Old rivals clash Friday in Edmonton

CALGARY – Fresh off a thrilling win over Manitoba, the Calgary Dinos football team hits the road for the first time this season for a Friday night tilt against provincial rivals Alberta. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Foote Field.

HEADLINES

• The Dinos picked up their first win of the season last weekend with a 15-14 victory over Manitoba. Calgary erased a 7-0 halftime deficit and led 15-8 late before successfully stopping Manitoba's two-point convert attempt with 35 seconds left to claim the win.
• Alberta enters the week at 0-2 following a 47-23 loss at Regina last Friday. The Golden Bears kept things close the majority of the way, but the Rams' ground game and a late 109-yard pick six saw Regina pull away down the stretch.
• This Friday's contest will be the second in a row for the Dinos against a first-year head coach, as Stevenson Bone was named the 29th head coach in Alberta history back in January.
• Last year, the Dinos and Golden Bears met just one time - a 36-22 Calgary win in Edmonton. Alberta scored the first nine points in that one only to see the Dinos score on three interceptions returned for touchdowns to lead 30-12 at the half and never look back.
• The two teams did meet for a non-conference battle in Red Deer back on Aug. 18. The Dinos won that one 45-13.
• Calgary has now won 11 in a row in Edmonton - last falling short back on Oct. 25, 2008.
• The two rivals will meet again to close the 2025 regular season, Oct. 25 in Calgary.

Calgary Dinos (1-1)
Next week: at UBC

• One week after giving up 43 points in overtime of the season opener, the Dinos defence responded in a big way - limiting last year's top-scoring offence in Manitoba to just 14 points all game.
• A big part of Calgary's defensive success last Friday came at the hands of their defensive line. The Dinos were able to bring Bisons' QB Jackson Tachinski to the ground four times - with two coming at the hands of rookie Crown Otoro. The four sacks are the most for Calgary in a game since bringing down UBC's quarterback five times in a 53-14 win over UBC back on Oct. 30, 2021.
• Friday was also a big day for the Dinos O-line. Matthieu Clarke - one of the premier backs in the conference - started the game with nine carries for 47 yards before leaving with an injury. Rookie backup Eri Olarubofin came in and impressed with 56 yards on eight attempts.
• It was a strong start to the season for Dinos receiver Matt Sibley. The fourth-year local product hauled in a team-high eight catches for a career-best 132 yards and two touchdowns in the opener. Sibley followed that up with six catches for 62 yards - both team highs - and helped set up the Dinos' lone major of the game. Through the first two weeks, he ranks third in Canada West in receiving yards per game and is tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns.
• The Dinos continue their stretch of four road games in five weeks with a trip to Vancouver to take on UBC next Friday at 7 p.m. MT.

Alberta Golden Bears (0-2)
Next week: at Manitoba

• Alberta is looking for win No. 1 for first-year head coach Stevenson Bone after an 0-2 start. Bone is a former quarterback at Western and joined the UofA after spending the three previous seasons as the UBC offensive coordinator.
• Despite the 0-2 start, the Golden Bears' offence has had plenty to hang their hat on, ranking third in Canada West in yards/game (426.5).
• Up next, the Bears are back on the road for a Saturday showdown with Manitoba in Winnipeg.