive the season had been to that point. With one of the youngest lineups in Canada, the Dinos averaged better than 42 points per game and racked up more than 4,500 offensive yards in eight contests, all while allowing just 17 points per outing. Five Dinos were crowned First Team All-Canadians, led by Hec Crighton winner Adam Sinagra at quarterback, with Calgary picking up 11 of the 27 positions available on the Canada West all-star team.

With a couple exceptions on defence, the entire group is back, a year older and more experienced, ready to take the next step.

The road starts in Edmonton, with the home opener set for Sept. 6 against Manitoba.

Quote from head coach: Wayne Harris, Jr.

"On the offence we hope that we'll be able to pick up where we left off. There are some key guys that we have brought in that we expect to compete to play right away, and we hope that a few of the guys that didn't start last year will challenge for some of those starting roles. It's exciting to see them get back on the field, and we're looking forward to a lot of production out of our offence.

"We were a very young team last year, and hopefully it's a learning experience for a young group of people that were really excelling above what our expectations were. Hopefully they've learned from that, that the playoffs are a whole new game, you need to be big and strong and fast in this conference to get out of it, and it doesn't get any easier after that."

Head Coach: Wayne Harris, Jr.

Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2019): 5
Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2019): 5
Career regular season record with team: 29-3 (.906)
Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 29-3 (.906)
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 36-7 (.837)
Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 36-7 (.837)

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters: 11

Key returning players:

QB Adam Sinagra is the reigning Hec Crighton winner after a 2018 season where he tossed for 3,233 yards, the U SPORTS single-season record. Sinagra had a busy off-season as the Canada West nominee for the Lieutenant Governor Athletic Award, starting QB for the victorious West squad at the East-West Bowl in Ottawa, and a second straight trip to a CFL training camp, this time with the Edmonton Eskimos.

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RB Jeshrun Antwi is back for his fifth season as the feature tailback in the Calgary offence. Antwi was drafted in the 5^th round by the Montreal Alouettes in the 2019 CFL Draft.

R Hunter Karl is also a returning draft pick, rejoining the Dinos after attending the Edmonton Eskimos’ training camp in the offseason. A returning first team All-Canadian, Karl led Canada West in receiving yards a year ago.

R Twins Tyson & Jalen Philpot will take on significant roles in their sophomore seasons. Tyson was the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year in 2018, finishing seventh in U SPORTS with 741 yards in his freshman campaign, while Jalen had 18 receptions for 323 yards and six TDs as a rookie.

Key recruits or transfers:

OC Pat Sheahan joins the Dinos as offensive coordinator after a legendary career as head coach at both Queen’s and Concordia. Sheahan replaces his son Ryan, who was hired as Guelph’s head coach over the winter.

R Payton Burbank out of Foothills Composite in Okotoks – the same school that produced Hunter Karl – has impressed throughout camp and should see game action as a freshman.

OL John Bosse redshirted in 2018 and will move to the active roster along the offensive line.

Key losses:

R Tyler Ledwos

OL Tristan Rice

R Justin Julien

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 7

Key returning players:

LB Nick Statz returns for a fifth season after being drafted by and attending the training camp of the Calgary Stampeders in the off-season.

DB Deane Leonard had a breakout year in 2018, earning first-team All-Canadian status as a sophomore cornerback.

DB Matthew Lucyshyn returns at free safety after jointly leading the Dinos with Leonard in interceptions last season.

Key recruits or transfers:

DL J-Min Pelley, DL Hayden Nellis, and DB Andrew Ricard bring experience to shore up the defence. All three make the transition from junior football, with Nellis and Ricard coming from the Winnipeg Rifles while Pelley plied his trade with the Okanagan Sun.

DB Patrick Pankow transfers west from the University of Toronto and will be part of the NFL-funded concussion research study ongoing at UCalgary’s Faculty of Kinesiology as a graduate student.

Key losses:

DL Joel Van Pelt

LB Boston Rowe

DB Aaron Statz

LB Blake Gau

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players:

P/K Niko DiFonte

Key recruits or transfers:

LS Chaz Marshall

Key losses:

RET Justin Julien

PLAYER TO WATCH

Name: Hunter Karl

University: Calgary

Hometown: Okotoks, Alta.

High school / Cegep: Foothills Composite HS

Position: Receiver

Academic program: Arts

Year of eligibility: 5

Height: 6-1

Weight: 185

Key stats from 2018: 47 receptions, 937 yards, 6 TDs

Awards & honours (since start of U SPORTS career): 2018 First Team All-Canadian; 7^th round (59^th overall) selection of the Edmonton Eskimos in the 2019 CFL Draft

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PROFILE

Hunter Karl could etch his name in the record books as he returns for his fifth U SPORTS football season.

A 2019 draft pick of the Edmonton Eskimos, Karl enters his final season with 2,286 career receiving yards and 134 career receptions – good for second and third, respectively, on the Dinos’ all-time lists. He trails only 1995 Hec Crighton winner Don Blair on the receiving yards list, needing just 325 more to take over top spot. He trails only Blair’s 138 and Chris Dobko’s 155 in career receptions as well, and has a solid chance of taking both those titles in 2019. And, if he puts up numbers like he did in 2018, he could take the Canada West all-time receiving yards crown currently held by Mitch Hillis of Saskatchewan (2,961).

A returning First Team All-Canadian, Karl led Canada West and was second in the nation with 937 receiving yards in 2018 as the favourite target of Hec Crighton-winning quarterback Adam Sinagra, and the two will team up for one last season together in 2019 as part of a potent offensive group that returns largely intact from its impressive 2018 campaign.

Manitoba Bisons

2018 regular season record: 3-5
2018 regular season standings: 4^th in Canada West
2017 playoff record: 0-1
2017 playoff finish: Lost 37-13 to Calgary in conference semifinal

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General Write-Up:

With plenty of depth at running back, an experienced pivot and three CFL draft picks on the defensive line, the Manitoba Bisons have high expectations for the 2019 U SPORTS season.

A 12-9 exhibition victory over Regina showcased exactly what Manitoba is capable of, especially on defence, where they registered five sacks, all coming from the defensive line.

Quote from head coach: “We have to have that all the time for our defensive line, because they’re that good,” Bisons head coach Brian Dobie says.

“Our defensive line is one of the best groups in the country and I totally believe that. We need to take advantage of that depth and they need to keep flying around.”

Head Coach: Brian Dobie

Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2019): 24 seasons
Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2019): 24 seasons
Career regular season record with team: 91-89-1
Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 91-89-1
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 103-100-1
Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 103-100-1

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters : 4

Key returning players:

QB Des Catellier - Des Catellier is the Bisons' man. It’s been that way ever since Sept. 23, 2017, when he helped lead the team to an 18-16 road upset of Noah Picton and the nationally-ranked Regina Rams.

Since then, he’s calmly cemented himself as one of the most efficient signal-callers in program history. His numbers don’t lie, as he currently holds the school record for completion percentage, at 62.6 while tossing for 3,154 yards and 23 touchdowns over the past two years.

REC Macho Bockru - Fourth-year wideout Macho Bockru leads the charge at receiver. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound East-West Bowl invite had a breakout 2018, finishing in the top 10 in the conference in receptions (32), yards (523), yards per game (65.4) and yards per catch average (16.3).

He’ll be one of Manitoba’s go-to players in the deep passing game and “likely one of the best in the country” according to his head coach.

RB Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette - Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette is back, a year after finishing third in the conference in yards per carry average, at 9.3. The speedster is also a threat in the return game and gives Manitoba a nice complement to the power game of former Saskatoon Hilltop Logan Fischer and 6-foot-3, 215-pound returning player Brandon O’Connor.

Key recruits or transfers:

RB Logan Fischer - Logan Fischer is a four-time Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) national champion who’s also been to Roughriders camp in the past.

The 2019 commit’s combination of speed and power at 6-fioot-1 and 210 pounds was on full display this past Wednesday in exhibition play against Regina, where he ran the rock six times for 60 yards in just one half of work.

RB Michael Ritchott - Fellow impact recruit Mike Ritchott is another guy who can bust off a big play at any time, either as a back or returner. He had 169 all-purpose yards against the Rams, including a 54-yard kickoff return.

QB Jackson Tachinski – Tachinski was the Winnipeg High School Football League Division 1 Co-Offensive Player of the Year last season and is poised and confident in the pocket. He’s got solid size at well over six feet and is Manitoba’s quarterback of the future.

Key losses:

RB Jamel Lyles

REC Shai Ross

REC Dylan Schrot

OL Zack Williams

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 8

Key returning players:

DE Derek Dufault – Dufault is a 2019 CFL draft pick of the Hamilton Tiger Cats and returns for his final season of eligibility. He led the team in sacks a year ago and is also one of the Bisons’ best run stoppers.

DE Brock Gowanlock – Fourth-year East-West Bowl standout Brock Gowanlock is arguably Manitoba’s fastest pass rusher and is freakishly athletic for his size at over 220 pounds. He has great range on run plays and will be a favourite to get drafted next year.

DB Shae Weekes – Shae Weekes enters his third straight year as a starter at halfback and is one of Manitoba’s leaders defensively. He’s incredibly physical, has great cover abilities and is also one of the two fastest guys on the team, as evidenced by his participation on the track and field team in 2018.

DB Arjay Shelley – Another multiple-year starter, cornerback Arjay Shelley is a matchup nightmare due to his 6-4 frame. He has the ability to change games with his size and is particularly hard to line up against in the red zone.

Key recruits or transfers:

DB Austin Balan – Rookie safety Austin Balan is the favourite to start as a true freshman following the graduation of Jayden McKoy. He knows the base of the playbook from his time on the U18 team a year ago and does all the little things right.

LB Vince Schiffner – An impact recruit from the Edmonton Huskies, Vince Schiffner adds valuable size, intelligence and physicality to the linebacker position. He was a key reason why the Huskies were perennial playoff contenders in the Prairie Football Conference in 2017 and 2018.

DB Liam Haime – Haime returns from UBC where he was a part of the T-Birds national championship team. A local product, he’s a valuable special teams cover man but is also a physical option at slotback or running back.

Key losses:

FS Jayden McKoy

LB Houston Rennie

CB Marcel Arruda-Welch

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players: Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette, Shae Weekes.

Key recruits or transfers: Mike Ritchott

Key losses: Jamel Lyles, Marcel Arruda-Welch

PLAYER TO WATCH

Name: Des Catellier

University: Manitoba

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.

High school / Cegep: St. Francis High School

Position: Quarterback

Academic program: Kinesiology & Recreation Management

Year of eligibility: 4

Height: 6-3

Weight: 200

Key stats from 2018: 287.4 YPG (4^th in CW), 16 touchdowns (T-2^nd in CW), 65.9 per cent completion percentage (best season in school history > 50 attempts)

Awards & honours (since start of U SPORTS career): 2019 East-West Bowl selection

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PROFILE

After battling for his spot at this time last season, there’s no doubt now that fourth-year Bisons quarterback Des Catellier has earned his stripes as the day one starter for Manitoba as he heads into his CFL draft year.

He was one of the conference’s most prolific pivots last season, throwing for 287.4 yards per game (4th in CW) and 16 touchdowns (T-2nd in CW). He was also efficient in putting up those numbers, with a completion percentage of 65.9 per cent on 229 attempts — marking a new Bisons season record for players with at least 50 attempts.

Catellier started seven of eight games for Manitoba and was one of four Bisons named to the 2019 U SPORTS East-West Bowl in Ottawa, throwing for a touchdown in the game. He’s continuing studies in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management in 2019.

Regina Rams

2018 regular season record: 1-7
2018 regular season standings: 6^th, Canada West
2018 playoff record: Did not qualify

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General Write-Up:

It’ll be a new look for the Rams on both sides of the ball this year as there’s significant departures on both the offence and the defence. The offence loses six starters – including quarterback Noah Picton and Atlee Simon – while the defence loses five starting players from last season, three of which come at linebacker as Cole Benkic, Layne Hull, and Danny Nesbitt have all graduated.

Taking the reins of the offence will be first-year quarterback Josh Donnelly, who redshirted last year but got an introduction to U SPORTS football when he started the team’s Week 7 road game against Canada West regular season champion Calgary. Donnelly will have the benefit of four returning starters at receiver, while the offensive line brings back starters Andrew Becker and Theren Churchill at right guard and right tackle.

The defensive backfield returns all five starters from last season, but the team will look completely different at both linebacker and defensive line. Look for Josh White, Ryder Varga, and newcomer Cody Peters to step into featured roles at linebacker, while the defensive line will bring back veterans Matt Moore and Eric Wicijowski to join a plethora of incoming talent. Among the new names on the line will be Brandon McKimmon, who had a fantastic start to training camp and will likely find a spot at defensive end for the Rams.

Quote from head coach: Steve Bryce

“Overall, we’re excited about this upcoming year. We have a very youthful core of talent, with the likes of Ryder Varga, Josh White, Jaxon Ford, and Bennett Stusek emerging as young leaders. They’ve all completed an outstanding offseason and have positioned themselves to have a fantastic 2019 season.”

Head Coach: Steve Bryce

Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2019): 4
Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2019): 4
Career regular season record with team: 11-13
Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 11-13
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 11-15
Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 11-15

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters: 5

Key returning players:

OL Andrew Becker returns for his third season of eligibility with the Rams. Considered a prospect for next spring’s CFL Draft, Becker has played 17 games and started 15 of them since arriving at the U of R prior to the 2016 season. He spent his first year at left guard, but has since found a home at right guard and is expected to again start there for the Rams this season.

Like Becker, OL Theren Churchill is also a prospect for the 2020 CFL Draft. Since coming to the U of R from the Edmonton Huskies junior program, Churchill has started every single game at right tackle for the Rams. He’ll again play at right tackle this year on a line that will feature three new starters as Matt Degelman and Bryan Robinson have both graduated and Roe Borgmann is expected to miss at least the start of the season due to injury.

SB Kyle Moortgat is one of four returning starters at the receiver position for the Rams. He’s had over 400 receiving yards in both of the past two seasons, catching 36 passes for a career-best total of 486 yards last year.

SB Ryan Schienbein will come into his final U SPORTS season with a legitimate shot at breaking the U of R’s all-time records in both career pass receptions and receiving yards. His total of 157 catches already ranks fifth in school history and is 34 short of Jared Janotta’s record total of 191, while he’s sixth in the U of R record book with 2016 career receiving yards and needs 563 more to match Janotta’s record of 2579 yards. Schienbein is also fifth in school history with 16 career touchdown receptions, eight behind Mitchell Picton’s school record of 24.

Key recruits or transfers:

RB Odun Ogidan comes to the Rams for what will be his first and only season of U SPORTS eligibility. Ogidan played four seasons for the Winnipeg Rifles, and is very much in the mix to get playing time for the U of R at a running back position that was wide open entering training camp.

OL Derek Walde was an All-Canadian last year with the Kamloops Broncos and joins the Rams with three seasons of U SPORTS football to play. Walde played both centre and guard with the Broncos and comes to the program just as the Rams lose three

Key losses: WR Kris Calcutt, OL Matt Degelman, QB Noah Picton, OL Bryan Robinson, RB Atlee Simon.

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 6

Key returning players:

DB Brandon Brooks was sensational in his first year of U SPORTS football, starting all eight games at cornerback for the Rams. He was credited with an interception and two pass breakups during conference play and is expected to again be a premier player for the U of R at the boundary corner position.

DB Cord Delinte is now in his fourth and final season with the Rams, and has been the team’s starting safety since midway through his first year with the program. He’ll anchor what’s expected to be a strong Rams defensive backfield which returns all five of its starters from last year. In 2018, Delinte tied for the team lead with two interceptions and finished second on the team in tackles during Canada West play.

LB Robbie Lowes is the team’s only returning starting linebacker from last season. He started all eight games at sam linebacker in 2018, finishing fourth on the team in tackles (27 solo, 8 assisted) and tying for the team lead with 4.5 tackles for loss.

DL Eric Wicijowski is the team’s most experienced returning lineman and the only Rams player at this position in his fifth season of U SPORTS eligibility. Wicijowski is already a three-year starter on the defensive line and has registered 58 tackles, five sacks, five pass knockdowns, a fumble recovery, and – yes – a touchdown reception over his lengthy University of Regina career.

Key recruits or transfers:

DL Cameron Cross comes to the U of R from the Langley Rams, the same junior program that produced former Rams All-Canadian lineman Stefan Charles. Cross registered 23.5 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble last year with Langley and comes to the Rams with two years to play at the U SPORTS level.

DL Garth Knittig is one of three newcomers to the Rams from the Saskatoon Hilltops program. Knittig is very much in contention for the starting job at nose tackle, and at the very least is expected to feature heavily in the rotation on the line for the Rams.

DL Brandon McKimmon comes to the Rams program with Canada West experience, having played a total of six games for the University of Saskatchewan during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. McKimmon had a torrid start to training camp and is battling for the starting position at defensive end.

LB Cody Peters also comes to the Rams from the Saskatoon Hilltops, and it’s at the perfect time as the Rams graduate three of their starting four linebackers from last season. Peters won five CJFL national championships with the Hilltops and could step right in as a starter at the mac linebacker position.

Key losses: LB Cole Benkic, LB Layne Hull, DL Grey McKen, LB Danny Nesbitt, DL Tanner Schmekel, DL Ryan Warner.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players:

K Aldo Galvan immediately emerged as the team’s primary punter and placekicker last year in his first season with the program. He was 17-for-24 on field goals, averaged 35.4 yards per punt, and was a perfect 20-for-20 on extra points for the Rams.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Name: Ryan Schienbein

University: Regina

Hometown: Regina, Sask.

High school / Cegep: Balfour Collegiate

Position: Slotback

Academic program: Kinesiology & Health Studies

Year of eligibility: 5

Height: 5-10

Weight: 180

Key stats from 2018: 60 catches, 712 yards, 5 touchdowns in 2018

Awards & honours (since start of U SPORTS career): Four-time Academic All-Canadian, Canada West all-star in 2016

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PROFILE

Coming off a record-breaking year in which he set a new University of Regina single-season mark with 60 receptions, fifth-year slotback Ryan Schienbein enters his final U SPORTS season with a legitimate shot at becoming the U of R’s all-time leader in several categories.

His total of 157 catches already ranks fifth in school history and is 34 short of Jared Janotta’s record total of 191, while he’s sixth in the U of R record book with 2016 career receiving yards and needs 563 more to match Janotta’s record of 2579 yards. Schienbein is also fifth in school history with 16 career touchdown receptions, eight behind Mitchell Picton’s school record of 24.

And he’s also been stellar off the field. Schienbein, a human kinetics major within the U of R’s Faculty of Kinesiology & Health Studies, has earned Academic All-Canadian status in each of his first four seasons with the Rams.

Saskatchewan Huskies

2018 regular season record: 5-3
2018 regular season standings: 3rd in Canada West
2018 playoff record: 2-1
2018 playoff finish: Won Hardy Cup, lost to Western Mustangs in Mitchell Bowl

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General Write-Up:

After being ranked in the bottom of the Canada West pre-season coaches’ poll, the 2018 University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team went from zeroes to heroes. The Huskies entered the postseason on the backs of two-game winning streak and stayed hot as they defeated the UBC Thunderbirds in overtime to advance to the Hardy Cup. From there, the Huskies did the unthinkable and took down the previously undefeated Calgary Dinos to win their first conference championship since 2006 in only the second season of Scott Flory’s tenure as head coach of the program.

After falling in the Mitchell Bowl to the OUA champion Western Mustangs, the Huskies said goodbye to fifth-year standouts Kyle Siemens, Tyler Chow and Tristian Koronkweicz, as the program will usher in a new era of Huskie football led by third year quarterback Mason Nyhus. Saskatchewan enters the season not only looking to get back to their second consecutive Hardy Cup, but also with legitimate Vanier Cup aspirations.

Quote from head coach: Scott Flory

“We are going to be dynamic, the community can expect a fast team. Lots of speed, that’s been the focus in the offseason. We want to be able to play at a faster pace than anybody else, but still have the toughness and physicality that are the staples of Huskie football.”

Head Coach: Scott Flory

Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2019): 3rd season
Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2019): 3rd season
Career regular season record with team: 7-9
Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 7-9
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 9-10
Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 9-10

OFFENCE

Key returning players:

After moving from the backfield to the receiving corps, Colton Klassen emerged as a star in 2018 for the Huskies. Klassen, who participated in the 2019 U SPPRTS East-West Bowl after being named a 2019 Canada West All-Star, had a coming-out party on the national stage in the 2018 Mitchell Bowl against the Western Mustangs as he racked up nine receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The fourth-year Saskatoon native plays with a chip on his shoulder and will surely be motivated to help lead his hometown school back to a national bowl game once again this season.

OL Mattland Riley played a vital role in the Huskies ground game last season, as he helped pave the way for Tyler Chow, Adam Machart and company last season. Riley participated in the 2019 East-West Bowl over the offseason after a standout campaign which seen him recognized on both the conference and national level.

Running back Adam Machart will be looking to build upon his impressive U SPORTS rookie campaign, as he enters his second season with the Huskies. Machart ran for 367 yards and three touchdowns on 73 carries, to go along with 13 receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown.

Key recruits or transfers:

Josh Ewanchyna will move to the U SPORTS ranks after spending the past three seasons with the Saskatoon Hilltops of the CJFL. Ewanchyna is a Saskatoon native, who will immediately become a part of a talented backfield which includes fellow former Hilltop Adam Machart. In 10 games last season, Ewanchyna racked up 1,572 yards, which included a 245-yard performance in the national championship game in a win over the Kamloops. Ewanchyna, who won three national championships with the Hilltops, joins a program with championship aspirations of their own as the Huskies enter the season searching for their first Vanier Cup appearance since 2006.

Kalin Betts has long term potential along the line with a 6-foot-4 295-pound frame. The Lethbridge, Alta., native will be able to learn under the tutelage of Scott Flory. Flory, a former all-star CFL lineman, will look to coach up the promising linemen, who figures to play a significant role on the Huskies offense in the coming year.

Key losses:

Kyle Siemens graduates the program after a tremendous five-year career, which seen the Saskatoon native start for parts of four seasons for the Huskies. In his final season, Siemens threw for 2,860 yards and 20 touchdowns and helped lead the team to their first postseason win since 2009 as he engineered a masterful final drive to send the Canada West semifinal into overtime. One week later, the pivot followed up the victory with a Hardy Cup trophy after leading the Huskies past the previously undefeated Calgary Dinos, which delivered a fitting ending to a terrific career for the quarterback. Siemens has spent the last three of those seasons aiding the incumbent Mason Nyhus, who will finally get his much-awaited opportunity to become this programs starter under center.

Tyler Chow was a workhorse for the Huskies all season long in his fifth year with the program, which saw him be named a First Team All-Canadian for the second time in his career. Chow went out with a bang, as in his final three games in the Huskies uniform he racked up 454 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 66 carries. The Calgary, Alta., native’s ability to run in between and outside of the tackles throughout the postseason was instrumental in the Huskies success last season. Chow will go down as one of the most talented rushers the Huskies program has ever seen.

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 10

Key returning players:

After being named the Huskies Football Rookie of the Year in 2017, Nelson Lokombo took Canada West quarterbacks and offensive coordinators alike by storm in Week 1 of 2018 when he recorded two interceptions against the Alberta Golden Bears. Lokombo, whose older brother Boseko spent time on the Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers practice rosters, has football in his bloodlines. A disruptive ballhawk in the secondary, Lokombo will be a player to watch for the Huskies in 2019.

Ben Whiting is the heart and soul of the Huskies defense and will be counted on to once again lead the defensive unit in the middle of the field. The Montreal Alouettes selected whiting in the seventh round, 57th overall in the 2019 CFL Draft and spent time in training camp with the team this summer. The fifth-year linebacker will get one last run at a Vanier Cup run when the season gets underway this September.

A fellow fifth-year, Evan Machibroda, will be counted on along the defensive line after the group sees Tristian Koronkweicz depart after five seasons with the program. Machibroda, an Engineering student, was selected in the fifth round, 41st overall by the Edmonton Eskimos, after being named a First Team All-Canadian last season. Machibroda had a coming-out party against Western in the Mitchell Bowl where he was a disruptive force all game long, delivering multiple bone-crushing hits on Mustangs quarterback Chris Merchant. The 6-foot-3, 280 pound Saskatoon product will be aiming to improve on his impressive six-sack, 31 total tackle season in 2018.

Key recruits or transfers:

Nicholas Dheilly is back in Canada West after spending the season in the CJFL with the Okanagan Sun. Prior to the Sun, Dheilly starred for two seasons with his hometown Regina Rams, where he was named the 2016 Canada West Rookie of the Year after registering 34 total tackles and three sacks. In 2017, he was named a 2017 Canada West All-Star after finishing second in the Canada West in sacks with 6.5. The Regina, Sask., native figures to form a tantalizing duo along the line with Evan Machibroda in 2019.

After two national championship campaign with the Saskatoon Hilltops, Connor Delahey will join a strong defense which also features former Hilltop linemen Riley Pickett, who came over to the Dogs before last season. Delahey, who attended Bishop James Mahoney in Saskatoon, will stay close to home as he advances into the U SPORTS ranks.

Ramsey Derbas made the decision to sign close to home with the Huskies, and now, the blue-chip recruit figures to play a role immediately on the defensive side of the ball for the Dogs. Derbas, a 6-foot-1 210-pound linebacker, was named the top defensive player at the 2018 Canada Cup where he suited up for Team Saskatchewan. The first-year Holy Cross product is versatile in coverage and against the run and enters the program as one of the most highly touted defensive recruits in the country.

Key losses:

Defensive linemen Tristian Koronkiewicz is a significant loss for the Huskies on the defensive side of the ball after registering 42 total tackles, 9.5 of which were for a loss, to go along with nine sacks in 2018 which saw the Regina, Sask., product be named a Canada West all-star. Koronkiewicz’s scoop-and-score late in the fourth quarter of week seven of the 2018 Canada West season against the Manitoba Bisons punched the Huskies ticket back to the postseason, which delivered a memorable highlight for the fifth-year in his final game at Griffiths Stadium. Koronkiewicz’s ability to stop the run and hit home on the pass rush will be missed by the Huskies in 2019.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key recruits or transfers:

David Solie, who was a member of the Huskies for the 2017 season, returns after a year with the Saskatoon Hilltops, where he was a part of a national championship run. Solie starred as a kicker for the Hilltops, before previously representing Team Saskatchewan at the 2015 and 2016 Canada Cup. Solie is no stranger to the big stage as he starred for U-19 Team Canada at the 2018 International Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where he took on Team USA at AT&T Stadium. Solie’s big-game experience will be counted upon by Scott Flory as the rookie career will attempt to step in for now-departed Sean Stenger.

Key losses:

A former First Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star Sean Stenger departs the program after a sensational career which saw him become the Huskies all-time points leader. Stenger’s clutch performance in the Canada West semifinal helped power the Huskies to the Hardy Cup, as he converted of three of four field goals, including a 38-yard attempt in overtime to take down the Thunderbirds. Stenger’s consistency, both punting and kicking, will be missed after five years with the program.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Name: Mason Nyhus

University: Saskatchewan

Hometown: Regina, Sask.

High school: Michael A. Riffel

Position: Quarterback

Academic program: Business

Year of eligibility: 3

Height: 6-1

Weight: 190

Key stats from 2018: 448 passing yards and three touchdowns

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PROFILE

After spending the past three seasons learning under the tutelage of graduating pivot Kyle Siemens, Mason Nyhus will get his chance to make the program his own in 2019. Nyhus will make his first career start in the green and white on Aug. 30, when the Huskies travel to Winnipeg to take on the Manitoba Bisons in their season opener. Nyhus, who has been a part of the CFL Canadian Quarterback Internship Program for the past two seasons, will aim to lead the Huskies back to the Hardy Cup this fall.

Men’s Football