By Jon Roe
The University of Alberta Golden Bears spoiled the University of Calgary’s 40th anniversary kick-off by stealing a two point victory from the Dinos football team with four seconds left, beating them 17-15 on Sat., Sept. 9 at McMahon Stadium.
The celebration drew 6,445 fans for the Battle of Alberta, the bulk of them wearing red in support of the Dinos.
Though led again by sensational rookie Dalin Tollestrup, who completed 19 of 31 passes for 279 yards, the offense failed to score a touchdown. The Dinos reached the red zone three times during the game but could not score a major.
Tollestrup threw 1-4 for no gain in plays starting from the red zone.
Freshman Dinos kicker Aaron Ifield provided all the offence with his five field goals on the afternoon. He currently leads Canada West in scoring with 25 points through two games.
“The point is we’re young,” an obviously frustrated coach Blake Nill said after the game. “Dalin is doing all he can to help us out. We need the veterans to step up, and it’s just not happening right now.”
On the ground and through the air the Dinos were led by much improved rookie running back Anthony Woodson who pounded out 52 yards on seven carries and caught six passes for 59 yards. Last week in Vancouver Woodson rushed for a loss of six on four carries.
“The first game I was nervous,” admitted Woodson. “It was my first Canadian Interuniversity Sport football game ever. It’s a lot faster; it’s a lot more technical. The little mistakes cost you big.”
Despite the rookies leading the way on offense, the Dinos were no match for the Bears’ 308 yard effort on the ground, 187 yards of which belonged to running back Tendayi Jozzy.
The Bears had a fairly uneven passing game, forced to use a second quarterback when starter Quade Armstrong threw two interceptions to Calgary fourth-year defensive back Drew Carpenter.
Carpenter caught a league-record-tying third interception
see FOOTBALL, page 28
from replacement QB Cam Linke, but fumbled it after a return of 17 yards, turning the ball back over to the Bears on the Dinos 45 yard line and leading to a Bears 22 yard field goal.
“After that third pick, I fumbled it and they scored three points off it,” said Carpenter. “That’s the difference in the game. I take this loss personally, as much as I hope everybody else does.”
Next week the Dinos play in Winnipeg against the seventh CIS-ranked University of Manitoba Bisons who destroyed the Simon Fraser University Clan on Fri., Sept. 8 in a 77-7 obliteration.
The Bisons currently sit atop Canada West with a perfect 2-0 record, outscoring their opponents 111-31 in the process.
If the Dinos want to have a chance against the Bisons, they’ll have to be better on defense as they’re currently ranked sixth in yards surrendered per game, giving up 834 yards in the first two games.