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championships"},{"term":"2014 Vanier Cup"},{"term":"2017 season"},{"term":"Al Alderson"},{"term":"Announcements"},{"term":"Barry Rawlyk"},{"term":"Basil Hughton"},{"term":"Blue Jays"},{"term":"Bruno Prud'homme"},{"term":"CBC Sports Plus"},{"term":"CCES"},{"term":"CKNW"},{"term":"Calvin Westbrook"},{"term":"Canada WNT"},{"term":"Canadian Interuniversity Sports"},{"term":"Chantal Vallée"},{"term":"Chris Oliver"},{"term":"Dave Preston"},{"term":"Dax Dessureault"},{"term":"Devon Pierre"},{"term":"Dick Mosher"},{"term":"Dissenting Thoughts"},{"term":"Don't You Forget About"},{"term":"Doping"},{"term":"Edmonton CFL Team"},{"term":"Eva Thouvenot"},{"term":"Frank McCrystal"},{"term":"GNAC"},{"term":"Graham Brown"},{"term":"Greg Jockims"},{"term":"Heather Lund"},{"term":"Jacob Doerksen"},{"term":"Jamelle Barrett"},{"term":"Jay Triano"},{"term":"Jeff Giles"},{"term":"John Levy"},{"term":"Jon Lalonde"},{"term":"Josee Belanger"},{"term":"Justin King"},{"term":"Kentucky 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johnson"},{"term":"do not adjust your set"},{"term":"funding"},{"term":"host berths"},{"term":"international basketball"},{"term":"interviews"},{"term":"journalism"},{"term":"mud fights"},{"term":"schedules"},{"term":"technical difficulties"},{"term":"ted goveia"},{"term":"tiering"},{"term":"tragedy"},{"term":"trinity western"},{"term":"trivia"},{"term":"university sport"},{"term":"Étienne Légaré"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The CIS Blog"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"News and notes on U SPORTS - even if we refuse to change our name"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/-\/Dinos?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/search\/label\/Dinos"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/-\/Dinos\/-\/Dinos?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Scott Hastie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08081415078301065374"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"537"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-3102512091169460457"},"published":{"$t":"2017-11-11T15:04:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-11-12T10:31:21.748-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dunsmore Cup"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hardy Cup"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Yates Cup"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Conference Championship Saturday thread: Calgary beats UBC on record 59-yard field goal; Laval beats Montréal, and it's That '70s Show For Western"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The Football Underground featuring \u003Cb\u003ENiko DiFonte\u003C\/b\u003E gave us some drama, and it is an enduring shame that it was so hard for most of the country to view live. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECalgary and Laval will meet in November for the sixth time in the last 10 years, but it almost unraveled spectacularly for each juggernaut. The Dinos gave up the lead to\u003Cb\u003E Michael O'Connor\u003C\/b\u003E and UBC with only 16 seconds left on the clock in the Hardy Cup. But they got in range to give DiFonte a shot from 59 yards away and he made it for a 44-43 win, a Hardy Cup for the Dinos, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003Ea Canadian university football record for the\u0026nbsp;longest field goal\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | DID THAT JUST HAPPEN!!! Niko DiFonte with a 59-yard field goal to win \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HardyCup81?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#HardyCup81\u003C\/a\u003E for the Dinos! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WeAreAllDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#WeAreAllDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/e48NuoQQJ5\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/e48NuoQQJ5\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/929487390476865536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EHere's your winning score from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HardyCup81?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#HardyCup81\u003C\/a\u003E, as the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UCDinos\u003C\/a\u003E earn a thrilling 44-43 win over the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@ubctbirds\u003C\/a\u003E on a 59-yard FG to end the game! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YgZqTgBgPb\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/YgZqTgBgPb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Canada West (@CanadaWest) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CanadaWest\/status\/929486872983699456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ELift that cup, Niko! 🏆 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HardyCup81?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#HardyCup81\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vvzKO3qLiB\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/vvzKO3qLiB\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/929491001709805568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThe agony of da-foot: UBC's season ends after 59-yard field goal dashes Hardy Cup hopes \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IsOtSaoBhR\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/IsOtSaoBhR\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Steve Ewen (@SteveEwen) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SteveEwen\/status\/929532298965299201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EIt made the \u003Ci\u003ESportscenter \u003C\/i\u003ETop 10 ... the American one.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cp lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003EHow good was Niko DiFonte\u0026#39;s 59-yard FG for the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UCDinos\u003C\/a\u003E to claim \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HardyCup81?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#HardyCup81\u003C\/a\u003E? It was \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@espn\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SportsCenter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@SportsCenter\u003C\/a\u003E good. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/d8PB9Hl3dP\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/d8PB9Hl3dP\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026mdash; Canada West (@CanadaWest) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CanadaWest\/status\/929614629751234560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EO'Connor, helped by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EBen Cummings \u003C\/b\u003Edoing some crucial scampering in the rushing phase, merely took UBC 92 yards across 12 plays for a go-ahead TD. That should have done it, but Canadian football has no end to unintended consequences; UBC's deep kickoff carried into the end zone for a single, so Calgary got the ball on its 35 with a slew of time to run two plays.\u0026nbsp;Moments later, elation and dejection.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDiFonte erased a mark set by a Saint Mary's player in a week when powers-that-be were trying to erase Saint Mary's current season. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe former mark of 57 yards had belonged to Saint Mary's \u003Cb\u003EJerry Foster\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;since 1986. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe 59-yarder was also a longer field goal in the Football Bowl Subdivision this season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ECANADA COLLEGE FOOTBALL! 🇨🇦\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENIKO DIFONTE'S GAME WINNING 59 YARD FIELD GOAL IS EVEN BETTER WITH TITANIC MUSIC!!! THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY DINOS WIN THE 81ST HARDY CUP!!! WHAT A KICK!!! (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UCDinos\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E🏈🚢🎶 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HUHqjotLpA\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/HUHqjotLpA\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— 🏈🚢🎶TITANIC TD🏈🚢🎶 (@TitanicTD) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TitanicTD\/status\/929538062442487808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EElsewhere:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ELaval 25, Montréal 22.\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;The Rouge et Or are heading out west to continue their Vanier conquest; they quelled a Carabins comeback in the final 90 seconds after being up two scores for most of the way. Their defence won the day with five sacks and two big takeaways.\u003Cb\u003E Hugo Richard \u003C\/b\u003Eand the offence were balanced (181 rushing, 204 passing) and that provided enough to win.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern 75, Laurier 32.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003ENow did someone stop Western's\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ECedric Joseph \u003C\/b\u003Eto stop running before he made the border crossing? His passport is still sitting on the table.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWestern is once again prompting observers to ponder whether it is this good or the rest of OUA has just had a massive drop-off, setting a Yates Cup record for most points (75) and total points (107).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EErr Acadia might want to let SMU have loney bowl and win just to not see uwo come into their house and smack em. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/iY2Q2VL1EQ\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/iY2Q2VL1EQ\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Jon (@jonathanwhudson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonathanwhudson\/status\/929467913987268608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EI ball-parked the Laurier-Western line at 21 to 24 points, and suffice to say, even that undersold it. Don't make that face. You knew this could happen. Someone looked up the record for points in a Yates Cup to warn you.\u0026nbsp; That result advances the Mustangs to their first national semifinal in the Maritimes since 1995, although that's the only sure thing about it at this writing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Mustangs have scored 66 and 75 points in their playoff games.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd, of course, another title is being decided on the field and in a Halifax courthouse. Saint Mary's gets anoth day in cou\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ECourtroom burst in laughter after Justice Smith says “it must be an important football game with all these lawyers”. In response to AUS lawyer saying “it’s only a football game we’re not curing disease” \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/signalhfx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@signalhfx\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/halifax?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#halifax\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ns?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#ns\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/loneybowl?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#loneybowl\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Tunde Balogun (@kingtundes) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kingtundes\/status\/929486550597099521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ECourt back in session: SMU, AUS \u0026amp; Acadia Lawyer tell Justice Smith that Tuesday must be “drop dead date” to play game \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/loneybowl?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#loneybowl\u003C\/a\u003E. Players need time to rest to play Ontario champions next week \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/signalhfx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@signalhfx\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/n_frew6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@n_frew6\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/halifax?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#halifax\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Novascotia?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Novascotia\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/loneybowl?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#loneybowl\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Tunde Balogun (@kingtundes) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kingtundes\/status\/929505008617492485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EPhillip Currie of AUS has “no comment” when leaving Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Justice Smith, Punts decision until tomorrow 9AM \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/signalhfx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@signalhfx\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/n_frew6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@n_frew6\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/halifax?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#halifax\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Novascotia?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Novascotia\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6VKXAFhexs\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/6VKXAFhexs\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Tunde Balogun (@kingtundes) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kingtundes\/status\/929507836928946177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EBreaking: Justice Smith says “tomorrow night I will like to have decision...I’m really tired. I’ll give yes or no answer tomorrow night” \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/signalhfx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@signalhfx\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/n_frew6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@n_frew6\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/halifax?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#halifax\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Novascotia?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Novascotia\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/loneybowl?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#loneybowl\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Tunde Balogun (@kingtundes) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kingtundes\/status\/929505694524628992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThe courtroom battles continues: Decision will be made on SMU, AUS hearing by Sunday night, says justice Smith \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/smMBU4MA4F\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/smMBU4MA4F\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Tunde Balogun (@kingtundes) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kingtundes\/status\/929518652919091200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENotes on all that below.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQuebec — Dunsmore Cup\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELaval 25, Montréal 22\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EKeep calm and get Caron. \u003C\/i\u003ELines win championships, and Laval's D had five sacks on Montréal's\u003Cb\u003E Sam Caron\u003C\/b\u003E. Defenders\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Mathieu Betts\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Edward Godin\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;both toppled Caron at the most propitious times, right when the U de M was at the lip of the score zone between the 40 and 30-yard line. That entire unit only allowed a touchdown in the final minute.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe offensive line did its best work after Laval took over with 4:20 left, ahead by eight. It o opened sufficiently big enough holes for \u003Cb\u003EVincent Alarie-Tardif \u003C\/b\u003Eto use up almost three minutes and set up a field goal for an all-important 11-point cushion.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Carabins offence came back with its first offensive TD against Laval in more than eight quarters and got both the two-point convert and onside kickoff. But the magic wore off before they could find\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ELouis-Philippe Simoneau\u003C\/b\u003E's field-goal range.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELaval's defence accounted for three first-half points with a strip-sack in the Carabins' zone, while a safety touch resulted from the Carabins compounding a bad-field-position situation with a UR penalty.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003ENo offence, Carabins, but your offence must score too.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003EThe Carabins' scoring in the first 58½ minutes came through a scoop-and-score defensive TD from linebacker \u003Cb\u003EBrian Harelimana\u003C\/b\u003E, a single on the ensuing kickoff and two field goals.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Carabins and\u003Cb\u003E Sam Caron \u003C\/b\u003Efinally had a drive before halftime, but it ended with that conservative-coaching contagion, the fewer than 20-yard field goal (a 16-yarder). You don't win friends with salad, or win with short field goals.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECanada West — Hardy Trophy\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECalgary 44, UBC 43\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBest Hardy since 2016, or ever? \u003C\/i\u003EThe lead changed hands twice in the fourth quarter before changing twice more in the final 16 seconds, and perhaps all that happened was that they ran out of time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat completes a triptych of outstanding playoff games in the last three seasons between Calgary and UBC, with the Dinos having the two most recent wins (44-43 this time, 46-43 in 2016, after a 34-26 loss in 2015). The close call should be emboldening, since Calgary surely must know it tempted fate by settling for field goals (DiFonte was 6-of-8, and also had two kickoff singles for a 23-point day) when touchdowns would have wiped out UBC.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HardyCup81?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#HardyCup81\u003C\/a\u003E RECAPS\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPOSTGAME: Ice in his veins, DiFonte kicks record 59-yard FG\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/F9QMddrLge\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/F9QMddrLge\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETHAT 4th QTR: Four lead changes set up epic finish\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nL3ZOHo8tB\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/nL3ZOHo8tB\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WeAreAllDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#WeAreAllDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CWplayoffs?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#CWplayoffs\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/arQIWIBi27\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/arQIWIBi27\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/929521015494815744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDifferent breed.\u003C\/i\u003E The main talking point with the Dinos involves the change in offensive opponent. O'Connor and UBC are a passing team. Laval always has a massive front line and\u0026nbsp;Richard\u0026nbsp; has the read-option in his repertoire. It's not a great look on the part of Calgary that UBC had 479 yards despite having the ball for fewer than\u0026nbsp;23 minutes.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003ESecond crack at Laval. \u003C\/i\u003EAdam Sinagra no doubt prepared for the 2016 Vanier Cup against Laval like he was the starter, rather than a backup to Jimmy Underdahl, whom he replaced early in the game. It's going to be different now that it is solely his show.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMaybe that transfers into Calgary playing better situational football. That was almost their downfall against UBC. The boxscore tally has Calgary at 591 yards, but a lot of the \"settling\" came after being stopped on second and short. There will be less allowance for that against Laval.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003ENo shame on UBC's end. \u003C\/i\u003EThe 'Birds lived up to their rep as a late-peaking team. It took a record-long field goal to beat them.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EO'Connor still has at least one more season in university football. That's a scary thought.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOntario — Yates Cup\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern 75, Laurier 32\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EThe field tilted after some hit-me-with-your-best-shot haymakers.\u003C\/i\u003E The long and short of that is that 10 games in there is still no idea what Western would do against a defence that could limit it to fewer than 200 rushing yards. Joseph had 21 rushes for 259 yards and three touchdowns, and leading rusher\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EAlex Taylor\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(knee) will get another week to work back to game readiness.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe 59-yard touchdown catch by\u003Cb\u003E Harry McMaster \u003C\/b\u003Ein the second quarter came on a read-option where the influence of a fake handoff left the Golden Hawks with a single-high safety and a straightforward read for\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EChris Merchant\u003C\/b\u003E. I wanted to see\u0026nbsp;Merchant in situations involving cycling through routes in an obvious passing situation, but that didn't happen too often. The first two instances resulted in a misfired timing route, and a sack. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce Laurier started to gas, though, that element became more evident. Merchant's best tight-window throw was a touchdown pass to \u003Cb\u003EBrett Ellerman\u003C\/b\u003E that capped a two-minute drill at the end of the fight half.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWestern had more passing yardage (205) than rushing (171) during the first half, but a lot of it came on play-action passes. It was a beatdown in all senses of the term.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThe horses that run the track after \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WesternMustangs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@WesternMustangs\u003C\/a\u003E score have been unsaddled and appear to be oxygen-starved. Thought they were going to trot a couple of laps, wound up particpating in a long cross-country run.\u003C\/div\u003E— Morris Dalla Costa (@MoDaCoatLFPress) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MoDaCoatLFPress\/status\/929457919241814016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003ELaurier role reversal.\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Cb\u003EMichael Knevel \u003C\/b\u003Ereturned from a three-week absence to connect on two long touchdowns, but the Golden Hawks' player usage was the story on that side of the ball. Primary back \u003Cb\u003ELevondre Gordon \u003C\/b\u003Ewas spotted due to a hamstring ailment and slotbacks\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EKurleigh Gittens Jr.\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003ECarson Ouellette\u003C\/b\u003E had take handoffs in the backfield. It was a creative stab at a solution, if not a sustainable one.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere really was very little Laurier could do.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EThe third phase.\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;Western was spurred early by rookie\u003Cb\u003E Mike Sananes\u003C\/b\u003E, whose nearly 150 return yards included a 95-yard kickoff-return TD. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe 'Stangs have some special-teams nits to pick, though. They had two penalties in punt-return situations that extended Laurier drives, and had a wasted timeout before a field goal. Details like that should be tight with a team that had two bye weeks recently, don't you think? \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat could actually matter somewhere down the line.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAtlantic\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESaint Mary's and AUS went to court over the cancellation of the Loney Bowl. Could they play on Monday if a judge grants SMU's request for an injunction?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EIf we don't end up getting a Loney Bowl there are a lot adults who failed these young men. And a lot of memories lost. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LoneyBowl?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#LoneyBowl\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Tim Micallef (@tim_micallef) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tim_micallef\/status\/929416750013153280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EYou are looking live ... at a courtroom ... deciding the outcome of an amateur football game. Look away, kids.\u003C\/div\u003E— monty mosher (@justplainmonty) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/justplainmonty\/status\/929443711016161281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ESMU lawyer said he’ll stay till midnight. Justice Smith says she is no longer optimistic she will have a decision tonight. May take till tomorrow. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/signalhfx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@signalhfx\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AUS_SUA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@AUS_SUA\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/n_frew6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@n_frew6\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/halifax?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#halifax\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Novascotia?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Novascotia\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HNiAg8UMnm\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/HNiAg8UMnm\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Tunde Balogun (@kingtundes) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kingtundes\/status\/929455051592163329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EOlympic Champion \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/donovanbailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@donovanbailey\u003C\/a\u003E visits the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SMUHuskies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@SMUHuskies\u003C\/a\u003E Football team today. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoHuskies?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoHuskies\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fCllJf0w9H\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/fCllJf0w9H\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— SMU Halifax (@smuhalifax) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/smuhalifax\/status\/929454342171693057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/3102512091169460457\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/11\/football-conference-championship.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3102512091169460457"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3102512091169460457"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/11\/football-conference-championship.html","title":"Football: Conference Championship Saturday thread: Calgary beats UBC on record 59-yard field goal; Laval beats Montréal, and it's That '70s Show For Western"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-716915334083444470"},"published":{"$t":"2017-11-04T22:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-11-04T22:07:40.785-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Editorializing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Eligibility"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Bears"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Regina Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Conference Semifinal Saturday thread ... Laurier-Western, SMU-Acadia on one bracket, Montréal-Laval in the other; and Happy Eligibility Controversy Week!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Peak U Sports: a team playing with a receiver whose eligibility was openly questioned in the media wins a playoff game on a missed field-goal single in the last minute.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENo, that's not a crisis of an organization's own making\u003Ci\u003E at all.\u003C\/i\u003E Saint Mary's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.atlanticuniversitysport.com\/sports\/fball\/2017-18\/postseason\/postseason-boxscores\/20171104_5a20.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egritted out a 16-15 AUS semifinal win against St. Francis Xavier\u003C\/a\u003E. While they pulled it out at the eleventh hour, somehow, in the 11th week of a 14-week season, whether receiver\u003Cb\u003E Archelaus Jack \u003C\/b\u003Eshould have been playing games in September became A Thing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELogically, Saint Mary's would not have gone ahead and played Jack if it did not believe the issue had been cleared and wasn't going to be a problem. The wide receiver had a game-high 72 yards, including the only touchdown of the game by either side, one day after \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/atlantic.ctvnews.ca\/smu-football-season-may-be-in-jeopardy-due-to-possible-ineligible-player-1.3662956\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECTV Atlantic got confirmation that Jack was on the Saskatchewan Roughriders practice roster as late as the second week of October 2016\u003C\/a\u003E. There is supposed to be 365-day sit-out rule for any player who was on a CFL \"taxi squad\" after August. 15. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe fact that no one at the highest pay grade where the buck stops noticed a potential issue should be the real within-the-context-of-sports outrage. Either it's checked out by the end of August or it isn't. If it takes until Nov. 3 for a gatekeeper to, guh, \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/atlantic.ctvnews.ca\/smu-football-season-may-be-in-jeopardy-due-to-possible-ineligible-player-1.3662956\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E(start) its investigation Friday and is (strike) a committee to look into the allegation\u003C\/a\u003E,\" then that's a broader problem. Hire an auditor to look after football eligibilty and do nothing else, please!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, semifinal — is there any word more thrilling to the human soul! It holds the promise of playing a trophy game the following week and the sheer horror of having a winter of our discontent descend far too soon. Even if one's team was stood to get stomped real good in the conference final, at least you had that extra week of football, eh?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThree of four conference finals will be rematches, including Montréal-Laval for the fifth consecutive season and UBC-Calgary for the third in succession. The Laurier-Western matchup is the first rematch Yates Cup since 2004.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe record for largest Yates Cup blowout is shared by Windsor, but that could change quickly.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;Western, going in reverse order, has scored 66, 63 and 51 points in its last three games, and won by margins of 54, 53 and 37. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is a 1983 Nebraska Cornhuskers level of domination and I don't see Miami Hurricanes dynasty waiting in the wings.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELaurier kept up its end of the bargain with setting up a Rematch! by winning a field goal-fest — my most hated of fests — against McMaster. Montages and oral histories of the last 8½ minutes of the 2016 Yates Cup for everyone. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tmwomfiD2NI\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is not quite the same this time. The meat in the reality sandwich is that Mustangs look even more imperious than they did 52 weeks ago. Laurier can still play some defence, but last year its offence was building toward a peak and this year's Golden Hawks offence has trended in an inauspicious direction since an injury to QB \u003Cb\u003EMichael Knevel\u003C\/b\u003E pushed young \u003Cb\u003ETristan Arndt \u003C\/b\u003Einto the breach.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe last time the same two teams played in the Yates in successive seasons was 2003 and '04, Laurier and McMaster.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI am being a little facetious about the record for largest margin of victory in a Yates Cup game. It won't be that bad, but if this was a game down south Western would probably be a 21- to 24-point favourite and no one would be afraid to state otherwise. I am not averring that Laurier has no chance, since some of those three-touchdown 'dogs win on the field.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe actual record for winning margin in the Yates Cup is 57 points, shared by Queen's (1964) and Windsor (1975). I know, it seemed weird to me too that Windsor is on the right side of a scoring record, let alone one for a championship game.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's squeaks through. \u003C\/b\u003EAs alluded to up top, it is bad optics to have an eligibility issue come up in the first week of November. It's doubtful the furor ended with the St. FX-SMU game itself.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ESaint Mary's appears to believe it has done nothing wrong. But if they broke a rule it would appear forfeit is the only remedy. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wjNbJID3R6\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/wjNbJID3R6\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— monty mosher (@justplainmonty) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/justplainmonty\/status\/926811688107761664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EGonna be an interesting week in AUS football. 16-15 SMU final in semi.\u003C\/div\u003E— monty mosher (@justplainmonty) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/justplainmonty\/status\/926901118529163264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EThere's no remedy to this that won't end without someone saying, \"Well that went slightly better than the worst it could have gone.\"\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary gets its third wind. \u003C\/b\u003EAlways a sucker for a running back jetting outside on third-and-short and scoring a dagger touchdown. Well-done, \u003Cb\u003EJeshrun Antwi\u003C\/b\u003E! And with that, Calgary will host another Hardy Cup game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PRime_tiM321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@PRime_tiM321\u003C\/a\u003E with a BIG touchdown as the Dinos take a 36-22 lead with 1:43 remaining!! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QZp1mROwJm\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/QZp1mROwJm\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/926927707853565952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EIn UFC terms, SMU's win against St. FX could get the game-of-the-day bonus since it was not decided until th final play. Some people like offence and \u003Cb\u003EAdam Sinagra\u003C\/b\u003E's Calgary offence (648 yards, 475 passing) and \u003Cb\u003EBrad Bake\u003C\/b\u003Er's Alberta attack (493, 429) had a lot of it.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe CFL game on the same field on Friday did not have an offensive touchdown, but that's hardly a fair comparison.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal at Laval for the Dunsmore Cup. \u003C\/b\u003EFor only the fifth consecutive season and seventh out of the last nine! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd if we want to strain the MMA analogies, that was probably like a\u003Cb\u003E Georges St-Pierre\u003C\/b\u003E fight during his peak years. Take a backseat to no one in respecting the technical mastery but boy, was that ever perfunctory.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe games themselves: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAtlantic\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's 16,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003ESt. Francis Xavier 15\u003C\/b\u003E — The Huskies kept up their pattern of putting up numbers on the stat sheet, 435 yards, including 300-plus in the final 30 minutes, if not the scoreboard. I'm glass half-full about that; if the production is there, it's more likely a team will start finishing, rather than stop moving the ball. It's like.when you were a kid and your parents warned you about spoiling your appetite. There's going to be another appetite.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECase in point, the Huskies lost the ball inside X's 10-yard line in the third quarter. But right after \u003Cb\u003EKaleb Scott \u003C\/b\u003Eput together a neat six-play drive that ended with Jack catching a touchdown.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SMUHuskies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@SMUHuskies\u003C\/a\u003E down StFX 16-15 in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SubwayAtlantic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@SubwayAtlantic\u003C\/a\u003E AUS Football Semifinal to advance to next week's Loney Bowl game: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/olBCiLIzyE\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/olBCiLIzyE\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— AUS_SUA (@AUS_SUA) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AUS_SUA\/status\/926903381117014022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAntoine Lyte-Myers\u003C\/b\u003E interception with 1:57 left in a tied game sparked Saint Mary's to get in range for a go-ahead single on a missed field goal. The X-Men opted against a Hail Mary or a Madame Lateral play to let\u003Cb\u003E Jonathan Heidebrecht \u003C\/b\u003Etry a 68-yard field goal on the last play. Please tell me they put men onside for that.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECanada West\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary 39, Alberta 22\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E— It took a good 2½ quarters before the Dinos tilted the field. One snap after Alberta got to even terms midway through the third quarter, Calgary's\u003Cb\u003E Ab Abdel-Rahim \u003C\/b\u003Escored on an 88-yard reception. The Dinos never led by fewer than seven points again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | Abdel-Rahim with a touchdown on the Dinos' first play after the Bears touchdown! They lead 23-16! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lXEUpFm7Ey\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/lXEUpFm7Ey\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/926915643890270210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Dinos, who were still without receiver Michael Klukas, are apparently back in form but please keep in mind that even with the mail-in job by Calgary last week, the Alberta defence is still statistically week. They allowed the most yards of anyone who made the Canada West playoffs, gave up the most passing yards and were second-last with 24 disruptions. (That's a made-up category for combined fumble recoveries, interceptions and sacks.) \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;No. 6 UBC 28, No. 9 Regina 21\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;— The 'Bird gang, and please come up with a better nickname for that defence, UBC sports communications, made enough plays to thwart a Regina comeback.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EHUGE PLAY! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Elliot_G98?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Elliot_G98\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E'Birds 28 - Rams 21\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBirdsGo?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoBirdsGo\u003C\/a\u003E | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HardyCup81?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#HardyCup81\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/PYhL9C7XZS\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/PYhL9C7XZS\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds\/status\/926975323744247809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 5, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Tha_RisingStar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Tha_RisingStar\u003C\/a\u003E knocks down the Hail Mary!!!\u003Cbr \/\u003E'Birds win! 'Birds win!\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBirdsGo?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoBirdsGo\u003C\/a\u003E | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HardyCup81?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#HardyCup81\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EJJhjrlUNt\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/EJJhjrlUNt\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds\/status\/926979830171688960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 5, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EBy the way, since that was wide receiver Trivel Pinto breaking up the Hail Mary pass, you can't say the UBC offensive players didn't have any big plays in the second half. In the rain in Vancouver, UBC didn't score any offensive points in the second half. Being sporadic is unlikely to get it done against the Dinos.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOntario\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 5 Laurier 19, No. 7 McMaster 6\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E— Laurier's veteran defensive back\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EScott Hutter\u003C\/b\u003E broke up a potential touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, keeping Laurier ahead and the game from getting interesting.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EConference semifinals in Ontario often do involve one team just trying not to screw up a good thing and that was Laurier in a matchup that presented stout defences and low-risk, low-yield offences with young quarters, the Golden Hawks' \u003Cb\u003ETristan Arndt \u003C\/b\u003Eand Mac's \u003Cb\u003EJackson White\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter Mac got within four points, Laurier did a decent job of closing up. Chunk-yard plays in both offensive phases from \u003Cb\u003ELevondre Gordon \u003C\/b\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003EKurleigh Gittens Jr.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;helped Laurier seal the win with field goals.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EArndt did show a flash of potential by hanging in against a free rusher to deliver the deep shot to Gittens that set up the late field goal that opened a 10-point lead.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMac's longest play from scrimmage was on a fake punt.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"und\"\u003E🔥\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Back4More?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Back4More\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WeAreHAWKS?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#WeAreHAWKS\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LYhQhGCKGI\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/LYhQhGCKGI\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WLUAthletics\/status\/926905851834785792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E110th Yates Cup, we see you 🔥 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WeAreHAWKS?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#WeAreHAWKS\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OCS1NxkZuO\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/OCS1NxkZuO\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WLUAthletics\/status\/926909865376845824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 2 Western 66,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 8 Guelph 12\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E—\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EGuelph might have a chance, they said.\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;The Mustang machine rolled up 28 points during the second quarter to decide the issue very early. They hit half-a-hundred before the game was 42 minutes old.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Gryphons touchdown came through a 102-yard fumble return by \u003Cb\u003ENick Parisotto\u003C\/b\u003E.\u0026nbsp;That runback covered more yardage than the Gryphons netted the entire day. True story. Unless Western had 12 separate misfortunes befall its defensive starters — one maybe; two sure; three there's an outsid chance, but 12? — there isn't much point in offering further commentary.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EFOOTBALL | Final score | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/westernu?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#westernu\u003C\/a\u003E 66 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/guelph_gryphons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@guelph_gryphons\u003C\/a\u003E 12 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PurpleReign?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#PurpleReign\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Western Mustangs (@WesternMustangs) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WesternMustangs\/status\/926899620063481856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQuebec\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 1 Laval 45, Sherbrooke 0 (fourth quarter)\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;— The Vert et Or are now 0-27 all-time against Laval, and it's now more than two years since its last offensive TD against Laval. Bishop's was allowed to go join another league; might the same accommodation be extended to Sherbrooke? Let them switch with an Ottawa-area school and then have Western join the RSEQ to even the numbers out?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJust a thought. Rouge et Or QB \u003Cb\u003EHugo Richard\u003C\/b\u003E had three rushing touchdowns and passed for a fourth. Very\u003Cb\u003E Phill Côté\u003C\/b\u003E-esque.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 3 Montréal 42, Concordia 20\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E— Finally, a game where each team had points. In a way, that makes them both winners but in another, more accurate way, Montréal is the winner.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERichard's Carabins counterpart,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ESamuel Caron\u003C\/b\u003E, had two touchdowns by air and one by land. How drearily conventional. But defensive back\u003Cb\u003E Jordan Perrin \u003C\/b\u003Ehad an 80-yard pick-six. That's better.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EDirection : Coupe Dunsmore. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8LbcpphjVj\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/8LbcpphjVj\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Carabins (@Carabins) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carabins\/status\/926925257092550662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ENovember 4, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Stingers got their Big 12 on in the first quarter with a three-play, 86-yard drive that used only 76 seconds.\u003Cb\u003E Adam Vance \u003C\/b\u003Ehad two 42-yard strikes on the drive, the second a touchdown pass to\u003Cb\u003E Jarryd Taylor\u003C\/b\u003E. More of that next season, please, Concordia.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/716915334083444470\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/11\/football-conference-semifinal-saturday.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/716915334083444470"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/716915334083444470"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/11\/football-conference-semifinal-saturday.html","title":"Football: Conference Semifinal Saturday thread ... Laurier-Western, SMU-Acadia on one bracket, Montréal-Laval in the other; and Happy Eligibility Controversy Week!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/tmwomfiD2NI\/default.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-2634634764660740286"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-27T21:30:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-29T15:29:31.084-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Bears"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Top 10 Tracker: Western has to be No. 1 now, eh? Calgary crushed by Alberta; Laval locks up No. 1 in Quebec; McMaster and Guelph win OUA quarters"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Better to be slightly late on the epiphany than the last to know, eh? Western has to be No. 1, what with being the last undefeated team after Calgary went through the motions and lost — wait for it — \u003Ci\u003E53-3\u003C\/i\u003E against Alberta in a game that was immaterial to the Dinos' standings.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe rule of thumb when a 7-0 team that is locked into first place loses is that is shouldn't affect the ranking if the score was respectable. It can be a canary in the coal mine (see Western losing 37-0 against Queen's in its finale in 2011, before losing the Yates Cup at home by three touchdowns three weeks later). It can also be a one-off, or even \"a well-orchestrated loss\" as Queen's coach Pat Sheahan termed it following his team's national championship season in 2009.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut 53 to three, that looks rather abject for Calgary. It's also a huge feat for Alberta, which is making strides toward respectability under coach \u003Cb\u003EChris Morris\u003C\/b\u003E. All that shook out to send in a Top 10 ballot as follows:\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cp lang=\"ro\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003EMy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/usports?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#usports\u003C\/a\u003E FB Top 10\u003Cbr\u003E1 Western\u003Cbr\u003E2 Laval\u003Cbr\u003E3 Calgary\u003Cbr\u003E4 Montréal\u003Cbr\u003E5 UBC\u003Cbr\u003E6 Laurier\u003Cbr\u003E7 McMaster\u003Cbr\u003E8 Guelph\u003Cbr\u003E9 Acadia\u003Cbr\u003E10 Alberta \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OUA?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#OUA\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/uagree?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#uagree\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026mdash; Neate Sager (@n8sager) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/n8sager\/status\/924715450738417664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe reigning gridiron-football gurus out in western Canada were right to believe the Western (Ontario) Mustangs are Canada's best. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EU SPORTS Football Top 10: Undefeated \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UCDinos\u003C\/a\u003E move up to No. 1\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aCkVxd9nyB\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/aCkVxd9nyB\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OJfZrHyN1u\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/OJfZrHyN1u\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— U SPORTS (@USPORTSca) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca\/status\/922862731048263682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EThat is the way it goes. The FieldTurf always looks greener on the other side of the country.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ECharting the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Power7?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Power7\u003C\/a\u003E teams in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USportsFB?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#USportsFB\u003C\/a\u003E this year. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KrownCountdownU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@KrownCountdownU\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oxIC5J9XsU\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/oxIC5J9XsU\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Jim Mullin (@Jim_Mullin) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jim_Mullin\/status\/922617419687911425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EOh, the irony. The week I actually move the Dinos off of number one... \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5oiYVIl3C1\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/5oiYVIl3C1\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Gord R. (@GARandall) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GARandall\/status\/922928200040116224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe bullet points on this Saturday of action:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAlberta 53, Calgary 3.\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ci\u003EThat happened. \u003C\/i\u003EThe Golden Bears, who were 0-4 at one point. won by a sufficiently large enough margin to get the last Canada West playoff berth and a semifinal date against none other than Calgary,. Whether Alberta will be competitive now that Calgary will face actually stakes remains to be seen, but the transformation is enlivening. Receiver\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ETylor Henry \u003C\/b\u003Escored four touchdowns and\u003Cb\u003E Ed Ilnicki \u003C\/b\u003Eincreased\u0026nbsp;his rushing tally to a Canada West-record 1,468 yards. That's \u003Ci\u003E184 per game.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 The Dinos will have another crack at the Golden Bears: the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CWplayoffs?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#CWplayoffs\u003C\/a\u003E start Saturday. 1 pm, McMahon Stadium.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3XRIgbMZNy\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/3XRIgbMZNy\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/924481533917855744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThere were many people and pundits that counted out the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UABearsFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UABearsFootball\u003C\/a\u003E after 0-4 start, but they gutted it out and are now playoff bound!\u003C\/div\u003E— Jason Hills (@hillsyjay) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hillsyjay\/status\/924482911348301824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThere were many people and pundits that counted out the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UABearsFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UABearsFootball\u003C\/a\u003E after 0-4 start, but they gutted it out and are now playoff bound!\u003C\/div\u003E— Jason Hills (@hillsyjay) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hillsyjay\/status\/924482911348301824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC will host Regina in the Canada West semifinal.\u003C\/b\u003E The Thunderbirds scored 35 points in the second \u003Ci\u003Equarter\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;and routed the Rams 44-15. They'll play again. Quarterback Michael O'Connor was out of the game after 2½ quarters.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval strengthens its case for No. 1; then again, Westenr's got stronger.\u003C\/b\u003E The defending national champions blew out Concordia on Friday night; the run for a repeat begins at home next week against Sherbrooke.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELyons roars for No. 7 McMaster.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;McMaster and Laurier will meet in the OUA semifinal again, after the Marauders' 12-9 closer-than-it-should-have-been win against Queen's. Running back \u003Cb\u003EJordan Lyons\u003C\/b\u003E tied OUA's single-game record for carries (39) and had the second-most yards (319) in a Canadian university playoff game. Still, it wasn't in the bag until Sam linebacker\u003Cb\u003E Eric Blake \u003C\/b\u003Eintercepted a pass at Mac's 35-yard line with 1:20 left.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 9 Guelph gets another shot at No. 3 Western.\u003C\/b\u003E The only team that has been able to hang with the 'Stangs will get another shot at doing so next week in London. Guelph, with QB\u003Cb\u003E James Roberts\u003C\/b\u003E returning from the brain injury he suffered four weeks ago against McMaster, rolled by 22 points against Ottawa.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EHere's the Top 10 tracker for the week, to be updated as results pour in from across Canada.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (7-1 Canada West, 53-3 loss against Alberta)\u003C\/b\u003E — Is being No. 1 the best thing \u003Ci\u003Ementally\u003C\/i\u003E? It can also prove to be an albatross. \u003Ci\u003E(Note: this was written before the games started.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Dinos_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Dinos_Football\u003C\/a\u003E comes in at No. 1 in the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@USPORTSca\u003C\/a\u003E Football Top 10 for the first time since November 2015!\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WeAreAllDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#WeAreAllDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GLUWUwrZUq\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/GLUWUwrZUq\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/922865921592508416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈PREVIEW | The Dinos look to keep things rolling into the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CWplayoffs?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#CWplayoffs\u003C\/a\u003E as they host the Bears.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EREAD➡️\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TVQobkFOsz\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/TVQobkFOsz\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bk80RTtT1W\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/bk80RTtT1W\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/923270590810636288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 25, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EIt was a nothing game for Calgary ... it was a nothing game for Calgary. They can't really be No. 1 after such a lopsided loss, but the floor is No. 3. I can't think of a team which once lost a game by 50 points going on to win the Vanier Cup, but I know of at least one national championship team who had a 35-point loss.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EDinos playing rookies at both corners and its been a work in progress today. Dinos packing box to stop illnicki but that's leaving no help.\u003C\/div\u003E— Jon (@jonathanwhudson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonathanwhudson\/status\/924361324741537792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EDinos playing like they pulled too many pieces out of the Jenga tower for this game.\u003C\/div\u003E— Jon (@jonathanwhudson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonathanwhudson\/status\/924374346520444928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMostly it was first 7 series. Fumble, Fumble, Missed FG, Fumble, Punt, Int, turnover on downs in end zone. Half finished with two more punts\u003C\/div\u003E— Jon (@jonathanwhudson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonathanwhudson\/status\/924449807816523776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (7-1 RSEQ, 46-14 road win at Concordia )\u003C\/b\u003E — Scored a point-per-minute pace in the first half on Friday as they locked first place in the RSEQ, and\u003Cb\u003E Hugo Richard \u003C\/b\u003Eaveraged a cool 8.8 per pass. It's 1A and 1B with Western at No. 1.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EKrown Countdown U: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Laval?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Laval\u003C\/a\u003E reclaims top spot in Quebec \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Els1yEXN7c\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/Els1yEXN7c\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USports?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#USports\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NCAA?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#NCAA\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/T7GG9eYoat\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/T7GG9eYoat\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/3DownNation\/status\/923326805204971520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 25, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (8-0 OUA, host semifinal on Nov. 4)\u003C\/b\u003E — Lines win championships. Western is good on both sides of the line. Ergo, Western has a better argument for No. 1 than it did before, especially with the way it handled its make-it-quick meaningless last regular-season game.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThis story about \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WesternMustangs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@WesternMustangs\u003C\/a\u003E O-line ran last week. This has a few adjustments. Thanks to David Brown. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fTwLJ4wRvO\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/fTwLJ4wRvO\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Morris Dalla Costa (@MoDaCoatLFPress) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MoDaCoatLFPress\/status\/922618358750744576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal (6-1 RSEQ, 27-17\u0026nbsp; home win against McGill)\u003C\/b\u003E — Got the McGill game over with and will face Concordia in the semifinal, for the first time since Gastro-Gate. The Carabins should stay at No. 4.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003E🏈 - Les Carabins concluent leur saison sur une victoire\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oL0PM14AtR\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/oL0PM14AtR\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Carabins (@Carabins) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carabins\/status\/924407106865975297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIs it odd that four of five teams in Quebec make the playoffs, while the Atlantic takes three of five? Not especially. With the egos in Quebec City and Montreal it's impossible to see any acquiescence to the first-place winner getting to rest up, and the Little Three probably could not stand having to compete for one spot, like Olympic divers who all know they're competing for bronze after the Chinese pair finish 1-2.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (6-2 OUA, host semifinal Nov. 4) \u003C\/b\u003E— Perhaps \u003Cb\u003EMichael Knevel\u003C\/b\u003E, wearing the braid of Yates Cup-winning quarterback who lead a lightning-in-a-bottle comeback against Western, will be healthy in two weeks' time. Or Laurier has\u003Cb\u003E Tristan Arndt \u003C\/b\u003Eto turn loose, possibly against the McMaster team that he lit up last Saturday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat is for sure is nothing will be confirmed from the depth charts, which in OUA are exchanged on the eve of the game. Laurier played a guessing game before that 40-15 rout two weeks ago.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC (6-2 Canada West, 44-15 home win against No. 8 Regina)\u003C\/b\u003E — They're still unlikely to host a Hardy Cup, but could they end up home for the Mitchell Bowl if Calgary keeps going down its current path? The Thunderbirds defence had five sacks on Saturday, and if Calgary's having pass-protection issues, then look out.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E'Birds win the right to host the Hardy Cup semifinal vs Regina with a 44-15 victory on Oct 28th's fan appreciation day. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBirdsGo?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoBirdsGo\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oFcIcyBjA5\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/oFcIcyBjA5\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds\/status\/924419418024587265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UBC\u003C\/a\u003E football scores huge 44-15 win over \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/reginarams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@reginarams\u003C\/a\u003E to clinch home playoff game. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBirdsGo?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoBirdsGo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E📡: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/htsumura?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@htsumura\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003ERecap: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wBONOMt4bb\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/wBONOMt4bb\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xjXi7nrk50\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/xjXi7nrk50\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds\/status\/924445232183222272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EUBC muscles up in second quarter, beats Regina to clinch home field for first round of football playoffs \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vqRBrc4biR\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/vqRBrc4biR\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NBfUNbpRND\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/NBfUNbpRND\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Province Sports (@provincesports) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/provincesports\/status\/924466850850734081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESomeone who is not me has to look up the last time that happened. Going off of memory, it seems like the teams which have won Hardy Cup games in hostile territory were also travelling for the national semifinal (UBC in 2015, Manitoba in 2014, Calgary in 2009, among others).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (6-2 OUA, 12-9 home win against Queen's in quarter-final) \u003C\/b\u003E— Have you ever seen a spot where both teams were doing the \"we got it\" pointing? That happened in the final minute at McMaster after short-yardage QB\u003Cb\u003E Dylan Astrom \u003C\/b\u003Egained the necessary inchage on third-and-1. It was a bad spot, which was sort of a shame since it was such a cleanly played game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELyons and the hog-maulies such as guards\u003Cb\u003E Josh Lolli \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Jakub Szott \u003C\/b\u003Eand tackle\u003Cb\u003E Nick Firlit\u003C\/b\u003E were the headliners with the back's 319-yard game. But the reason Mac is still a lead-pack team in OUA despite coaching changes and loss of generational offensive talent is the defensive depth. With back-eight defenders \u003Cb\u003EBen Megarry \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Alec Robertson\u003C\/b\u003E both out, Blake stepped up to issue a Hard No to Queen's with his interception in the penultimate minute. Veteran Mark Mackie, who was this commentator's choice as OUA Hec Crighton candidate last season (on the premise it would ever go to an interior lineman), also had a huge fourth-quarter sack.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E\"I think we can compete on the national scale every year.”\u003Cbr \/\u003EMcMaster's Mackie making his mark on 🏈, community \u0026amp; MCATs\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vnuC4xAAhL\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/vnuC4xAAhL\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Q1lfXXjFwj\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/Q1lfXXjFwj\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— U SPORTS (@USPORTSca) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca\/status\/924292074161049601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn a rainy day, field position dictated everything, and Mac was airtight when Queen's and\u003Cb\u003E Nate Hobbs \u003C\/b\u003Egot in range. The Gaels settled for three points after recovering a fumbled punt on Mac's 22 in the third quarter. Another threat fizzled when kicker \u003Cb\u003ENick Liberatore\u003C\/b\u003E (3-of-5) dinged the upright on a game-tying field goal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt would have been the ultimate in Canadian football weirdness if Mac had contrived to lose when they had a 300-yard game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERegina (4-4 Canada West, 44-15 road loss at No. 6 UBC)\u003C\/b\u003E — Fall back on the \"bad dress rehearsal, great performance\" cliché. One side effect of the loss was that QB\u003Cb\u003E Noah Picton \u003C\/b\u003Ewas mercy-pulled and ended up falling shy of the 10,000-career-yard milestone. By unofficial tally, he's at 9,842.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETwo Rams alumni started in the same NFL game. The punter is a starter!\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Giants?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Giants\u003C\/a\u003E ➡️ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Seahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Seahawks\u003C\/a\u003E! 👏\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LWillson_82?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@LWillson_82\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JonRyan9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@JonRyan9\u003C\/a\u003E receive the 🇨🇦 from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/brettjones69?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@BrettJones69\u003C\/a\u003E to continue The Great Canadian Handoff! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CarryCanada?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#CarryCanada\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/o5kzkjQBj1\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/o5kzkjQBj1\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFLCanada\/status\/922291114949869568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 23, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (5-3 OUA, 30-8 road win against Ottawa in quarter-final)\u003C\/b\u003E — Best way to avoid a double-overtime defeat is get a team down early. The Gryphons scored four times in the first quarter and won going away, with \u003Cb\u003EJohnny Augustine \u003C\/b\u003Egaining 156 rushing-receiving yards on 22 touches.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Gryphons might well be the only team which can keep Western from coming out of OUA. There are rumblings about Guelph slipping off the field, but the holdovers from the 2015 Yates Cup team mean they are a potential giant-slayer.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMooood. We can't hide it! 🏈🥜 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PlayoffFever?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#PlayoffFever\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TeamFirst?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#TeamFirst\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ESwr16xJZa\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/ESwr16xJZa\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Gryphon Football (@GryphonFootball) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GryphonFootball\/status\/924689939031347200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAcadia (6-2 AUS, host Loney Bowl on Nov. 11)\u003C\/b\u003E — A double bye seems like an embarrassment of riches.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAlso in consideration (but not anymore):\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOttawa (5-3 OUA, 30-8 home loss against No. 9 Guelph in quarter-final)\u003C\/b\u003E — Ouchtown, population 47. That the Gee-Gees hosted a playoff game after the stresses of this season is commendable in itself, in light of the emotions with \u003Cb\u003ELoïc Kayembe\u003C\/b\u003E's death days before another excruciating Panda Game defeat to Carleton.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYet the season ended the same way as the last one, having the quarterback, this time\u003Cb\u003E Adam Lavric\u003C\/b\u003E, knocked out of the game and scoring fewer than 10 points. There were triumphs nonetheless this season and \u003Cb\u003EJackson Bennett \u003C\/b\u003Edelivered some scale-model Bo Jackson-esque moments. If he is not an all-Canadian, there should be a Royal Commission.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's (5-3* AUS, 26-25 home loss against Mount Allison) \u003C\/b\u003E— No this won't be salty much. Saint Mary's ended up in second place due to forfeiting a game against St. Francis Xavier, and that win might vault St. FX into the playoffs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E(* One of Saint Mary's defeats was a forfeit.) \u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/2634634764660740286\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/football-top-10-tracker-calgary-is-no-1.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2634634764660740286"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2634634764660740286"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/football-top-10-tracker-calgary-is-no-1.html","title":"Football: Top 10 Tracker: Western has to be No. 1 now, eh? Calgary crushed by Alberta; Laval locks up No. 1 in Quebec; McMaster and Guelph win OUA quarters"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-3725258419221197602"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-14T18:01:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-16T13:47:14.115-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Top 10 Tracker (and OUA ClusterFudge 2017): Calgary struggles, Guelph takes down Laurier, Regina heads to overtime"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"And boom went the tryptophan for No. 2 Calgary and No. 5 Laurier, who have each stumbled around in an apparent turkey coma after not playing during the holiday weekend.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Dinos and QB Adam Sinagra are in the driver's seat for home-field advantage throughout the\u0026nbsp; playoffs regardless of whether it comes back to defeat Manitoba (!). Calgary, trailing much of the way, has scored 14 unanswered points to take a late 34-27 lead.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENo need to remind anyone that Calgary won by 59 points in their first game; Manitoba certainly did not forget.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn central Canada, Guelph demonstrated why it was a Top 10-worthy despite three losses with a 24-14 win against Laurier that can only be described as thorough. The end result is that, apart from Western having first place locked, the other five playoff slots in Ontario are completely in an uproar. McMaster, the tortoise to Laurier's hare, can wrest the second-place playoff bye by defeating the sagging Golden Hawks in Waterloo next week.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo you know what this means for the Top 10? Laval and Western, who are both on bye weeks, are going to add support. The gilded teams gain without doing any work, yes, that's right. Which one is \u003Cb\u003EJared Kushner\u003C\/b\u003E and which one is\u003Cb\u003E Ivanka Trump\u003C\/b\u003E?\u0026nbsp;kidding, but not really.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal (5-0 RSEQ, 47-15 road win at Sherbrooke) \u003C\/b\u003E— \u003Ci\u003ETrop facile\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003E5 victoires. Aucun revers. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fpuiFl1UFg\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/fpuiFl1UFg\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Carabins (@Carabins) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carabins\/status\/919311288030949377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 14, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (6-0 CW, 36-27 win against Manitoba)\u003C\/b\u003E — Stand to lose some first-place votes after very slowly pulling away from the Bisons with 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | How did we get that great field position for our last TD? This well placed pass by Adam Sinagra! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FnqRWIlYgV\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/FnqRWIlYgV\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/919318753585664001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 14, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | The Dinos defence gets to the QB, eventually forcing Manitoba into a safety. Calgary leads 30-27! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eAklkFNq1q\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/eAklkFNq1q\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/919320463125364736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 14, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 RECAP | 🌬️🌬️🌬️ blows the Dinos past \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/umbisons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@umbisons\u003C\/a\u003E 36-27 today as \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Dinos_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Dinos_Football\u003C\/a\u003E improves to 6-0!\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EREAD ➡️ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nGwy8CrHmD\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/nGwy8CrHmD\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fDgbrryfh6\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/fDgbrryfh6\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/919358299241299968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 15, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (5-1 RSEQ, bye week)\u003C\/b\u003E — Really,\u0026nbsp; the third-place vote is a coin flip between a one-loss RSEQ team and an undefeated team in Ontario; the debate over it just wastes valuable oxygen.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (7-0 OUA, bye week)\u003C\/b\u003E — Might have mentioned this before, but Queen's in 2009, Western in 2011 and McMaster in 2014 all took it easy in the final game when first place was in the bag. The cautionary example for OUA teams will always be 2007 and '08, when first Ottawa and then Queen's ran the table only to lose at home in the semifinals to teams who were better than their 4-4 regular season indicated. But with Western essentially having their reg-season finale sandwiched between bye weeks, they will need to play some starters to keep them sharp.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (5-2 OUA, 24-14 road loss at No. 10 Guelph)\u003C\/b\u003E — The Golden Hawks were already lower than McMaster on some ballots. They still rate being the fourth Ontario team on the ballot at No. 9 or No. 10. Their results on the road against Queen's and Waterloo, as well as against Carleton, top what Ottawa (5-2) did against those teams.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMeantime, the Golden Hawks were once again held to fewer than 17 points — and their longest gain, rush or pass, was 19 yards — in a test against a credible defence. And next week they face OUA's No. 1 ranked defence, McMaster.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (6-1 OUA, 29-13 home win against Windsor)\u003C\/b\u003E — Speaking of which, the Marauders had another workmanlike win, coming within five minutes of completing their home schedule without allowing an offensive touchdown. Windsor's\u003Cb\u003E Marcus Kentner\u003C\/b\u003E, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive (yes, Mac was already up by 20), went over on a three-yard rush with 4:55 left.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Marauders and frosh QB \u003Cb\u003EJackson White \u003C\/b\u003Ewill start the playoffs at home, since they cannot finish lower than third in Ontario.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC (4-2 CW, 29-25 win at Saskatchewan )\u003C\/b\u003E — The Thunderbirds are the wild card on both the ballot and the national playoff picture. Don't let them come near your means of conveyance.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"YOUTUBE-iframe-video\" data-thumbnail-src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/2MTnj-W-_EI\/0.jpg\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2MTnj-W-_EI?feature=player_embedded\" width=\"480\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Thunderbirds built a 20-point lead and, in light of QB \u003Cb\u003EMichael O'Connor\u003C\/b\u003E putting up 466 yards, likely should have more to show for their toil than 29 points. Getting the W at Griffiths Stadium counts as a character win and UBC should draw in at No. 6, behind Calgary, the two Quebec teams and McMaster and Western in whatever order.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERegina (4-2 CW, 58-55 overtime win against Alberta) — \u003C\/b\u003EThe Rams stuck it out in a score-fest.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/canadawest.org\/sports\/fball\/2017-18\/boxscores\/20171014_v6ky.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIt was a basketball game\u003C\/a\u003E. Regina's \u003Cb\u003ENoah Picton\u003C\/b\u003E passed for 386 yards; the U of A's\u003Cb\u003E Brad Baker \u003C\/b\u003Eplayed pitch and catch for a total of 437. And each running back, Regina's \u003Cb\u003EAtlee Simon\u003C\/b\u003E and Alberta's \u003Cb\u003EEd Ilnicki\u003C\/b\u003E, went for more than 200 yards. Both teams had two receivers with century games.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm not as high on Regina as some voters. They'll probably be my 10th-place vote.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ENever gets old \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USPORTS?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#USPORTS\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SNF?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#SNF\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Giants?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Giants\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/h3noumoDhY\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/h3noumoDhY\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Marshall Ferguson (@TSN_Marsh) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSN_Marsh\/status\/919723980071817216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 16, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's (5-1 AUS, 55-11 win against Bishop's) —\u003C\/b\u003E Did you pick the Huskies defence and special teams in your fantasy league? One can call the special teams player of the week honour for SMU's \u003Cb\u003EJohnny King\u003C\/b\u003E, who housed both a kickoff (99 yards) and a punt (56 yards). Throw in a pair of pick-sixes and the always-popular team safety, and the Huskies' D\/ST outscored the offence 34-21. That was more interesting than the actual game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESaint Mary's should draw in around No. 7 or 8.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (4-3, 24-14 home win against No. 5 Laurier)\u003C\/b\u003E — Validated why people voted for them despite three losses. On the field, the winning margin for Guelph came through the 10-point swing in the third quarter when \u003Cb\u003EJacob Scarfone\u003C\/b\u003E went up (and down) the right sideline for a 120-yard missed field goal return TD. That opened a 17-0 lead and Laurier never got closer than six points.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGuelph controlled the line of scrimmage on each side of the ball, with \u003Cb\u003EJohnny Augustine\u003C\/b\u003E rushing 31 times for 176 yards and backup QB \u003Cb\u003ETheo Landers\u003C\/b\u003E complementing with 14 rushes for 86. Laurier's\u003Cb\u003E Levondre Gordon\u003C\/b\u003E (21 rushes for 71 yards) was well-contained.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Gryphons still aren't in the playoffs officially, but put themselves into a win-and-in road game at Carleton next week.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAlso in consideration:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOttawa (5-2 OUA, 40-30 home win against Waterloo)\u003C\/b\u003E — Still hesitant to anoint Ottawa at the expense of Laurier due to the Golden Hawks, or at least the version of themselves that they were before Oct. 1, having a better showing against common opponents.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDoes one really want to give Ontario five out of 10 spots? But do either Concordia or Saskatchewan really look like they could be No. 10?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis\u0026nbsp; was Ottawa's fifth game decided by 10 or fewer points, and it has won four. Two are directly attributable to hybrid linebacker \u003Cb\u003EJackson Bennett\u003C\/b\u003E, whose 36-yard interception return for a touchdown was his second fourth-quarter game-winner this season (again,\u003Ci\u003E he's on defence\u003C\/i\u003E). Bennett also housed a 99-yard kickoff return in Ottawa's one-point win against Queen's on Sept. 4, and does that not seem pivotal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs odd as it might sound after a 40-30 game with almost 1,100 total yards, Ottawa really won due to its defence. The stats show that Waterloo's wunderkind Tre Ford averaged a Sinopoli-esque 11.7 yards per rush (and a very cromulent 8.7 per pass), but Ford might have gone past 200 if not for being tracked by Bennett and DB \u003Cb\u003EJamie Harry\u003C\/b\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow for OUA clusterfudge:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe main question is whether three teams tie at 5-3 or as many as four tie at 4-4. The former of those logjams involves a Guelph win next week with Laurier and Ottawa each losing. Since Laurier and Ottawa have not played, it gets complicated.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe four-way tie for the final two spots requires Carleton to defeat Guelph, with Queen's winning to join Waterloo at 4-4. All four would be 4-4 and tied for fifth. Guelph and Queen's did not play, which would mean turning to the dreaded \"common opponents\" tiebreaker.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWestern (7-0)\u0026nbsp; has home field advantage through to the Yates Cup, as you know.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMcMaster-Laurier, with the Marauders (6-1) trending in a more positive direction than the Golden Hawks (5-2), decides second place.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOttawa (5-2) is at least clear of the pile-up for the final playoff spots. They are resilient and resourceful, and finishing the regular season in the black deserves acknowledgement. They have held it together after the death of defensive end\u003Cb\u003E Loic Kayembe \u003C\/b\u003Eand, while, nothing can repair the loss of young life, it seemed to be galvanizing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOh, and they pulled off a reverse flea-flicker.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EA little Monday Morning Trickery courtesy of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/uOttawaGeeGees?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@uottawageegees\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E😏😏😏😏😏\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E📽️:\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@USPORTSca\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/w2h3WC2Ykz\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/w2h3WC2Ykz\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— CFL (@CFL) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CFL\/status\/919927007605125120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 16, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOttawa also pivoted from having an air show for three seasons with Hec Crighton finalist \u003Cb\u003EDerek Wendel \u003C\/b\u003Eto turning to frosh\u003Cb\u003E Alex Lavric\u003C\/b\u003E, the first rookie to become QB1 for the Gee-Gees since 2004. And it' graduated all-Canadian receivers in back-to-back years. Yet Ottawa has kept grinding.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBy the way, Ottawa coach\u003Cb\u003E Jamie Barresi \u003C\/b\u003Ewent against the book with third-down situations twice in the fourth quarter on Saturday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe first didn't lead directly to points, but it was huge in the situational football sense it was great. Ottawa had third-and-3 on its 43 with the score tied 30-30 with seven minutes left. A punt would have given Waterloo decent starting position, with its offence riding the crest of three consecutive long drives.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo Ottawa snapped the ball directly to No. 2 tailback\u003Cb\u003E Donald Shaw\u003C\/b\u003E, who darted for 18 yards. The possession still ended with a punt, but Waterloo instead started on its nine-yard line. The long field let Ottawa get more aggressive, and soon enough Bennett had the pick-six.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the second-last minute, Ottawa also had third-and-1 on the Waterloo 35-yard line with a seven-point lead. Typically that's a go-for-it situation. But like the baseball manager with a lights-out reliever, why wait to bring on a kicker such as\u003Cb\u003E Lewis Ward\u003C\/b\u003E, who's fairly automatic from 45 yards in? Ward, with Jamie Harry teeing up the ball since regular holder\u003Cb\u003E Bryce Vieira\u003C\/b\u003E had been injured moments earlier, delivered the dagger from 42 yards out.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhether Waterloo (4-4) gets their Week 9 miracle through a Toronto upset of Queen's, they were full value for their effort at Ottawa on Saturday. Waterloo-Ottawa was likely the best-played game, pound for pound, in Ontario all week, with Warriors co-quarterbacks\u003Cb\u003E Lucas McConnell \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Tre Ford \u003C\/b\u003Eeach leading game-tying touchdown drives in the second half.\u003Cbr f=\"\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/3725258419221197602\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/football-top-10-tracker-and-oua.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3725258419221197602"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3725258419221197602"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/football-top-10-tracker-and-oua.html","title":"Football: Top 10 Tracker (and OUA ClusterFudge 2017): Calgary struggles, Guelph takes down Laurier, Regina heads to overtime"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/2MTnj-W-_EI\/default.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7726313592238874073"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-01T18:30:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-01T22:04:31.584-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Regina Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stingers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Calgary and Western make statements with decisive road wins, Regina drops 50 on the Huskies; Guelph guts out win "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"A bold Calgary statement on a cold Friday night. The No. 2-ranked Dinos, on the margin of 21 unanswered in the third quarter, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/canadawest.org\/sports\/fball\/2017-18\/boxscores\/20170929_j9wm.xml?view=plays\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewon 31-17 on the road against No. 6 UBC\u003C\/a\u003E, which could help them cadge a few more first-place votes from idle Montréal. The Dinos received five in last week's poll, and had one two weeks ago.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere's what I submitted.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USports?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#USports\u003C\/a\u003E FB top-10:\u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Calgary\u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Montréal\u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Western\u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Laval\u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Laurier\u003Cbr \/\u003E6) UBC\u003Cbr \/\u003E7) McMaster\u003Cbr \/\u003E8) SMU\u003Cbr \/\u003E9) Regina\u003Cbr \/\u003E10) Guelph\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UAgree?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#UAgree\u003C\/a\u003E? \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OUA?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#OUA\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Neate Sager (@n8sager) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/n8sager\/status\/914643994600189952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 2, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EOther, greater minds of more refined taste are fortunately on hand to balance out the ballot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cp lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003EMy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USports?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#USports\u003C\/a\u003E FB top-10:\u003Cbr\u003E1) Calgary\u003Cbr\u003E2) Montreal\u003Cbr\u003E3) Western\u003Cbr\u003E4) Laval\u003Cbr\u003E5) Laurier\u003Cbr\u003E6) McMaster\u003Cbr\u003E7) UBC\u003Cbr\u003E8) Regina\u003Cbr\u003E9) St. Mary\u0026#39;s\u003Cbr\u003E10) Guelph\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UAgree?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#UAgree\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026mdash; Gord R. (@GARandall) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GARandall\/status\/914617098680205313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 1, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cp lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003EHere\u0026#39;s my \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USports_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@USports_FB\u003C\/a\u003E Top 10-\u003Cbr\u003E1. Cal\u003Cbr\u003E2. MTL\u003Cbr\u003E3. Western\u003Cbr\u003E4. Laval\u003Cbr\u003E5. Mac\u003Cbr\u003E6. Regina\u003Cbr\u003E7.Laurier\u003Cbr\u003E8. UBC\u003Cbr\u003E9. SMU \u003Cbr\u003E10. Guelph\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026mdash; Casey Dulson (@Casey_Dulson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Casey_Dulson\/status\/914671010447810561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 2, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs often happens on UFC cards, the preliminaries were better than the main bout in Ontario. Western is in the driver's seat for home-field advantage through to the Yates Cup. The other games involving teams which received votes this week beggar bullet-pointing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern was in control throughout against Laurier during a 29-13 road win.\u003C\/b\u003E That likely leaves the 4-5-6-7 spots unchanged, since the form held for all four teams.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe OUA was pushed toward parity thanks to two frantic finishes by teams who had the short end of the scheduling stick.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECarleton outlasted Ottawa 33-30 in double overtime in the Panda Game,\u003C\/b\u003E making it four in a row in the rivalry game, with three decided on the final snap of the ball. The finish was controversial; to say the least.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph, behind young QB Theo Landers, defeated Waterloo 53-49 and put itself deeper in the Top 10 mix. \u003C\/b\u003ETalk about about a tale of two halves. The Gryphons had three first downs and 64 yards in the first 30 minutes. Then they scored 41 across the final 30 minutes. The Gryphons have two overtime losses against teams with winning records and lost quarterback \u003Cb\u003EJames Roberts \u003C\/b\u003Eduring their other defeat. That's enough to warrant a look at No. 9 or 10, if mostly due to a lack of other lead-pipe locks.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's continues to leave it to the last minute.\u003C\/b\u003E A 50-yard touchdown by\u003Cb\u003E Lerone Robinson \u003C\/b\u003Efrom\u003Cb\u003E Kaleb Scott\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;in the final 20 seconds vaulted the eastern Huskies to a homecoming-spoiling 22-21 road win against St. Francis Xavier.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESayonara, Concordia. \u003C\/b\u003EThe Stingers lost 30-13 at home to Sherbrooke ... losing to a heretofore winless team seems to be happening a lot lately.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003ERegina will be sticking around for another week after beating Saskatchewan by a junior high school basketball score, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/canadawest.org\/sports\/fball\/2017-18\/boxscores\/20170929_ck5k.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E50-40\u003C\/a\u003E, with \u003Cb\u003ENoah Picton\u003C\/b\u003E doing Noah Picton things. While it was a big fireworks display in the Paris of the Prairies, what it says about the calibre of the teams depends on how much of one or both flavours of green Kool-Aid the observer has consumed since August.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal (4-0 RSEQ, bye week) \u003C\/b\u003E— The Carabins are not in action this weekend. Then again, neither were the Alouettes,\u003Ci\u003E hi-yoooo! \u003C\/i\u003E(The Calgary Stampeders routed Montreal 59-11 on Friday.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ECan the Carabins and or Rouge et Or play for Als the rest of the year? They might give a damn, at least.\u003C\/div\u003E— Joel Gasson (@JGasson_21) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JGasson_21\/status\/913977306753798144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs for bye weeks, Bronko Nagurski didn't get no bye weeks!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"YOUTUBE-iframe-video\" data-thumbnail-src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/NeHKEHIU5kA\/0.jpg\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NeHKEHIU5kA?feature=player_embedded\" width=\"480\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (5-0 Canada West, 31-17 road win against at No. 6 UBC) \u003C\/b\u003E— The Dinos are No. 1 as far as Eastern bastard is concerned, especially since they essentially have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on lock, barring several misfortunes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Dinos got their first big night out of Richard Sindani, the receiver who previously starred at Regina and had a look-see from the CFL Stampeders in the pre-season. Sindani (four receptions, 63 yards) was Calgary's third option in the passinig phase, but he made the chunk-yardage catches that set up back-to-back Dinos touchdowns when they surged ahead in the third quarter.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBy the way, you might think you are cool, but you'll never be \"Michael Klukas flipping the ball after catching a touchdown on a corner route\" cool.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ETOUCHDOWN \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Dinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Dinos\u003C\/a\u003E! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/klukatron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@klukatron\u003C\/a\u003E hauls in the 20-yard pass from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/adsinagra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@adsinagra\u003C\/a\u003E, and CGY leads 16-10 early 3rd \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hzpI91qm7j\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/hzpI91qm7j\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/913968104341872642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ETOUCHDOWN \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Dinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Dinos\u003C\/a\u003E! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/antwi_jeshrun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@antwi_jeshrun\u003C\/a\u003E with an 18-yard TD run, and it's 23-10 CGY with 5 to play in the 3rd \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wHKdX70RJH\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/wHKdX70RJH\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/913971775347630081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ETOUCHDOWN \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Dinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Dinos\u003C\/a\u003E! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/antwi_jeshrun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@antwi_jeshrun\u003C\/a\u003E with another - this one through the air from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/adsinagra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@adsinagra\u003C\/a\u003E - and it's 30-10 CGY late 3rd quarter \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7WVFzrqG8m\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/7WVFzrqG8m\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/913974885415665664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (3-1 RSEQ, 34-0 home win against McGill)\u003C\/b\u003E — Sus As the calendar flips to October, there is an impetus for Laval to make a big statement by routing McGill by about a bajillion points. But do we really need to see it? It's Laval. They'll have a huge say in how it plays out in the last three weeks of the season.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003E🏈 Démonstration défensive du \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/rougeetor?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#rougeetor\u003C\/a\u003E contre \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/McGillAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@McGillAthletics\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDétails du gain de 34-0 dimanche: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026gt;\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nEExYmWFcP\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/nEExYmWFcP\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026lt;\u0026lt;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoLaval?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoLaval\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qqsDmDleb6\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/qqsDmDleb6\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Rouge et Or (@rougeetor) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rougeetor\/status\/914603669106171911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 1, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003E🏈 MATHIEU BETTS! Sac du quart dans la zone des buts = touché de sûreté, 26-0 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/rougeetor?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#rougeetor\u003C\/a\u003E sur \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/McGillAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@McGillAthletics\u003C\/a\u003E (4:19 3e Q) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FootRSEQ?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#FootRSEQ\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoLaval?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoLaval\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/z67n20Jehq\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/z67n20Jehq\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Rouge et Or (@rougeetor) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rougeetor\/status\/914568798161850371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 1, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003ELaval D-halfbacks \u003Cb\u003EKevin McGee\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EGabriel Ouellet\u003C\/b\u003E sat out one-game suspensions after delivering hits to the head against Concordia on Sept. 25.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003EDÉCISION DU RSEQ: \u003Cbr \/\u003E-Aucune action vs. #36 du Rouge et Or sur T. Miller.\u003Cbr \/\u003E-Un match de suspension au #24 du R\u0026amp;O. Contact sur joueur vulnérable\u003C\/div\u003E— CA Sinotte (@CASinotte) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CASinotte\/status\/913797604684820481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (6-0 OUA, 29-13 road win against No. 5 Laurier)\u003C\/b\u003E — The running game is still a thing! Western averaged 7.8 yards per tote with Alex Taylor and Cedric Joseph offering the lightning-thunder combo while Chris Merchant put up totals one would have seen in Norman, Okla., circa 1975, with 109 yards passing and 143 rushing. Laurier's Michael Knevel had 317 yards, but it was an empty-calories 300 with a lot of it coming on underneath routes.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ELaurier moving the ball through the air but the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WesternMustangs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@WesternMustangs\u003C\/a\u003E playing soft hoping the clock runs down\u003C\/div\u003E— Morris Dalla Costa (@MoDaCoatLFPress) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MoDaCoatLFPress\/status\/914210174575022080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WesternMustangs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@WesternMustangs\u003C\/a\u003E win huge game over Laurier 29-13. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ldnont?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#ldnont\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/oua?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#oua\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Morris Dalla Costa (@MoDaCoatLFPress) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MoDaCoatLFPress\/status\/914213055025831936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EFrom the looks it, the 'Stangs defence made Laurier relatively one-dimensional, with defensive back Bleska Kambabma causing the victory-sealing takeaway. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (4-1 OUA, 29-13 home defeat against No. 4 Western) \u003C\/b\u003E— The Golden Hawks will probably be No. 5 and holding, since everyone behind them either lost, played lesser competition or doesn't have the overall body of work.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ECongrats to \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WLUAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@WLUAthletics\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KurleighG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@KurleighG\u003C\/a\u003E with his 18 catches he moves into second in the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OUAsport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@OUAsport\u003C\/a\u003E record books for most catches in a game\u003C\/div\u003E— Jason (@JHagholm1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JHagholm1\/status\/914235659333902336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EExtra cold tubs might be in Laurier wideout \u003Cb\u003EKurleigh Gittens Jr.\u003C\/b\u003E's future after making 18 receptions for 174 yards. If memory serves, the single-game high of 19 is held by another Golden Hawk,\u003Cb\u003E André Talbot\u003C\/b\u003E, who played in the late 1990s.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC (3-2 Canada West, 31-17 home defeat agianst Calgary)\u003C\/b\u003E — Do the T-Birds get dropped after a decisive home loss against the best team in the country? They probably should hold their spot, since they were competitive in three out of four quarters.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E6 degrees of parity, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CanadaWest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@CanadaWest\u003C\/a\u003E 🏈 style:\u003Cbr \/\u003EAB beats MB who beat UofR who beat UBC who beat SK who beat AB\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E5 weeks in, only UofC is unscathed\u003C\/div\u003E— Brian Swane (@BrianSwane) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrianSwane\/status\/913996355672039426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETrue, Regina did beat UBC, and Regina's results against Calgary and Saskatchewan are comparable to the Thunderbirds', give and take a few points and where the games were played. But Regina lost last week to winless Manitoba which proceeded to lose at home to winless Alberta. That looks pretty bad. As for UBC's blackout uniforms, those are just bad-ass.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EIt's Black Out night tonight (6:30 pm) at Thunderbird Stadium. UBC dons new black jerseys tonight vs. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UCDinos\u003C\/a\u003E ! Here's a sneak peak! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@ubctbirds\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USports_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@USports_FB\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UqKUBDiPKL\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/UqKUBDiPKL\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Howard Tsumura (@htsumura) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/htsumura\/status\/913918508118925312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheTrueQB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@TheTrueQB\u003C\/a\u003E ▶️ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Tha_RisingStar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Tha_RisingStar\u003C\/a\u003E 💣\u003Cbr \/\u003E'Birds on the board at 'Black Out'.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BirdsvsDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#BirdsvsDinos\u003C\/a\u003E | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBirdsGo?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoBirdsGo\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NtG1y7rkgM\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/NtG1y7rkgM\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds\/status\/913949375868444672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003ELooking ahead, second place in Canada West will likely come down to the Rams-Thunderbirds on Oct. 28. Whoever wins would host the following week.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (4-1 OUA, 32-2 home win against York)\u003C\/b\u003E — One Lyons was better than 47 Lions, since \u003Cb\u003EJordan Lyons\u003C\/b\u003E rushed for 186 yards at 7.4 per tote. And\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EJackson White\u003C\/b\u003E had his first 300-yard passing day. Oh, and the Mac defence has now had four full games where it kept the opponents' offence out of the end zone. Maybe that should have been mentioned first.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMcMaster is at Toronto on a short week before Thanksgiving. So is that drive for five? Or five without any drives?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EConcordia (2-3 RSEQ, 30-13 loss home loss against Sherbrooke)\u003C\/b\u003E — Take it away, Sarah McLachlan! \u003Ci\u003EI will remember you ...\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🐝🏈- FINAL \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/PKgGbTtRfX\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/PKgGbTtRfX\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Concordia Stingers (@The_Stingers) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/The_Stingers\/status\/914241248621363200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ELe Vert \u0026amp; Or brise la glace \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QMM4o7tzJh\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/QMM4o7tzJh\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Sébastien Lajoie (@sebastienlajoie) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sebastienlajoie\/status\/914285517851815941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 1, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EThe Stingers will drop out of the rankings after losing against a heretofore winless team. This seems to be happening a lot lately!\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERegina (3-2 CW, 50-40 road win against at Saskatchewan.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Likely to scoot up to the vacant No. 8 spot after rolling up 50 points and 613 yards against their provincial rival. \u003Cb\u003ENoah Picton \u003C\/b\u003Ewas uber-efficient with 11.0 adjusted net yards \/ pass, throwing five touchdown passes without giving up an interception or a sack.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ERams beat Huskies, improve to 3-2!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E▶️ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/npicton4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@npicton4\u003C\/a\u003E: 33-44, 384 yards, 5 TD passes, 1 TD rush\u003Cbr \/\u003E▶️ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/At_simon10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@At_simon10\u003C\/a\u003E: 18-163, 1 TD rush, 1 TD catch \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/RgJp7Ms0cd\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/RgJp7Ms0cd\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— U. of Regina Rams (@reginarams) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/reginarams\/status\/913982416464764928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EThe Rams and the Huskies combined for 90 points, 76 first downs and 1,143 yards, so of course that means embedding a clip of the victory-sealing strip-sack.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-video\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ENicholas Dheilly with the biggest defensive play of the game and the Rams get the ball back in Saskatchewan territory with 2 minutes to go! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/imnST7Z5Gl\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/imnST7Z5Gl\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— U. of Regina Rams (@reginarams) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/reginarams\/status\/913975328246075392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EOkay, fine, one offensive highlight, where Picton showed great self-awareness to throw a touchdown pass an instant before crossing the line of scrimmage on a scramble.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-video\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ERams with another touchdown! Noah Picton with his fifth TD pass of the game, this time to Schienbein! Rams up 43-32 in the fourth. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9P5Q6hIrRe\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/9P5Q6hIrRe\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— U. of Regina Rams (@reginarams) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/reginarams\/status\/913969044239220736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's (5-0 AUS, 22-21 road win against St. Francis Xavier)\u003C\/b\u003E — The hockey cliché for a player who is getting scoring chances with no goals to show for it is, \"all Swedish and no Finnish.\" The Huskies, once again, found themselves behind on the scoreboard and ahead on the stat sheet late in the game. The culprits? Having an interception inside St. FX's 20 and having a 12-play drive produce only a 20-yard field goal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYet, when faced with needing to cover 97 yards in 86 seconds, they made it happen. The winning TD was an all-or-nothing, since it came on a second-and-12.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EHuskies earn 22-21 come-from-behind victory over X-Men - Saint Mary's University \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tIpo2cRMMh\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/tIpo2cRMMh\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SMUHuskies\/status\/914266485438152705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EQB Kaleb Scott picks up \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SubwayAtlantic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@SubwayAtlantic\u003C\/a\u003E player of the game with 288 yards passing, 68 yards rushing in 22-21 win over STFX \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KfdD6X3FTx\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/KfdD6X3FTx\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SMUHuskies\/status\/914228591201746944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 30, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWith Concordia losing, Guelph should have the inside track on No. 10.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (3-3 OUA, 53-49 road win against Waterloo)\u003C\/b\u003E — Guelph's been in too many of these, since this is at least the fifth time dating to 2009 that the Gryphons were in a game where the losing team scored at least 39 points. They simply wore out Waterloo through veteran rusher \u003Cb\u003EJohnny Augustine\u003C\/b\u003E (who had one yard at halftime and finished with 91, including the winning 22-yard scoring rush with 23 seconds left) and thrust-into-the-starting-job\u003Cb\u003E Theo Landers\u003C\/b\u003E responding by making plays with his arms and legs. As noted, two of their losses were in overtime and the other was to a decidedly better team.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOttawa (4-2 OUA, 33-30 overtime defeat at home against Carleton)\u003C\/b\u003E — Given the emotional tumult of Ottawa's week with the death of \u003Cb\u003ELoïc Kayembe\u003C\/b\u003E last weekend, and the reality overtime is a crapshoot, there is a case for giving the Gee-Gees partial credit. Carleton, which got the last-play win on a quarterback keeper by \u003Cb\u003EMichael Arruda\u003C\/b\u003E (who was at the Gee-Gees training camp and left after a week last year — ouch), is better than its record. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut those who didn't have the Gee-Gees in will say a loss is a loss is a loss. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPerhaps the hell of it for Ottawa with this latest Panda heartbreaker was that the football cosmos gifted the Gee-Gees with a late break. The reason it went to overtime was because Carleton kicker\/punter\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EMichael Domagala\u003C\/b\u003E flubbed a punt with 20 seconds left and the Ravens up by three after forcing a turnover on downs. That created the opportunity for Ottawa\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ELewis Ward \u003C\/b\u003Eto force overtime with a 45-yard field goal at the buzzer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThen it all reversed in the second mini-game, when a holding call wiped out a touchdown by Ottawa running back \u003Cb\u003EBryce Vieira\u003C\/b\u003E. Two plays later, Vieira was stacked up trying to leap over the pile. So Ottawa got three points, so Carleton could win with a touchdown instead of needing one to match. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan (2-3 CW, home defeat against Regina.)\u003C\/b\u003E — The Huskies have been outscored 35-8 in their last two fourth quarters, and they have a 42-15 edge in third quarters. The glass-half-full takeaway from that is this is a well-coached team that makes the halftime adjustments, but might not have the athleticism to sustain it across an entire second half.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWaterloo (4-2 OUA, 53-49 home defeat against Guelph)\u003C\/b\u003E — Waterloo finishes on the road, with a short week before a Thursday game at Queen's, followed by a visit to Ottawa. Their playoff position isn't quite secure and honestly there could be a four-team pile-up of 4-4 squads for the last three spots.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENot sure how often this happens, but a two-play touchdown drive is still a two-out from the perspective of a defence. Waterloo was fighting the current the whole second half. Guelph got within six points through an 11-play touchdown drive to get within six. Waterloo put in its option wunderkind\u003Cb\u003E Tre Ford \u003C\/b\u003Eto shift momentum, which worked too well with Ford completing a 65-yard pass to set up his touchdown on the next play. Guelph went right back out and went 66 yards over seven plays to get right back in striking distance.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EStill, it took until the final 30 seconds for Guelph to get the decisive score.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESt. Francis Xavier (2-3 AUS, 22-21 home defeat against No. 10 Saint Mary's) \u003C\/b\u003E— The X-Men blocking group got \u003Cb\u003EJordan Socholotiuk\u003C\/b\u003E going, as he was a one-man show with 32 rushes for 210 yards. But SMU has Kaleb Scott.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPlease feel feelings for \u003Cb\u003EKeiran Burnham\u003C\/b\u003E, the X-Men punter. Burnham booted a 48-yarder into touch in the final two minutes to pin Saint Mary's.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7726313592238874073\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/09\/football-calgary-ubc-western-laurier.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7726313592238874073"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7726313592238874073"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/09\/football-calgary-ubc-western-laurier.html","title":"Football: Calgary and Western make statements with decisive road wins, Regina drops 50 on the Huskies; Guelph guts out win "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/NeHKEHIU5kA\/default.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5919498891823123902"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-27T18:19:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-11-05T15:26:22.144-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"In For A Dozen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Pan Game"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recruiting"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Roy Rana"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ryerson Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"In For A Dozen: Loïc Kayembe, heat warnings, a pox on Panda Game profanity and a kickoff-reduction rule"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003EStuff that really should presented in podcast form, but let's not kid ourselves: you don't have time to listen! Instead it gets presented in written word format. How Web 2.0! In For A Dozen will be a weekly middle-of-the-week ritual that strives to put university sports in the context of a world where one can no longer Stick To Sports.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIt really beggars processing that Ottawa defensive end Loïc Kayembe is dead and his teammates are carrying on by trying to prepare for the Panda Game, which will be in front of a crowd that dwarfs their usual audience by a factor of 10.\u003C\/b\u003E One day the 24-year-old Kayembe was playing a football game. The next day the Congolese-born Montrealer was gone, leaving a void in dozens of lives. There's no predicting or extrapolating how the Gee-Gees will respond once they return to competition.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EJoin us before 12:50pm at TD Place on Saturday. We will be honouring Loic with a moment of silence prior to the start of the game. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LK49?src=hash\"\u003E#LK49\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— uOttawa Gee-Gees (@uOttawaGeeGees) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/uOttawaGeeGees\/status\/913063438729056256\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EA GoFundMe to help pay for Kayembe's memorial service reached its goal inside of a day.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EClick here to support In Memory of Loic Mukendi Kayembe organized by Stephanie Asenso \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hECtsD5A7z\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/hECtsD5A7z\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Mr.Ranger17 (@FrankSpanti17) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FrankSpanti17\/status\/912489060433883137\"\u003ESeptember 26, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHindsight is 20\/20, but it feels like 37 C.\u003C\/b\u003E It was stinking-hot in Ontario during the last two football Saturdays, with temperatures ranging above 30 C and high humidity, which was exacerbated by the sun's warming effect on rubber-pelleted FieldTurf playing surfaces.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENo doubt every team took every precaution to make sure players were hydrated and had some shade on the sidelines. One does wonder — and please don't read this as finger-pointing — how humid it has to be before teams move game times away from the hottest time of day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELogistically, could there be some edict from on high to push a game times to late afternoon? It's one variable that can be controlled.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe Panda Game is going to have a higher attendance than some teams will play in front of all season, again.\u003C\/b\u003E Both Carleton and Ottawa sold out their ticket allotments three days in advance.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EOver 22k tickets have been sold for the Panda Game. Ottawa \u0026amp; Carleton have sold out their allotment. Only place to get tickets is \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TD_Place\"\u003E@TD_Place\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E— AJ Jakubec (@AJonSports) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AJonSports\/status\/913071923885731842\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EOf course, what will be different is the sensitive situation with a death in the Gee-Gees football family. It's probably not going to stop Carleton supporters chanting, \"Fuck you Ottawa U\" and \"what the fuck's a Gee-Gee?\" \u003Ci\u003Ead nauseam\u003C\/i\u003E at the uOttawa team and students, with Gee-Gees supporters riposting in (un)kind with F-bombs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI have never been able to get on board with that being cute or endearing, which is how it seems to be portrayed by the schools and the Ottawa media. This isn't about political correctness; it's just about preferring creativity and originality to tacky, trite tribalism:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003Ethat's the best you can come up with?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe chants are going to happen, but it will seem tone-deaf, please excuse the wet-blanketing. At least Ottawa is the home team so it gets the north side of TD Place where the player benches are, while Carleton will get the south side. That could defuse any tension.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBasketball update: Tanor Ngom from Senegal, who comes advertised as a 7-foot-2 post player with NBA potential, is headed to Ryerson. That ... that seems like a good get. \u003C\/b\u003ENgom has\u0026nbsp; shown enough promise to represent Africa in the Basketball Without Borders event, and it probably doesn't require much exposition to explain that having him pick Ryerson over a D1 high-major down south speaks to the reputation of the OUA's Big Two.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RyersonRamsMBB\"\u003E@RyersonRamsMBB\u003C\/a\u003E bring in 7 recruits including 7'2\" Tanor Ngom, projected future NBA'er from Senegal 🇸🇳 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/weRrams?src=hash\"\u003E#weRrams\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E📝: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uhhYIYbewD\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/uhhYIYbewD\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KzsLBVje82\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/KzsLBVje82\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Ryerson Rams (@ryersonrams) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ryersonrams\/status\/913104786127556610\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RyersonRamsMBB\"\u003E@RyersonRamsMBB\u003C\/a\u003E add 7-foot-2 Tanor Ngom from Dakar, Senegal for the upcoming season. RU began recruiting him after camp in Senegal in May.\u003C\/div\u003E— Ben Waldman (@BenjWaldman) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BenjWaldman\/status\/913109466387816453\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENo prospect has ever missed a shot on YouTube, but here is Ngom in competition. It's hard to glean much about his offensive game, since it's mostly finishing uncontested dunks against much smaller players. But he picks up a point guard on a switch!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"YOUTUBE-iframe-video\" data-thumbnail-src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/TVeJxrAHS1U\/0.jpg\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TVeJxrAHS1U?feature=player_embedded\" width=\"480\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the state-sponsored hostility toward Black, Muslim and Hispanic populations in the U.S., the time is now to advertise that Canada is a good place to study and play sports. It won't happen, though.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIf you care about university hockey, take some vicarious pride in San Jose Sharks wing Joel Ward, who said he might bring the protest movement against inequality to the NHL, being an Atlantic University Sport alumnus.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;That's not the reason why Ward is considering speaking out, but his four seasons with the UPEI Panthers was obviously a different environment than most NHL players get in their early 20s.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EJoel Ward not ruling out taking a knee during the national anthem. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0aVvhq9dxS\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/0aVvhq9dxS\u003C\/a\u003E (via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GackleReport\"\u003E@GackleReport\u003C\/a\u003E) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3bWcB6lDQc\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/3bWcB6lDQc\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/iancmclaren\/status\/912811439362072576\"\u003ESeptember 26, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ECould kneel for both the Canadian and American anthems. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zl9IpjuNtO\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/zl9IpjuNtO\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Patrick O'Sullivan (@realPOSULLIVAN) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/realPOSULLIVAN\/status\/913158806187716609\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003ETo those who call taking a knee symbolism, what do you think standing for the anthem is? Symbolism is important and should be chosen carefully.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOne digression from sticking to sports: Never underestimate America's ability to have a sports scandal conventionally come up when everyone should be mad about something else.\u003C\/b\u003E The FBI dragnet into corruption in college basketball, which has already taken down \u003Cb\u003ERick Pitino\u003C\/b\u003E at Louisville and is likely to ensnare further high-major D1 coaches, defys downplaying. When the FBI is looking into bribery and kickbacks, it goes well beyond \"what's always happened.\" And if it brings an end to the Shamateur Sports Industrial Complex in the States, so much the better.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt the same time, this taking up time in the conversation when the real scandal is having a president who, at worst, is willing to build a political base on white supremacy, and attained the office after an election that involved serious interference from a Hostile Foreign Power who shall remain nameless. What should really be the outrage that prompts a great reckoning?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(Whether HFP's interference swung the outcome last November cannot be established, but the likelihood of one candidate winning Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all by 1 per cent is extremely low. Also, it's been shown HFP tries to interfere with everyone's national elections.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EIt's no coincidence that Trump picked a fight with NFL players and Russian trolls used it as an opportunity to seed division on social media\u003C\/div\u003E— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JYSexton\/status\/913166719383990272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThe Russians got exactly what they paid for, and it doesn't matter if he passes a single bill as long as he keeps the wound bleeding.\u003C\/div\u003E— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JYSexton\/status\/913167350748368898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThat awkward moment when the Russian government forgets to turn off location services on their disinformation network Twitter accounts. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SqV2eArN7g\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/SqV2eArN7g\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Vets Against Trump (@commondefense) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/commondefense\/status\/913119245835304960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPoint being, is the biggest thing happening really a bunch of coaches being glorified bagmen?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETen years ago, the American media seemed to be a lot more interested in pushing people's buttons over\u003Cb\u003E Barry Bonds \u003C\/b\u003Ebreaking the home run record with a chemical boost than President \u003Cb\u003EGeorge W. Bush \u003C\/b\u003Einvading Iraq on false pretenses. And the early 1920s might be more remembered for the Chicago \"Black Sox\" dumping a World Series than the Teapot Dome scandal, and so on and so on.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECall this 6B. It's high-larious to see MLB's water-bearers make Mark McGwire the go-to guy for a testimonial about baseball's new crop of sluggers.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;It definitely reads like an attempt to rehabilitate the Great American Home Run Chase of\u0026nbsp; 1998, when McGwire and\u003Cb\u003E Sammy Sosa\u003C\/b\u003E, both goosed on steroids, shattered Roger Maris' seasonal standard. It's also funny since Bonds \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/news\/giancarlo-stanton-credits-barry-bonds-helping-monster-season-045929233.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eactually coached \u003Cb\u003EGiancarlo Stanton \u003C\/b\u003Efor a season in Miami\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-video\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EEven Mark McGwire is in awe of what Aaron Judge is doing \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Yankees?src=hash\"\u003E#Yankees\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Padres?src=hash\"\u003E#Padres\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Athletics?src=hash\"\u003E#Athletics\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZXtfAxpQKa\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/ZXtfAxpQKa\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLBNetworkRadio\/status\/913159783036923904\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMcGwire gets that, because white privilege, and Bonds never will. One can see the not-so-subtle attempt to convince people that the 70 homers McGwire hit in '98 is the real record. Either every stat from the 1993-2003 ArenaBall era is valid, or all are invalid.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBack to our bailiwick; contact to the head is a \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ci\u003Etopic du semaine\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cb\u003E after video circulated of some of the shots Concordia's skill players took from Laval defenders last Sunday. \u003C\/b\u003EThe one hit on a Stingers receiver would have been a targeting foul in the NCAA and resulted in ejection for the offending defender.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EDear \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RSEQ1\"\u003E@RSEQ1\u003C\/a\u003E officials. Protect your players from head-to-head hits. Signed, Logic. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qPAEjydn1t\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/qPAEjydn1t\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Jim Mullin (@Jim_Mullin) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jim_Mullin\/status\/912772343830683648\"\u003ESeptember 26, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EPeople have received one-game suspensions for far, far less. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESpeaking of Concordia ... Shrine Bowl week!\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EIt's not often that Georges Laraque is not the biggest man in the room. Stinger Maurice Simba joins him to promote the 2017 Shrine Bowl. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QnTvQMQudo\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/QnTvQMQudo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Concordia Stingers (@The_Stingers) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/The_Stingers\/status\/913053605191700480\"\u003ESeptember 27, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKickoffs are on the endangered special teams play list. \u003C\/b\u003EOn The Athletic, there is a non-paywalled piece by\u003Cb\u003E Nicole Auerbach \u003C\/b\u003Edetailing how the Ivy League's experimental kickoff rule has reduced brain injuries among players. Brain injuries happen more often on kickoffs than on scrimmage plays due to the speed with which players collide.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Ivies moved the kickoff spot up to the 40-yard line, reducing the number of returnable kicks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EFollowing up on my kickoffs story last week -- What the Ivy League found in 2016 when it moved kickoffs up 5 yards: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/go2P4PyjP8\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/go2P4PyjP8\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NicoleAuerbach\/status\/912654529002434560\"\u003ESeptember 26, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EMea culpa; I've long beefed about U Sports placing kickoffs on the 45-yard line instead of the 35, as in the CFL, without giving enough space to player safety. Too often, it contributes to a snowball effect for the straggler teams; returner gets downed shy of the 20, offence goes short run-incomplete pass for a two-and-out, and the defence is right back out trying to defend a short field. But that's a small thing compared to making football safer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat said, the kickoff cannot be eliminated entirely, since coaches still need the option of trying to recover a short kickoff. This is a topic perhaps better expanded upon at a later date, but here's a modest proposal:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKickoff to start each half;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKickoff after the first touchdown of the second and fourth quarters, if it comes before the 10-minute mark (10:00 to play). \u003C\/b\u003EThis allows for a chance to flip field position shortly after changing ends and a chance to recover a short kickoff. It can also be woven into the mid-quarter media timeout. Granted, it's an arbitrary cut-off point, but you want any rule to be easy enough for competitors and officials to remember.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKickoff after any score after the three-minute warning of each half. \u003C\/b\u003EThat's the CFL and national rule in U Sports. There could be a waiver on it if the lead is 25 or more points. Twenty-five seems like a good number since most coaches would concede defeat by that point.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPossession begins at the 35 after a field goal and on the 25 after a touchdown in all other scenarios (this is negotiable).\u003C\/b\u003E Do more coaches try for the first down\/touchdown if it helps them on the other side of the ball?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003EThe Laurier-Waterloo game (as it were) had 13 kickoffs. With my suggestion, there would have been \u003Ci\u003Ethree.\u003C\/i\u003E (Start of each half, and after a Laurier touchdown with 27 seconds left in the second quarter).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/oua.ca\/sports\/fball\/2017-18\/boxscores\/20170916_txyg.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOn Sept. 16, when Waterloo won that 45-43 scorefest against Carleton, the game had 17 kickoffs\u003C\/a\u003E. This rule would have cut it to eight (start of each half, two after touchdowns early in the second and fourth quarters, four after scores in the last three minutes).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThose are cherry-picked convenience samples, granted, but there's probably a minimum 50-per-cent reduction of the most dangerous play in the game.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAhead of No. 4 Western at No. 5 Laurier on Saturday, the key stat to fixate upon is probably the touchdown-to-interception ratios of the purple powerhouses' passers.\u003C\/b\u003E It is 8-to-7 for the Mustangs' \u003Cb\u003EChris Merchant\u003C\/b\u003E and change-up quarterback \u003Cb\u003EStevenson Bone\u003C\/b\u003E, compared to the 10-to-3 for the Golden Hawks'\u003Cb\u003E Michael Knevel \u003C\/b\u003Eand backup \u003Cb\u003ETristan Arndt\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIn terms of story and setting in Canada West, UBC needs to defeat on Calgary on Friday. \u003C\/b\u003EThat's not to say it will happen, since the Dinos offence is the Golden State Warriors on fake grass in its capacity to go to another option when one is nullified. If Calgary wins, it's pretty much wrapped up home-field advantage straight through the Hardy and Mitchell Bowl playoffs. The Thunderbirds would wrest away the first-place tiebreaker if they win, although they would also have to win out to get top spot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPoint being, the compact on-campus confines of Thunderbird Stadium \u0026gt;\u0026nbsp; utilitarian McMahon Stadium. That's all. Both Calgary's\u003Cb\u003E Adam Sinagra \u003C\/b\u003Eand UBC's \u003Cb\u003EMichael O'Connor \u003C\/b\u003Ehave run hot and cold, and whoever makes the fewest damaging mistakes will probably get the W.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHandicapping the Hec Crighton.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;At this writing, Saint Mary's dual threat\u003Cb\u003E Kaleb Scott \u003C\/b\u003Eis akin to Louisville's\u003Cb\u003E Lamar Jackson\u003C\/b\u003E down south in 2016: the eye-popping yardage totals, the wow factor, the drawback of playing for a team that doesn't have a big national profile, relatively speaking. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's hard to ignore Scott, and AUS has not had a Hec winner since\u003Cb\u003E Erik Glavic \u003C\/b\u003Ein 2007. An Atlantic conference player also won in 1997, '87 and '77, incidentally.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESticking with strained similes, Laurier is like Penn State — do you pump the passer's tires or the rusher's? \u003Cb\u003EKnevel \u003C\/b\u003Ehas an adjusted net yards average of 9.89 and his floor is likely a 2,500-yard regular season, presuming good health. But\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ELevondre Gordon \u003C\/b\u003Eis also a beast. Western's \u003Cb\u003EAlex Taylor\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;will have the career achievement case.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe big four's quarterbacks — \u003Cb\u003ESam Caron\u003C\/b\u003E of Montréal, \u003Cb\u003EHugo Richard\u003C\/b\u003E of Laval, O'Connor of UBC and Sinagra of Calgary — are not really standing out in any way.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5919498891823123902\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/09\/in-for-dozen-loic-kayembe-heat-warnings.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5919498891823123902"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5919498891823123902"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/09\/in-for-dozen-loic-kayembe-heat-warnings.html","title":"In For A Dozen: Loïc Kayembe, heat warnings, a pox on Panda Game profanity and a kickoff-reduction rule"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/TVeJxrAHS1U\/default.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8289261312657283109"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-12T13:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-12T13:21:36.884-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Montreal new No. 1, Laurier joins Top 5 and who voted for Acadia? Was it Randy?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"One man with courage makes a majority, and where I come from — Canada — we reward courage. Montréal is the new No. 1 team in the nation, but not unanimously. Take a bow, \u003Cb\u003EGord Randall \u003C\/b\u003Eof KROWN Countdown U, for being the one to give the Dinos a first-place vote.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe ballot went as follows:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-syVSJgmiKy0\/WbgU4wYfMoI\/AAAAAAAADPE\/_I0tSLNPsfE4NJhy__AelncJWIYj-tIfQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/top10.week3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"480\" data-original-width=\"706\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-syVSJgmiKy0\/WbgU4wYfMoI\/AAAAAAAADPE\/_I0tSLNPsfE4NJhy__AelncJWIYj-tIfQCLcBGAs\/s640\/top10.week3.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ESource: U Sports\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere's two games with down-ballot implications this week. Ottawa is at McMaster for a Brass In Pocket Bowl (since, you know, one of them is a pretender). Saskatchewan and coach \u003Cb\u003EScott Flory\u003C\/b\u003E get a major test at UBC.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EHere's a sampling of other ballots and power rankings from across the land:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Usports?src=hash\"\u003E#Usports\u003C\/a\u003E FB Top-10: \u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Calgary\u003Cbr \/\u003E2. Montreal\u003Cbr \/\u003E3. Laval\u003Cbr \/\u003E4. Western\u003Cbr \/\u003E5. Regina\u003Cbr \/\u003E6. Laurier\u003Cbr \/\u003E7. Sask\u003Cbr \/\u003E8. UBC\u003Cbr \/\u003E9. McMaster\u003Cbr \/\u003E10. St. Mary's\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UAgree?src=hash\"\u003E#UAgree\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/div\u003E— Gord R. (@GARandall) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GARandall\/status\/906961837526155264\"\u003ESeptember 10, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KrownCountdownU\"\u003E@KrownCountdownU\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USports?src=hash\"\u003E#USports\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Power7?src=hash\"\u003E#Power7\u003C\/a\u003E for week 3. Il y a une nouvelle équipe en première place. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9RSffMTJyZ\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/9RSffMTJyZ\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Jim Mullin (@Jim_Mullin) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jim_Mullin\/status\/906725129803112448\"\u003ESeptember 10, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USports_FB\"\u003E@USports_FB\u003C\/a\u003E top ten -\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Montreal\u003Cbr \/\u003E2. Calgary\u003Cbr \/\u003E3. Laval\u003Cbr \/\u003E4. Western\u003Cbr \/\u003E5. Laurier\u003Cbr \/\u003E6. Saskatchewan\u003Cbr \/\u003E7. Regina\u003Cbr \/\u003E8. Ottawa\u003Cbr \/\u003E9. Waterloo\u003Cbr \/\u003E10. UBC\u003C\/div\u003E— Casey Dulson (@Casey_Dulson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Casey_Dulson\/status\/907595046731567105\"\u003ESeptember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EFirst the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carabins\"\u003E@Carabins\u003C\/a\u003E take down \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rougeetor\"\u003E@rougeetor\u003C\/a\u003E 21-16 \u0026amp; now they take over their spot atop the Football Power Rankings \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TxrfkYjS2H\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/TxrfkYjS2H\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— CUSN (@CUSNetwork) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CUSNetwork\/status\/907313613639180291\"\u003ESeptember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor what it is worth, a quick explanation of my ballot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal (2-0 RSEQ, vs. Sherbrooke\/Fri.)\u003C\/b\u003E — They beat The Man, so they are The Man.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (2-0 CW, at Manitoba\/Sat.) \u003C\/b\u003E— A three-score margin against Regina at home \u0026gt; Laval's one-score margin of defeat at Montréal..\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (2-1 RSEQ, bye week) \u003C\/b\u003E— See No. 2. By the way, Rouge et Or coach\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EGlen Constantin\u003C\/b\u003E is giving his team the equivalent of a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.journaldequebec.com\/2017\/09\/10\/thibodeau-baptise-dans-le-feu-de-laction\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethree-day weekend during its bye week\u003C\/a\u003E. Odd numbers are unwieldy for scheduling, but the \"eight over 10\" format the easternmost conferences are using is probably going to pay a dividend later in the season.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (3-0 OUA, at Windsor\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Guelph: \"We scored 82 points against Windsor.\" Western: \"Hold our beers.\"\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERegina (1-1 CW, vs. Alberta\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — As long as they have \u003Cb\u003ENoah Picton\u003C\/b\u003E, they can play with almost anybody.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (2-0 OUA, at Queen's\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — One team whose strength might have been taken on faith a little, and if Saskatchewan had played more credible opposition I might have faded the Golden Hawks. Anyway, Laurier has a good litmus test against Queen's (0-2), which is facing a must-win, is at home after a bye and might also have the emotional lift from the honouring 25th anniversary of their 1992 national championship.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan (2-0 CW, at UBC\/Sat.) —\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;The next two weeks are a gauge of whether Canada West is a honest-to-goodness four-horse race. And it's not just how Saskatchewan represents itself at UBC and at Calgary, but whether they get through unscathed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (1-1 OUA, vs. Ottawa\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Restricting Western to fewer than 375 yards is no mean feat. The Marauders need to find a quarterback like yesterday. If frosh QB\u003Cb\u003E Jackson White \u003C\/b\u003Eis The Future, how long do they wait before making him the present?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's (2-0 AUS, vs. Acadia\/Fri.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Huskies receiver \u003Cb\u003EArchelaus Jack \u003C\/b\u003Emight be an early leader in the national rookie of the year conversation, says the dumb guy who doesn't listen to the podcasts that probably called it a month ago. Jack, a Northern Football Conference alumnus, was a Saskatchewan Roughriders practice squad player last season — well, who wasn't? — and is off to a great start at SMU.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOttawa (3-0 OUA, at McMaster\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Two of the four teams chosen from OUA are all defence, middling offence. When did the league become the Quebec conference from five years ago?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe need to talk about ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC (1-1 CW, vs. Sask.\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — If the ranking went to 11, then the Thunderbirds would be shooed in. There are scarcely few teams as athletic as UBC, which reaping the reward of a few currents, such as renewed investment in the team and the bumper crop of talent in the province thanks to the \"Four-Down Immersion Program\" put into practice by many high school teams in the Lower Mainland. But right now they are just .500 after two games, with a clear loss.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWaterloo (3-0 OUA, at Carleton\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — The lost their Stassen-esque base after winning. It was tough to overlook this triptych: they defeated Toronto by less than a touchdown; Toronto defeated Windsor at home by a touchdown; and Windsor, well, our heart goes out to Windsor. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo I had to bump out the Warriors. Ottawa has wins against at least one eventual playoff team. Sheer process of elimination suggests Guelph (1-2) and\/or Queen's (0-2) will qualify.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (1-2 OUA, at U of T\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — They have the capability to earn home field for an OUA quarter-final, since this season is headed toward some mass pile-up of 5-3 and 4-4 teams. It's just that there's a distaste here for rewarding teams for \"almost wins\" or meaningless slaughters, and that's all Guelph has played so far.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8289261312657283109\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/09\/football-top-10-tracker-week-4.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8289261312657283109"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8289261312657283109"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/09\/football-top-10-tracker-week-4.html","title":"Football: Montreal new No. 1, Laurier joins Top 5 and who voted for Acadia? Was it Randy?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-syVSJgmiKy0\/WbgU4wYfMoI\/AAAAAAAADPE\/_I0tSLNPsfE4NJhy__AelncJWIYj-tIfQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/top10.week3.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7077024032233525250"},"published":{"$t":"2017-07-13T22:47:00.005-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-07-14T11:42:12.858-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Axemen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Bears"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lancers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"McMaster Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mounties"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Regina Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Warriors"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Ultimate U Sports all-star team — one player per school for 27 positions"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Oit2QtTW4T4\/WWD4xR2W5sI\/AAAAAAAADO0\/i0Ufczw22vwMCdqSrJDux0tlvkae2FN9ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Akiem%2BHicks%252C%2BRams%2Band%2BBears.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"480\" data-original-width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Oit2QtTW4T4\/WWD4xR2W5sI\/AAAAAAAADO0\/i0Ufczw22vwMCdqSrJDux0tlvkae2FN9ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Akiem%2BHicks%252C%2BRams%2Band%2BBears.jpeg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAkiem Hicks with the Regina Rams in 2011 and with the CFL's Chicago Bears in 2016, when he had seven sacks.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EThere are 27 football-playing universities across our country. There are also, give or take a special teams selection, 27 spots to fill when an all-star team is chosen.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA fun writing exercise — read: it's summer and there's not a lot going on — was hatched from that numerical coincidence. Pick an all-star team drawing from the past 40-some years of the university game while using\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003Eonly one player from each team\u003C\/i\u003E. No loading the lines with Lavals (any number of CFL all-star linemen), or stacking the team with 'Stangs (do you pick two-time Hec Crighton Trophy winner\u003Cb\u003E Tim Tindale \u003C\/b\u003Ewho went on to NFL glory with the Buffalo Bills or record-setting receiver \u003Cb\u003EAndy Fantuz\u003C\/b\u003E, who won a receiving title in the CFL?)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETalk about a Sophie's Choice, although this does not purport to be some all-time all-star team. Leaving out defunct programs (or the departed, hey there Simon Fraser) means being unable to select a legit legend such as \u003Cb\u003ETony Proudfoot\u003C\/b\u003E, since he played at the University of New Brunswick.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother controlled variable was confining choices to a loosely defined modern era. A hard-line historian type would say the modern era begins in 1965 with the establishment of the Vanier Cup. Or 1967, the centennial year, when the format went from an invitational to a four-team playoff, 47 years before the U.S. finally got one. As a habitual goalpost-mover, I'll slide the start of the modern era to some point around 1971, when the Old Four (Queen's, Western, McGill and University of Toronto) was phased out and the current four-conference alignment began taking shape in earnest.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EWithout further ado, here's a squad that reflects the best of each and every program from Acadia on the east coast to to UBC on the west coast and all points in between.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESpecial thanks for this post to Jim Mullin, who was great with putting forward some 1970s players.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDefence\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive end — Leroy Blugh, Bishop's (Edmonton, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EBlugh was a prototype for the Canadian pass rusher as an all-Canadian at Bishop's when the \u003Cb\u003EIan Breck\u003C\/b\u003E's Gaiters punched above their weight on the regular in the 1980s. Born in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, raised in Napanee, Ont., Blugh twice had double-digit sack totals during his Gaiters years. From there, he played 15 seasons in the CFL, 14 with Edmonton, during a Canadian Football Hall of Fame career.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBlugh has \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/montrealgazette.com\/sports\/football\/cfl\/herb-zurkowsky-tackling-cancer-diabetes-puts-life-in-perspective-for-cfl-great-leroy-blugh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edealt with cancer and diabetes in recent years\u003C\/a\u003E, but still works in football as the defensive line coach for the Ottawa Redblacks. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive tackle — Israel Idonije, Manitoba (Chicago Bears, NFL). \u003C\/b\u003EA true Canadian success story, having gone from playing one high school season on a re-constituted team to making the NFL as an undrafted free agent who had a long-term career at both end and D-tackle. Idonije, fittingly for someone who played in Chicago, was also a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award finalist for his humanitarian work with children in Africa, Manitoba and Chicago.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIdonije, if memory serves, was a defensive end during his U of M days, but he can slide inside for purposes of making an imaginary lineup of football players.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive tackle — Akiem Hicks, Regina (New Orleans Saints, NFL). \u003C\/b\u003EWell, it wouldn't be a complete list without a Californian who found succor in Canada West. Wait, this isn't a basketball article. The great thing about university sport is that the tent is big enough to accommodate Americans who, to put it elegantly, fall off the conveyor belt of the shamateur sports-industrial complex down south and need a Plan B.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHicks, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/sports\/football\/hickss-path-to-the-2012-nfl-draft-has-been-a-long-one\/article4102628\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eafter his plans to play at LSU were thwarted\u003C\/a\u003E, found a home playing at the U of R in 2010 and '11, becoming the first Ram to be taken in the NFL draft.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELong-time Seattle Seahawks punter\u003Cb\u003E Jon Ryan \u003C\/b\u003Elikely also gets the honourable mention from the Rams' alumni roll.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive end — Ricky Foley, York (Argonauts, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EThe first really tough choice on a school representative, as the pick from the Lions boiled down to either Foley or running back\u003Cb\u003E Andre Durie\u003C\/b\u003E. In the end, the difference in stature between the two long-time Toronto Argonauts mainstays wasn't as big as it was between two other OUA running backs extraordinaire from early aughts (oh, guess which ones) and other possibilities from their respective teams.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThree of the four defensive line picks have small-town roots. Foley came out of Courtice, Ont., to develop at York, before going on to an 11-year CFL career that included contributing to three Grey Cup-winning teams. It's a shame his playing days might have ended so inelegantly — \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/sports\/football\/cfl\/ricky-foley-argos-released-by-text-1.4050503\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egetting cut from the Argos by text message\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;— but what endures is about Foley with the Argonauts is that he \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ublicly%20stuck%20up%20for%20and%20believed%20wholeheartedly%20in%20his%20hometown%20organization%20when%20others%20wouldn%E2%80%99t.\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epublicly stuck up for and believed wholeheartedly in his hometown organization when others wouldn’t\u003C\/a\u003E.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELinebacker — Michael O'Shea, Guelph (Ticats and Argonauts, CFL).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003EBreaking this team down to distinct defensive and offensive line positions is way too granular, even for this blog. It is safe to say O'Shea is the Mike linebacker.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou already know the boilery stuff with O'Shea — second player in CFL history to record 1,000 career tackles across 16 seasons on each side of the Argos-Ticats rivalry. One seared memory is of his first go-round in Hamilton in the mid-1990s. The Tiger-Cats were a gong show for pretty much the whole decade, but you couldn't laugh at them as long as the Canadian linebacker from North Bay was out there competing so intensely.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EO'Shea's string of championships include leading Guelph to a Yates Cup in 1992.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELinebacker — Jason Van Geel, Waterloo.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003ERunning back\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EMike Bradley\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003Eis the ultimate Warrior, of course, and could fill the role of \"national player who's third on the depth chart at running back and plays on all special teams,\" since that's what Bradley did for six seasons in the CFL with Edmonton. Bradley's position, though, has competition.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat shifted the Warriors' shortlist over to the dark side, defence, and it came down to same-name stars from Waterloo's first Yates Cup winner in 1997, Van Geel at linebacker and\u003Cb\u003E Jason Tibbits \u003C\/b\u003Eat cornerback. Twenty years ago this fall, Van Geel was the national defensive player of the year after helping Waterloo reach a summit many UW folk probably thought was unattainable in the days when the school set a dubious mark for consecutive football losses.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe first point of reference with those Waterloo teams that won the Yates in '97 and '99 — against Western at J.W. Little Stadium both times, the latter time in the final game there — is probably the offence. Tuffy Knight had the Warriors running the wishbone, with Ryan Wilkinson as the triple-option triggerman. The second point of reference, of course, is that a Waterloo guy got tackled illegally by Ottawa's mascot during the '97 national semifinal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHowever, the Warriors also had success they had never seen before (or since) because they played some great defence. Van Geel was at the forefront of that, and Tibbits (a five-times OUA all-star, four times at corner and once as a returner) covered things well on the back end.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELinebacker — Frank Balkovec, University of Toronto (Edmonton, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EHere's your hook for this linebacker selection: Balkovec \u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003Ewas the top pick back in 1984 after playing just a single season of football for the Varsity Blues\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBalkovec, at least from a three-decades-removed vantage point, embodies a bygone era before everyone and everything became over-scheduled and multi-sport student-athletes were still easy to find. Everything is more intense now and in some ways we're poorer for it.\u0026nbsp;Balkovec was a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/varsityblues.ca\/hof.aspx?hof=149\u0026amp;path=row\u0026amp;kiosk=\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethree-sport guy at U of T\u003C\/a\u003E who contributed to a Yates-winning team in 1983 and was also a three-time Canadian champion in indoor shot put. After university, he was an eight-year CFLer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive back — Marc-Olivier Brouillette, Montreal (Alouettes, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EWait, is this based on university feats or pro accomplishments? To quote Abe Simpson, it's a little from Column A, a little from Column B. Brouillette converted from quarterback with the Carabins to a hard-hitting defensive player with the CFL's Als, playing both safety and linebacker.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBrouillette recently retired as a player to pursue a legal career. He was a CFL East all-star in 2016, so he ended on a personal high note.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive back — Mark Montreuil, Concordia (San Diego Chargers, NFL). \u003C\/b\u003EBefore Laval, Montréal and Sherbrooke came along to create a truly Quebec conference, Montreuil came up through the North Shore Broncos juniors and the Stingers to make the NFL. The cornerback, who remains the last Stinger chosen in the NFL draft, played three seasons with the San Diego Chargers and also played in NFL Europe with the late and lamented London Monarchs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAn alternate from the Stingers is linebacker \u003Cb\u003ECory Greenwood\u003C\/b\u003E, an undrafted free agent who was a special teams player for Kansas City earlier this decade. Greenwood is the second-most accomplished Kingston, Ont., athlete to wear No. 93.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive back —\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurent Deslauriers, UBC.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003EA \u003Cb\u003EJim Mullin \u003C\/b\u003Enomination, Deslauriers was an all-Canadian and Vanier Cup champion for the Thunderbirds and a CFL West all-star and Grey Cup champion as a pro with Edmonton. Deslauriers was primarily a defensive halfback — by the way, isn't that position due for a renaming? — but \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.gothunderbirds.ca\/hof.aspx?hof=40\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewas dominant in all three phases\u003C\/a\u003E. He set still-extant school records as a return man and played slotback when the Thunderbirds won the Vanier in 1982.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive back —\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPaul Bennett, Laurier. \u003C\/b\u003ESomething about Canadian football that's often lost on its detractors is how it still makes room for a certain amount of community spirit and volunteerism. (Some of that is borne from necessity; or as one former player once put it to me, \"everyone knows there's no money in Canadian football.\")\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat was cool, at least to an incorrigible sports nerd, about reading up on Bennett, was a testimonial from \u003Cb\u003EScott Taylor\u003C\/b\u003E about how \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mytoba.ca\/news\/paul-bennett-still-a-manitoba-hero\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehis greatest work might have come after he left the game\u003C\/a\u003E.\" Bennett, a volunteer high school coach in Winnipeg, also came up with the idea of creating community recognition awards for people \"who have devoted their lives to acting without thought of reward for themselves.\" That speaks to the personalities that football developed in the 1960s and '70s, people were about social justice.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUntil last year, Bennett was the only Ontario conference player with five punt return touchdowns in one season.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive back — Richard Karikari, St. Francis Xavier. \u003C\/b\u003EIt was a six-of-one decision with St. FX, since linebacker\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EHenoc Muamba \u003C\/b\u003Eand now-retired defensive back Karikari have each been CFL all-star selections. Muamba was also a league-wide pick whereas Karikari was a East selection.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHowever, Karikari might have been a more impactful university player. In the early aughts, he gave the X-Men that \"offensive defensive back,\" as a pass defender who was also a touchdown threat as a return man. It's relatively rare for a defensive player to be a finalist for the Hec Crighton, but Karikari achieved that in 2002.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt goes without saying that the greatest X-Men footballer remains\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EPaul Brule\u003C\/b\u003E, who scored 45 touchdowns in two seasons — including eight in one game — in the 1960s.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhether it's Karikari or Muamba from St. FX, five of the 12 defensive players were born outside Canada. \u003Ci\u003EBig tent, people!\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ci\u003EOffence\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line — Miles Gorrell, Ottawa (Stampeders, Concordes, Rough Riders, Ticats and Blue Bombers, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EThe roster would be incomplete if the Gee-Gees rep was someone who was not part of the all-time dominant 1975 team. Gorrell might be the first person to gently point out he was in his first season on the varsity in '75. However, one can only extrapolate how good he must have been in his final season with the Gees, 1977, in order to rate being named team MVP whilst at a position that generally gets the least attention.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat period where Gorrell \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ottawasun.com\/2013\/10\/02\/ottawa-redblacks-scout-miles-gorrell-entering-canadian-football-hall-of-fame\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egrew up in Ottawa\u003C\/a\u003E\" sowed the seeds for an association with the CFL that's gone on almost 40 years. As a scout, Gorrell had a vital role in helping the CFL's Redblacks win the Grey Cup as a third-year team in 2016.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI wasn't alive in 1975, but those Gee-Gees \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ottawacitizen.com\/sports\/football\/fast-football-friends-1975-gee-gees-walk-in-glory-together\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estill have a hold on the city's sports imagination, especially among sportswriters of a particular vintage\u003C\/a\u003E. They are the only football team ever inducted into the city's sports hall of fame.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line — Mike Schad, Queen's (Philadelphia Eagles, NFL).\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;A personal reason for getting emotionally invested in university football as an adolescent around 1989 was the discovery that Schad, who blocked for my first favourite football player, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback \u003Cb\u003ERandall Cunningham\u003C\/b\u003E, had grown up 30 minutes down the 401 in Belleville, Ont, and had played at Queen's, not one of those U.S. football factories featured on ABC and CBS on Friday afternoons. \u003Ci\u003EWow, he made it from here to the NFL\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGranted, there were other reasons for becoming a hardcore football fan around that point in my miseducation (one, my mother went back to school and that created a bond to Queen's and two, I kept getting cut from rep teams in hockey and fast-pitch softball and was too short for basketball, so football became the refuge for my sports fantasies). But enough about me.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESchad remains the lone Canadian university player ever selected in the first round of the NFL draft, going No. 23 overall to the L.A. Rams in 1986. His NFL years were spent mostly in Philly, where he played guard on some teams that were playoff regulars. Going in the first round is a singular achievement unlikely to ever be matched. Every year around NFL draft time when my Twitter timeline fills with updates on Canadian players who might get picked up in the seventh round or get a mini-camp invite I can't help but have a haughty internal response (poor character, I know): \u003Ci\u003EYeah, but my alma mater produced a NFL first-round pick.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line — Pierre Lavertu, Laval (Stampeders, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EProof positive that the upper crust of university football has pro-ready graduates. Lavertu has yet to dress out for Calgary this season due to injuries, but as interior lineman who can play centre or guard, he has been part of a Stampeders offensive line that has arguably has the most sustained success of any position group in the CFL since 2014.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELavertu was an RSEQ all-star in all four of his seasons with the Rouge et Or from 2010-13 and since he was at Laval, you know all four of those seasons involved making it to the last game of the season. It seems fitting that the power program of the past two decades is represented by an offensive lineman. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line — Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, McGill (Kansas City Chiefs, NFL). \u003C\/b\u003EStarting guard on a playoff team, while also working toward becoming a doctor. Duvernay-Tardif and his ghostwriter at \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theplayerstribune.com\/le-docteur-laurent-duvernay-tardif-kansas-city-chiefs\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Players' Tribune can explain that better than I can\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe McGill \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/sports\/football\/j-p-darche-and-laurent-duvernay-tardif-tread-remarkably-similar-paths\/article33888922\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ealternate is also a doctor who played in the NFL with Kansas City\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EJean-Philippe Darche\u003C\/b\u003E. A linebacker at the university level, Darche was a long snapper in the NFL and played in Super Bowl 40 with the Seahawks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line —\u0026nbsp;Scott Flory, Saskatchewan (Alouettes, CFL).\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;It could be either Flory or Gene Makowsky repping Huskie Pride.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFlory: 15 seasons with the same CFL team, nine-time all-star, two-time Outstanding Offensive Lineman recipient, president of the CFL Players' Association, now helping coach the Huskies\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMakowsky, 17 seasons with the same CFL team, five-time all-star, now a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Saskatchewan, deadpan \u003Ci\u003ECorner Gas \u003C\/i\u003Eguest spot.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETheir teams went head-to-head in the 2009 and '10 Grey Cup games. Flory's team won both. So, totally arbitrarily, Flory \u0026gt; Makowsky, although the latter played more offensive tackle.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf positional integrity is a must, there are Laval and Saskatchewan alumni who currently start at right tackle in the CFL — \u003Cb\u003EJason Lauzon-Séguin\u003C\/b\u003E with Ottawa and\u003Cb\u003E Patrick Neufeld \u003C\/b\u003Ewith Winnipeg.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn to the GLORY BOYS:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceiver — Andy Fantuz, Western (Roughriders, CFL).\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;Granted, offensive stats accumulated in the '00s-era OUA have to be taken with the same grain of salt as scoring stats from the 1980s NHL, but it's wild to revisit just how far ahead of everyone Fantuz is on the career lists for yards and receiving touchdowns. His tally of 4,123 in the former is almost 1,000 ahead of \u0026nbsp;the next most prolific pass receiver and his 41 TD catches (remember, regular season only) is eight more than the next guy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo put the second one in perspective: \u003Cb\u003EDanny Vandervoort\u003C\/b\u003E, who is getting his feet wet at slotback with the B.C. Lions, averaged almost one touchdown per game across four seasons with McMaster. He finished 12 TDs shy of Fantuz' mark.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFantuz delivered on his potential over 11 seasons in the CFL, with the high point coming in 2010 when his league-most 1,380 yards made him the first Canadian to win a receiving title since another 'Stang, \u003Cb\u003EDave Sapunjis\u003C\/b\u003E, back in 1995.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceiver — Brian Fryer, Alberta (Washington, NFL; Edmonton, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EA \"first\" guy — the first Canadian university receiver to gain 1,000 yards in a season and the first player, full stop, to be drafted by a NFL team and go directly into the league, as he played for the Washington NFL team during the American bicentennial year of 1976. Out of context, that's impressive enough, but in context it stands out even more since that was during the\u003Cb\u003E George Allen \u003C\/b\u003Eera in D.C. and Allen was known to over-emphasize playing veterans.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter calling it a career on the field — with a Vanier Cup title with the Golden Bears and a role in the five-in-a-row Edmonton CFL dynasty —\u0026nbsp;he made a successful move into a second career as executive director of Football Alberta.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceiver — Don Blair, Calgary (Lions, CFL).\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;The first non-lineman to represent Canada in the East-West Shrine Game showcase! The Dinos have had their share of superlative offences and individual talents over the last four decades. It will take something ludicrous to bump out the seared image of the 1995 Vanier Cup, when Blair scored four touchdowns (three receiving, one by recovering a blocked punt) when Calgary dropped 54 points on Western. Fun fact, unless you're from London: the Dinos did most of the damage with their backup quarterback after the starter was knocked out of the game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBlair was a No. 1 overall choice who had a stellar CFL career. Like Fantuz and Fryer, he set a national receiving record and won the Hec Crighton. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceiver — Samuel Giguère, Sherbrooke (Ticats and Alouettes, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EThe second-newest program manages to sneak a player in at a deep position. While Sherbrooke has generally been the Partick Thistle to Laval and Montréal's Celtics and Rangers in the Quebec conference, the small school has helped a few individual talents blossom over their 14 seasons.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGiguère was one of the first bona fide prospects to emerged at Sherbrooke, possessing enough specs to earn a couple NFL trials before returning north to fulfill the role of national wide-side receiver. Now 33 years old, he's playing for the Alouettes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother Vert et Or receiver who's in the CFL, \u003Cb\u003ESimon Charbonneau\u003C\/b\u003E, could have also been the pick. Charbonneau was borderline unstoppable in the 2010 Dunsmore Cup when Sherbrooke nearly upset Laval. (That day, we were just a couple plays away from an Ottawa-Sherbrooke Uteck Bowl instead of a been-there-done-that Western-Laval matchup.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERunning back — Daryl Stephenson, Windsor (Blue Bombers, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003EIn 2006, there was some discord when Stephenson won the Hec Crighton, but it wasn't about him. It was more about having seven winners in a row from the OUA. To some extent, and I didn't articulate this well enough at that time, it was also about the virtues and drawbacks of the \"career award bias,\" so-called. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELikewise, for reasons having nothing to do with Stephenson, the only rusher to ever top 5,000 career yards, this was the hardest piece of the puzzle. First it involved whether to have a fifth pass receiver to reflect the Canadian game of 2017 instead of a second running back. There was also a thought that the choice should reflect that this fictional team would actually play against fictional juggernaut, like the Monstars with Laval's and UBC's combined budget. That would mean giving some weight to receiving skills.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUltimately, though, better to have a second running back. That brought it down to, as hinted in the preamble, the three star rushers from the early-aughts: Stephenson of Windsor, Durie of York and, you guessed it, \u003Cb\u003EJesse Lumsden\u003C\/b\u003E of McMaster. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUltimately, the (ir-)rationale was that Stephenson exemplifies the best of Windsor so much more than anyone else. He was a dogged competitor and gave everything to make Windsor, for a time, a playoff team. As a pro, he also made a great adjustment to being a depth player with the Blue Bombers, which surely must be tough for university players who are used to being the focal point as a feature back.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo that's how it turned out: Stephenson in, Lumsden over to the bobsleigh track.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERunning back \u0026nbsp;— Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison (Alouettes, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003ELapointe is in the Hall of Fame as an amateur player, but it could just as easily be as builder. I'll just do a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/neatesager.blogspot.ca\/2007\/02\/ric-lapointes-lasting-impact-just-ask.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emini-oral history from some people who were around him every day at Mount A\u003C\/a\u003E:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMathieu Gauthier, defensive end:\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Éric was one of the first French football players to make it into the mainstream pop culture in Quebec ... One quick example of his influence is in a recent recruiting event at a Montreal CEGEP. While the MTA recruiters had qualified only 5-6 guys who seamed like a right fit for MTA (only these kids got an invitation to the event), 34 kids showed up for the presentation when they learned that Éric Lapointe was going to be there.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"He certainly had an influence on a generation of kids, who chose football instead of hockey and other sports.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJorge Barrera, a Mounties rookie in 1995 who is now an investigative reporter with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network:\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Éric Lapointe had the aura of a star the moment he walked into the Mount Allison football locker room in his rookie year. While other rookies were subjected to the humiliating rituals of initiation, Lapointe moved above it all, his hair long and safe from the clippers.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"On the field he made things simple for his coaches. The offensive co-ordinator once remarked that running the Mt. A. offence with Lapointe was like playing Nintendo football: Sweep right, sweep left and Lapointe outran them all.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJulian Dickinson, receiver: \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"If you never saw him play at Mount Allison, you have no idea how good he really was. There was one play that probably best illustrates what he could do on the football field and what he could do for a team. It was 1996, Eric's second year. We were playing St. FX in the AUAA finals in Antigonish and we got absolutely pummelled in the first half. We must have been down at least three touchdowns and I'm sure most people in the locker room thought that game was over.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"But Eric came out in the second half and ripped off a 99-yard run that snaked all over the field, left about 10 defenders rolling on their bellies in the mud and ended with Eric in the end zone. It was the best individual play I've ever seen in a football game. He went on to rush for about 300 yards that game and brought us within a few points of winning that game. And this wasn't a cupcake defence. There were All-Canadians on the X defence, which would eventually play in the Vanier Cup.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"It was an amazing feat. At the end of the game he was bloody, bruised, covered in mud and his jersey was torn like he'd been through a war. I remember he did a TV interview after the game with his helmet on because he was so busted up about losing, he couldn't show his face.\"\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETwenty-three spots down. By process of elimination, you should know who is QB1.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQuarterback — Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's (Montreal Machine, World League; Rough Riders, CFL). \u003C\/b\u003ENo. Words. Necessary.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"YOUTUBE-iframe-video\" data-thumbnail-src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/S4P12kfxMNk\/0.jpg\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S4P12kfxMNk?feature=player_embedded\" width=\"320\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Flynn legend only grows with time, perhaps in part since it was an unfinished symphony-type thing since there was no second act in the CFL.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ci\u003ESpecialists\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKicker \u0026nbsp;— Al Charuk, Acadia (Lions, Argonauts).\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;Total Calvinball cop-out with choosing the \u003Ci\u003Ebotteur\u003C\/i\u003E, since it's more about picking a definitive Acadia player whose feats included using his foot. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn a four-season span in the 1970s, Acadia had three Hec Crighton winners — Charuk in '74, followed by The Bobs back-to-back with receiver\u003Cb\u003E Bob Stracina \u003C\/b\u003Eand quarterback \u003Cb\u003EBob Cameron \u003C\/b\u003Ein '76 and '77. \u0026nbsp;In 2014, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/usports\/top-50-cis-football-players-of-vanier-cup-era\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESportsnet\u003C\/a\u003E ranked Cameron the 28th-best player of the Vanier Cup era with Charuk 35th and Stracina 37th. The former, of course, punted in the CFL for nigh on a quarter-century. Charuk and Stracina, between scoring touchdowns and placekicker, each scored more than 100 points in a season for Acadia.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe default selection was Cameron, due in perhaps to a stronger association since he had the longest pro career. On second thought, Charuk was a two-way player who won the Hec as a defensive back — where he once had a 10-interception season — and fashioned a CFL career as a receiver.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERush cover — Jason Arakgi, McMaster (Lions).\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;As the man himself put it, \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/vancouversun.com\/sports\/football\/cfl\/bc-lions\/jason-arakgi-qa-on-the-art-of-the-tackle-anthropology-and-furniture-building\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyou're only as good as the bottom guy\u003C\/a\u003E\" and well, Arakgi is the CFL's career leader in special teams tackles and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3downnation.com\/2016\/08\/18\/life-outside-spotlight-fine-arakgi\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eplayed on all special teams even in his final season, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E. One could also hold up his career arc — \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bclions.com\/2017\/06\/19\/jason-arakgi-story-quiet-leader\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Espend nine seasons all with one team, perform a significant function very well and then leave the game on one's own terms to step into a second career\u003C\/a\u003E — as a good example for young athletes to emulate. Only a very, very few get to play forever, but there are other entry points to parlaying athletic aptitude into a good life.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReturner — Tunde Adeleke, Carleton (Stampeders).\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;Special teams touchdowns are supposed to be a rare treat, but Adeleke made them a staple in Carleton's offensive diet over his four seasons. In 2016, he became the first player since\u003Cb\u003E Paul Bennett \u003C\/b\u003Ewith five punt return touchdowns in one season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"YOUTUBE-iframe-video\" data-thumbnail-src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/LWAfpV3myPU\/0.jpg\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LWAfpV3myPU?feature=player_embedded\" width=\"320\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was just wild how people around the Ravens just came to expect the brilliant breakaway runs. Like no one before him (at least in my time), Adeleke combined with psychic peripheral vision with high-class wheels, since he also had the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2017 CFL combine.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFeel free to disagree with the selections, or the process. But please remember that any substitutions either have to be at the same position or require a two-position switch.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7077024032233525250\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/07\/football-ultimate-all-star-team-one.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7077024032233525250"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7077024032233525250"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/07\/football-ultimate-all-star-team-one.html","title":"Football: Ultimate U Sports all-star team — one player per school for 27 positions"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Oit2QtTW4T4\/WWD4xR2W5sI\/AAAAAAAADO0\/i0Ufczw22vwMCdqSrJDux0tlvkae2FN9ACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/Akiem%2BHicks%252C%2BRams%2Band%2BBears.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7607790612452382942"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-06T01:54:00.003-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-06T02:49:43.516-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Badgers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bracketology"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Final 8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Redmen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ryerson Rams"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Basketball: Ryerson, Carleton, McGill 1-2-3 for men's Final 8, Calgary gets wild card"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"It is human nature to think there ought to be a way to solve something irksome without thinking of the practicalities of said way. That seems to be the subtext for the suggestion there was some great injustice with decision to award the at-large berth to Canada West bronze medallist Calgary instead of OUA bronze medallist Brock (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/03\/the-road-to-halifax-stops-at-carleton_5.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eas predicted\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EOFFICIAL: M🏀: The 2017 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ArcelorMittal_D\"\u003E@ArcelorMittal_D\u003C\/a\u003E Final 8 field is rounded out with the University of Calgary Dinos! Full seeding below. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CHAMPSZN?src=hash\"\u003E#CHAMPSZN\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7fzyqaog6E\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/7fzyqaog6E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— U SPORTS (@USPORTSca) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca\/status\/838588714372771840\"\u003EMarch 6, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E The spur for doing this has always been to try to be a rational actor and give people an idea of how the Final 8 seeding rules work. Whether those rules are righteous or wrongheaded or whether the system goes too far in trying to quantify signature wins \u003Ci\u003Eis a parallel conversation\u003C\/i\u003E. Everyone agreed to play by these rules. You can say have play-in games, a Final 10, a Final 12, a Final 16 and say \"what would the NCAA do?!\" Given all the challenges U Sports faces both internally and externally, it might be better to play the pragmatist and appreciate that we still get to see eight teams spread out over nearly 6,000 kilometres still convene in Halifax for a national championship.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI say all of that, believe you me, knowing it is not for nothing the \u003Cb\u003ELouis CK\u003C\/b\u003E clip open in another Chrome tab just got to the \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/C-Y17YG63B4?t=1m37s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyou need to go once in a while, 'uh, I'm kind of an asshole'\u003C\/a\u003E \" part. The above paragraph probably comes off that way to a few people, but I am okay with that reaction.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EEnd rant. These fellows said it better anyway:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EIf you disapprove of the criteria and think of a better, cost-effective one that all conferences will approve of, that's fine. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CHAMPSZN?src=hash\"\u003E#CHAMPSZN\u003C\/a\u003E 4\/\u003C\/div\u003E— Lucas Meyer (@meyer_lucas) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/meyer_lucas\/status\/838593377536876544\"\u003EMarch 6, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NaitSAYger\"\u003E@NaitSAYger\u003C\/a\u003E That and the whining that went along with the Final10 when it actually did happen. There's a reason they went back to a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/final8?src=hash\"\u003E#final8\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— John Edwards (@Anorak_CA) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Anorak_CA\/status\/838626007770939392\"\u003EMarch 6, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Anorak_CA\"\u003E@Anorak_CA\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NaitSAYger\"\u003E@NaitSAYger\u003C\/a\u003E Wasted games and a marathon week in the Final 10. Stick with 8.\u003C\/div\u003E— Jim Mullin (@Jim_Mullin) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jim_Mullin\/status\/838631196586233857\"\u003EMarch 6, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jor_Henry\"\u003E@Jor_Henry\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrianSwane\"\u003E@BrianSwane\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NaitSAYger\"\u003E@NaitSAYger\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dougmclean15\"\u003E@dougmclean15\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Basketball_Hour\"\u003E@Basketball_Hour\u003C\/a\u003E I've been at a couple of \"Final 10\" tourneys. A marathon with wasted games\u003C\/div\u003E— Jim Mullin (@Jim_Mullin) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jim_Mullin\/status\/838656206457614340\"\u003EMarch 6, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E Until such time that the gauntlet is picked up, here is what we have on tap at the arena forever known as the Halifax Metro Centre on Thursday:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 2 Carleton vs. No. 7 Calgary, 11 a.m. ET.\u003C\/b\u003E The \"never con a con artist\" principle probably transfers over to any attempt to practise dollar-store sports psychology from a distance on a Dave Smart team. However, losing the No. 1 seed to Ryerson granted Carleton with two things it wanted. They tip off six hours earlier than Ryerson on Thursday and would be in the early semifinal on Saturday. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe loss also helps Carleton snap to attention. In 2006, '07, '11, '14 and '16, they didn't win the OUA banner but went on to capture the W.P. McGee Trophy.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 3 McGill vs. No. 6 Manitoba, 1 p.m. ET. \u003C\/b\u003EMcGill us an .800 team (21-5) which won its conference without really seeing a formidable team in the playoffs and Alberta is a .700 team (24-10) that can de described similarly. That is why the Redmen rate the No. 3 seed. That and the need to avoid a same-conference matchup.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 1 Ryerson vs. No. 8 Saint Mary's, 5 p.m. ET. \u003C\/b\u003ECalgary and Carleton have the highest combined scoring averages in any first-round matchup, but the potential for a 5-on-5 40-minute game of H-O-R-S-E probably resides in the day's third game. Ryerson is fourth at 86.2 points and Saint Mary's is fifth at 84.3.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETen years ago, also in Halifax, Saint Mary's was the No. 8 seed and upended Concordia in the quarter-final. No doubt SMU's history as a low seed -- they were No. 7 when they won in 1999 -- will form a convenient if dated narrative.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn that vein, both Thursday evening sessions the last two years have involved an overtime game where the higher seed was on the ropes in the last half-minute of regulation time. \u003Ci\u003ECould it happen again?!\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 4 Alberta vs. No. 5 Dalhousie, 7 p.m. ET.\u003C\/b\u003E The Tigers have got away with some slow starts but probably cannot afford one against Alberta. The Golden Bears are too imposing.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBack to Brockgate for a second ... it is understandable why people expected the Badgers to get the wild card. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOntario has had at least three teams in the tournament for five years in a row and 13 of the last 14. On reflection, one can see how that would have conditioned expectations that Brock was in line for a tournament ticket when it earned the OUA bronze medal by defeating Ottawa, who's been going to the Final 8 on the regular. \u003Ci\u003EWe defeated you, so don't we become you now?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt the same time, even if Ottawa had earned the OUA bronze, Calgary probably still gets picked.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7607790612452382942\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/03\/basketball-ryerson-carleton-mcgill-1-2.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7607790612452382942"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7607790612452382942"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/03\/basketball-ryerson-carleton-mcgill-1-2.html","title":"Basketball: Ryerson, Carleton, McGill 1-2-3 for men's Final 8, Calgary gets wild card"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6147859547534903815"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-05T03:16:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-05T13:09:35.107-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Badgers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bracketology"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Bears"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Redmen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Road To Halifax Stops At Carleton: On Seedings Eve"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The seeding is a total mess and you ought to love it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERyerson completed a capital double, defeating Carleton for the Wilson Cup thanks to \u003Cb\u003EManny Diressa \u003C\/b\u003Egoing off for 24 points in the second half and, speaking of dynamic dyads,\u003Cb\u003E Adam Voll \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Keevon Small\u003C\/b\u003E combining for \u003Ci\u003Enine\u003C\/i\u003E blocked shots. History does not play the games in the present, of course. Ryerson with floor leaders Diressa, \u003Cb\u003EAdika Peter-McNeilly\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EJuwon Grannum\u003C\/b\u003E will go into the Final 8 with much more shared experienced with the tournament and what's involved with being a No. 1 seed. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMeantime, Carleton will get a matinee game in the quarter-final for the fourth consecutive year, since Dalhousie is probably in the 4 vs. 5 game and the host Tigers will play in the evening session. Clearly Carleton doesn't mind the extra recovery period. The Ravens have also won the national championship the last five times (2006, '07, '11, '14 and '16) that it was not OUA playoff champion. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RyersonMBB\"\u003E@RyersonMBB\u003C\/a\u003E three captains, Ammanuel Diressa, Adika Peter-McNeilly and Juwon Grannum hosting their 2017 Wilson Cup. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/theeyeopener\"\u003E@theeyeopener\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/q6l0zETHRs\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/q6l0zETHRs\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Bryan Meler (@BryanMelo97) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BryanMelo97\/status\/838223787049041920\"\u003EMarch 5, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E The task at hand isn't predictions, though, it's seeding.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EThat is proving tough enough after the unfolding carnage of these conference playoffs. Young \u003Cb\u003EHenry\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EDulson\u003C\/b\u003E have a noble stab at it (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/canhoopsca.wordpress.com\/2017\/03\/05\/wild-card-thoughts\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003EMark Wacyk\u003C\/b\u003E explains why UBC getting the wild card sets a bad precedent\u003C\/a\u003E):\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EOkay... my \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/final8HFX\"\u003E@final8HFX\u003C\/a\u003E seeding:\u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Ryerson\u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Carleton\u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Alberta\u003Cbr \/\u003E4) McGill\u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Dalhousie\u003Cbr \/\u003E6) Brock\u003Cbr \/\u003E7) SMU\u003Cbr \/\u003E8) Manitoba\u003C\/div\u003E— Jordan Henry (@Jor_Henry) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jor_Henry\/status\/838266162488225792\"\u003EMarch 5, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"und\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NaitSAYger\"\u003E@NaitSAYger\u003C\/a\u003E Here's mine-\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. RU\u003Cbr \/\u003E2. UA\u003Cbr \/\u003E3. Carleton\u003Cbr \/\u003E4. McG \u003Cbr \/\u003E5. Dal\u003Cbr \/\u003E6. Brock\/ UC\u003Cbr \/\u003E7. Manitoba\u003Cbr \/\u003E8. SMU\u003C\/div\u003E— Casey Leigh Dulson (@Casey_Dulson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Casey_Dulson\/status\/838425102500888577\"\u003EMarch 5, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EThat could play, apart from the debate about the at-large berth. It is possible the seeding committee could decide that while UBC is first in five of the first nine criteria, losing in the Canada West quarter-final two in a row at home to Manitoba, which garnered no Top 10 support all season, is a deal-breaker. In that case, though, Calgary would seem to be the next team up based on the below interpretation. The Dinos are only first in one category, but are no lower than tied for third in every other one. Losing to Manitoba in the playoffs is also less abject since it was a one-game playoff and not a best-of-three series.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstyle type=\"text\/css\"\u003E table.tableizer-table { font-size: 12px; border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #CCC; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } \u003C\/style\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable class=\"tableizer-table\"\u003E\u003Cthead\u003E\u003Ctr class=\"tableizer-firstrow\"\u003E\u003Cth\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EReg-sea.\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003ESOS\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003ETT\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EN-C\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003ETop 10\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EA800\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EA650\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EA500\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EB500\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EPlayoffs*\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003ETotal\u003C\/th\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/thead\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUBC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3.5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E21.5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECalgary\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3.5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E24.5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOttawa\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E31\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBrock \u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E33\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESask.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E40\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith that out of the way, a last stab before the true experts get it right. It's looking like everyone should hope that Saint Mary's defeats Dalhousie in the AUS final; then they can get both into the top 6. Manitoba and the at-large recipient would then get bumped into the 7 and 8 seeds.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERyerson (OUA champion)\u003C\/b\u003E. Fine, fine team.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECarleton (OUA auto-berth). Eddie Ekiyor\u003C\/b\u003E had an intentional foul during the stretch run of the fourth quarter of the Wilson Cup that blemished going for 22-12-3 across 29 minutes against a top-3 team. Watch that get avenged next weekend.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EEddie Ekiyor (Ottawa) had 22 pts,12 rebs,1 ast,3 blks in 29 mins in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CURavens\"\u003E@CURavens\u003C\/a\u003E' loss to Ryerson. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CanBall?src=hash\"\u003E#CanBall\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Q0BKCY37MZ\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/Q0BKCY37MZ\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— CanBallRay (@CanBallReport) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CanBallReport\/status\/838229921340194818\"\u003EMarch 5, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcGill (RSEQ champion).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/b\u003ECanada West usually gets the highest seed of anyone not from the centre of the universe. However, now that it might become the three-bid league, McGill likely has to move up to avoid a same-conference matchup.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMcGill rates better than or even with Alberta and Dalhousie on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/usportshoops.ca\/history\/rankings-srs.php?Gender=MBB\u0026amp;Season=2016-17\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESimple Ranking System\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(taken before the playoffs), regular-season conference record, non-conference record and it has been higher in the Top 10 voting. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAlberta is seventh nationally in full-season RPI, with Dalhousie ninth and McGill 11th. Say whatever you want about the quality of the RSEQ, but McGill grades out well according to the rules in place.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAlberta (Canada West champion).\u003C\/b\u003E Shot an effective 77 per cent during the second half of the CW final, with \u003Cb\u003EBrody Clarke \u003C\/b\u003Egoing for 29 and 12 on 10-of-14 from the floor.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDalhousie (AUS champion).\u003C\/b\u003E Play Saint Mary's on Sunday in an all-Halifax AUS final. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (at large)\u003C\/b\u003E. Reasonable place to put the No. 5-ranked team in Canada, forgiving them their peccadillo that was the two-point defeat against Manitoba. Yes, Manitoba won the game that mattered, but only by a bucket.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's (de facto host).\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EMarquis Clayton\u003C\/b\u003E went for 22 points total and the Huskies limited UNB to two baskets during a pull-away third quarter in the AUS semifinal. Will \u003Cb\u003EJavon Masters \u003C\/b\u003Eever get to a Final 8?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba (Canada West auto-berth).\u003C\/b\u003E Shout-out to\u003Cb\u003E Tony House\u003C\/b\u003E, who's organized Canada Topflight Academy in Ottawa, since he's a former Bisons guard.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn the event Saint Mary's wins the AUS everything revises quite easily:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERyerson\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECarleton\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAlberta\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMcGill\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESaint Mary's\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDalhousie\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003Eat-large team (Calgary, Brock or UBC)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EManitoba\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6147859547534903815\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/03\/the-road-to-halifax-stops-at-carleton_5.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6147859547534903815"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6147859547534903815"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/03\/the-road-to-halifax-stops-at-carleton_5.html","title":"The Road To Halifax Stops At Carleton: On Seedings Eve"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-4820716739210010016"},"published":{"$t":"2016-11-26T19:32:00.004-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-11-26T23:43:18.898-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vanier Cup"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Vanier Cup vantage point: Why Laval's ninth title stands apart from the first eight "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"HAMILTON -- From 0-1 to the last ones standing, Laval took a different path to its ninth Vanier Cup.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo an outsider, all the Laval football titles and Carleton men's basketball championships loop together. In the case of the Rouge et Or, it isn't until they take off those metallic gold helmets that could keep a stadium lit in case of a power failure that one remembers there are still young student-athletes carrying out coach Glen Constantin's grand design and they are mortal. This season, Laval had one of its youngest squads since its nascence -- \"15 new starters, only three fifth-year kids,\" Constantin noted -- and still managed to win the national championship by defeating Calgary 31-26 at Tim Hortons Field on Saturday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAll of those down-to-the-wire grudge matches against the Montréal Carabins might have provided that critical bit of resilience against well-prepared Calgary.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"It built our character and we got to give it to the University of Montreal Carabins,\" quarterback \u003Cb\u003EHugo Richard\u003C\/b\u003E, who received the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy as offensive player of the game, said. \"They give us great games every single time. We never know how it's going to end. It's a great rivalry that drives Quebec football in the right direction. This season, playing them three times, it showed us that regardless of the score or the situation we can always execute and come out on the top.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\"The situation has changed, Montreal has risen up to the challenge, It's great for them, great for us, great for football and we know we have to push our limits every time ... regardless of how and when, it feels great to play to the end of the season and now to come out with a win at the end it's just the cherry on top of the sundae.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003ELaval has learned it can be defeated even if it plays at its peak. They lost to Montréal at home in the season opener, which immediately meant being the visitors in the Dunsmore Cup. Laval had no applicable experience with that role, since it has only gone on the road for a conference final twice. The last time was in 2004 against the Carabins, who at the time a talented but nonetheless third-year program.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis time around, they eked out 20-17 win on the margin of a trick-play touchdown in the final minute of the game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELaval's Vanier victories have typically been dull defensive battles or walkovers, so winning a scoring battle is something new. Richard shrugged off seven sacks to go 25-of-32 for 339 yards while being responsible for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). The young defence, with five second-year players in the front seven and first-year eligible cornerback \u003Cb\u003EFrederic Gagnon\u003C\/b\u003E and halfback \u003Cb\u003EAdam Auclair\u003C\/b\u003E starting in the secondary, was very bendy in allowing 553 yards. That said, the unit did not give up another touchdown after Dinos Dinos backup QB \u003Cb\u003EAdam Sinagra \u003C\/b\u003Ereplaced injured \u003Cb\u003EJimmy Underdahl \u003C\/b\u003Elate in the first quarter.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA third-and-one stop gave the Dinos time for a victory drive. It looked like it might happen, with Sinagra moving Calgary to the Laval 23-yard line with 39 seconds left. Laval was able to hold on, inducing three incompletions in a row.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"Every Vanier Cup feels like your first,\" Constantin said. \"They're different stories, different kids, every one feels like your first, it's a very very special one -- a game for the ages.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"The second- and third-year guys, I'm so proud of them,\" Constantin said. \"They had to watch those two losses in the last two Dunsmore Cups so they hadn't experienced something like this. This is huge, especially since maybe those Dunsmore Cups [losses against Montreal in 2014 and '15] were starting to weigh on them a bit.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECalgary outgained Laval 553-446. Ultimately, the Rouge et Or got 21 points off of turnovers, as their first and last touchdowns came on short fields. Auclair's interception and return to the Dinos' 37-yard line in the first quarter helped facilitate a touchdown that pared Calgary's early lead to 14-7. A strip sack set up a third-quarter TD.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMidway through the fourth quarter, it appeared to be setting up for Richard to lead a go-ahead drive after Calgary had inched ahead 26-24. Instead, on second-and-10 at the Dinos' 39, Richard tried to throw across his body while he was being restrained by a tackler. The Dinos'\u003Cb\u003E Adam Laurensse\u003C\/b\u003E dove and made the interception.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELaval got another chance by forcing a punt. Defensive back \u003Cb\u003ERaphael Robidoux \u003C\/b\u003Eskied to make the block and the recovery gave Laval possession on the Dinos' 15-yard line. Literally no one the sideline was thinking, \u003Ci\u003Egreat, the worst-case scenario is a short field goal and a one-point lead.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"I'm close with the special teams coordinator,\" fifth-year slotback\u003Cb\u003E Félix Faubert-Lussier\u003C\/b\u003E said. \"He told me the block was coming and when I saw it happen I was pretty stoked, jumping all oer the place. We knew they had a great kicker (\u003Cb\u003ENick DiFonte\u003C\/b\u003E, who was 4-of-4 on field goals) so we didn't want to settle for three points. We wanted to close it out ourselves.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERichard coolly checked back in and used his legs to score on a one-yard rush with 2:33 left in the game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"He took some great shots downfield,\" Constantin said of his third-year quarterback. \"It was an exciting effort from Hugo -- not a perfect game, but he played his heart out.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA post-game peruse of Laval's depth chart confirms they are not going away. Five starters in the front seven -- rush end\u003Cb\u003E Mathieu Betts \u003C\/b\u003Eand tackles\u003Cb\u003E Vincent Desjardins \u003C\/b\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003EClément Lebreux\u003C\/b\u003E, middle linebacker\u003Cb\u003E Marc Antoine Varin\u003C\/b\u003E, will linebacker\u003Cb\u003E Cedric Lussier Roy\u003C\/b\u003E, are second-year players. There's also the continuous depth that comes out of fecund CEGEP system.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERichard said, \"Every winter, we have the mindset that we want to go all the way.\" Of course, having that vision and realizing it are two totally different things.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/4820716739210010016\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/vanier-cup-vantage-point-why-lavals.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4820716739210010016"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4820716739210010016"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/vanier-cup-vantage-point-why-lavals.html","title":"Vanier Cup vantage point: Why Laval's ninth title stands apart from the first eight "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7325530876135974755"},"published":{"$t":"2016-11-26T15:59:00.002-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-11-26T23:04:52.829-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marketing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vanier Cup"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Vanier Cup: A glass-half-full take on stadium-nearly-empty; or, the day rotating the host city died"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bACW_HshBl8\/WDnjt6q2iDI\/AAAAAAAADMk\/4tSOkVeItYAUhktHUTRZ-yam9sTlIKEoQCLcB\/s1600\/15179102_10157800082260506_6006779189239038299_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bACW_HshBl8\/WDnjt6q2iDI\/AAAAAAAADMk\/4tSOkVeItYAUhktHUTRZ-yam9sTlIKEoQCLcB\/s640\/15179102_10157800082260506_6006779189239038299_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe upside of a down year for Vanier Cup attendance is that Hamilton will be host for the 2017 title game, so they have a chance to figure out why so many of those seats are unoccupied.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EForget about how great a game Laval and Calgary engaged in; it is alarming that there was such a step backwards, with the lowest attendance in the event's history. Attendance as never announced, but there was no way that the glutei-in-seats count matched the record-low of 8,184 from 1997.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was not just the luck of the draw that is having a Calgary-Laval matchup in a championship game in Southern Ontario. It's also not that people in Canada don't care about football; the size of crowds at conference championship games and rivalry games such as the Panda Game refute such defeatism. On Twitter, \u0026nbsp;#Vanier52 was trending more strongly than Michigan and Ohio State in Canada.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/10\/say-hello-to-usports-online-response-to.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enearly wholesale change in leadership at U Sports Canada\u003C\/a\u003E and seemingly little collaboration between the organizers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/football-vanier-cup-ticket-sales-are-uh.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe attendance is not surprising\u003C\/a\u003E. The glass-half-full take on stadium-nearly-empty is that everyone probably realizes more work could have been done. Whether there will be action remains to be seen. And hey, what should be the most important day in the university sports calendar, especially so with the rebranding, is at least going to get some much needed support from the Ontario government in 2017 (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.900chml.com\/2016\/11\/26\/92980\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea $100,000 tourism grant to help with having some, any, promotional ramp-up throughout the season\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EThat said, there are takeaways from this experience worth putting down for dozens of readers. Believe you me, this post has been revised once on screen and about a dozen times mentally, since I do not even know what to think any more.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt is probably time to look at finding a long-term home base for the game again. For a number of reasons, U Sports should probably look at Ottawa and TD Place.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOttawa is a tourist destination with easy driving distance of almost every school in OUA and the RSEQ. It also has, as a bilingual government town a sizable alumni base for almost any participating school. That can count for a lot\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003Eif\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;alumni chapters can be called upon to get out the word (harder than you think, because Canada). Presumably, any school that is large enough to support a Vanier contender is going to have an active alumni chapter in the national capital region.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, Ottawa also has all the big shiny things: having two universities with Carleton and Ottawa, rather than only McMaster, means there is that much more exposure to university sport. There is a raucous stadium atmosphere with the Redblacks and a stadium that is in an entertainment zone. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETim Hortons Field is great, but it is a standalone stadium across the street from an elementary school. (I arrived at the stadium before the game realizing I had forgotten earbud headphones, but the nearest store to buy any was a good 10-minute walk, so I went without.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo be fair, TD Place is still in the new-stadium novelty period. That stadium is not going anywhere. Neither is the retail around it. Or Parliament Hill.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt's always dicey to make direct comparisons between university sport in Canada and the indentured-servitude industrial complex down south, but the NCAA's lower divisions provide the best argument for a long-term host. These are leagues which are not on TV every week, but somehow people are aware that they play good football.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) championship game has been held in two cities since 1997. The FCS is currently just more than halfway through a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NCAA_Division_I_Football_Championship\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E10-year contract to play the game in Frisco, Texas\u003C\/a\u003E; prior to that, it was Chattanooga, Tenn., for 13 years.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESimilarly, the Division II championship game is in a four-year run in Kansas City, Kansas, but prior to that it was in held in Florence, Alabama (pop. 39,319) from 1986-2013. The business communities in those cities know there's an event and know it will get repeat customers. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EU Sports\/CIS barely takes its coat off and stays awhile. Since 2004, the Vanier has been in \u0026nbsp;in six different cities (Hamilton, Montreal, Quebec City,\u0026nbsp;Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETo some extent, getting Calgary-Laval was bad luck, but U Sports can create its own luck. Someone had to know that Canada West is 15-1 at home in national semifinals, or something like that. Quebec has lost one semifinal at home during the Laval era (McGill in 2002). Would it have been such a bad idea to put the game in either of those regions? Of course, that assumes someone wants to host it.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe good news is that next season the Ontario conference champion heads east to play AUS' best in the Uteck Bowl. There is an excellent chance of a Southern Ontario school being in the game. That said, if Laurier has 30 busloads of students that amounts to 1,500 fans, which is a drop in the bucket in a 24,000-seat stadium.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt's fine if U Sports wants to carry on with hoping it lucks out with a local team qualifying for the game, but Graham Brown has said he wants to get away from that. That's ambitious. The only Vanier to draw more than 20,000 fans in the last 15 years without being twinned with the Grey Cup was in Montreal in 2014. About half of the 22,000 tickets were sold after Montreal won the Mitchell Bowl.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELaval fans do not travel in the numbers they used to; like Carleton men's basketball, there's just an expectation that they will win.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESomeone has to say it: Hamilton would do well with a Grey Cup, but the prospect of visiting Hamilton is going to not going to entice one to go to the Vanier Cup. I \u003Ci\u003Elike \u003C\/i\u003Ethe city, but it's not a destination city. It's also not as accessible to fans from, or alumni of, the schools in Quebec and Western Canada. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe business model dictates using the larger stadiums, but I'll entertain the notion that maybe the game's appeal has shrunk to the point where there is a case for playing only in campus stadiums. Very few could accommodate more than 10,000 fans. It's hard to see the leadership viewing that positively; they'll probably think it's a step down. The rub there is that Saturday probably was a step down.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003EOkay, there is your hot take.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7325530876135974755\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/vanier-cup-glass-half-full-take-on.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7325530876135974755"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7325530876135974755"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/vanier-cup-glass-half-full-take-on.html","title":"Vanier Cup: A glass-half-full take on stadium-nearly-empty; or, the day rotating the host city died"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bACW_HshBl8\/WDnjt6q2iDI\/AAAAAAAADMk\/4tSOkVeItYAUhktHUTRZ-yam9sTlIKEoQCLcB\/s72-c\/15179102_10157800082260506_6006779189239038299_n.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5355927371524088026"},"published":{"$t":"2016-11-18T13:11:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-11-18T13:26:29.607-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Laurier, St. Francis Xavier can show Semifinal Saturday does not have to be a letdown "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Full disclose: it is tough typing a blog post with two sets of crossed fingers on each hand. One always hopes against hope each national football semifinal will be good, since it is one of the few times all season that Canadian university football gets any sort of media platform.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs long as football is 12-on-12 and young adults are playing the games, there is always a capacity for surprise -- just ask a Western alumnus, eh.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe subtext for Saturday's semifinals, with Laurier going up to Laval and\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.localxpress.ca\/columns\/chris-cochrane\/recent\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;St. Francis Xavier carrying the AUS banner across three time zones\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to take on Calgary is all the talk and inaction about creating a level playing field nationally.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe second-last Saturday of the season seldom delivers on its promise, except to complete cynics. When it does -- Montréal and Manitoba trading haymakers in the 2014 Uteck; Saskatchewan ending Laval's three-peat ambitions in the 2005 Mitchell -- it's a Choose-Your-Own-10-Dollar-Word-Damnit thrill ride. Of course, a great team playing a perfect game in front of its fans (Saint Mary's two semifinal wins against Laval in 2001 and '07) is exhilarating in its way.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMore often than not, though, the semis are just prologue. It is worth mentioning this since it will show how unexpected it will be if, indeed, Laurier defeats Laval and\/or St. Francis Xavier shocks Calgary. I guess I'm writing this as a plea to the people involved that it would be more refreshing if there was more adult conversation about why the semis are often predictable, instead of feeding a false line about plucky underdogs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe past does not necessarily predict the future, but down below are tables that show the national semifinals have seen greater winning margins over the last 15 seasons than in the previous two decades. Of course, a more sophisticated analysis would try to project whether this is likely to continue, but doing that would involve having data sets that include more meaningful interconference play. (You see what I did there.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor what is worth, the 'average aggregate' (combined margin of victory) in the semis from 2001-15 was 45.93 points, with a median of 42.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the previous 20 sets of semifinals (1980-2000, with 1983 excepted since the Atlantic conference forfeited), the average margin was 29.95 points, with a median of 27.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat represents a 50 per cent increase in the wrong direction, since the goal is presumably to have closer games. A greater mind can figure out The Laval Factor: their average point differential in 12 national semifinals is 12.25 points.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(The 2001 season was a good starting point, since that was the first season every Ontario team played in OUA. The Mitchell Bowl was called the Churchill Bowl through 2002; the eastern-most semifinal was renamed after \u003Cb\u003ELarry Uteck \u003C\/b\u003Ein 2003.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstyle type=\"text\/css\"\u003E table.tableizer-table { font-size: 12px; border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #CCC; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } \u003C\/style\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable class=\"tableizer-table\"\u003E\u003Cthead\u003E\u003Ctr class=\"tableizer-firstrow\"\u003E\u003Cth\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EMargin\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EUteck H\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EUteck V\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EMitchell H\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EMitchell V\u003C\/th\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/thead\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2015\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E42\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2014\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E15\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2013\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E68\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2012\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E74\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2011\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E55\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2010\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E29\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2009\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E27\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2008\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E65\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2007\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E54\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2006\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E53\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2005\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E23\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2004\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E35\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2003\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E55\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2002\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E33\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2001\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E61\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERSEQ\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003E45.93\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EConsider the chart above a \u003Ci\u003Eliterally \u003C\/i\u003Ecalculated act of someone who knows he would make a poor hype man for a major sports network. One season in the last 15 when both games were close (and in 2014, McMaster played to the level of Mount Allison, likely accounting for the 12-point margin) is kind of bad.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAveraging a pair of three-touchdown games for a decade and half is, at best, a reflection of the challenges of staging a national championship in a country with so much geography and so much institutional inertia about Nopuck sports. At worst, it shows a complacency with the status quo. There are probably a lot of other things to do to get more people to care about the Vanier Cup that do not involve lucking into some 40-38 games in the semis. Also, having one bad weekend in November is not a reason not to enjoy September, October and early November (the good regular-season matchups and conference playoffs).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are 20 sets of semifinals from 1980 to 2000. That's good for these purposes, since it's an even number and '80 was the first season the O-QIFC -- Queen's, Carleton, Ottawa and the Quebec schools -- had its own trophy game. In that era \u0026nbsp;the Atlantic Bowl was at a fixed site in Halifax. For simplicity's sake, the three extant conferences are referred to by current abbreviations:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe average swings three points either way if you discard either of the anomalies, 1985 and '87.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstyle type=\"text\/css\"\u003E table.tableizer-table { font-size: 12px; border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #CCC; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } \u003C\/style\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable class=\"tableizer-table\"\u003E\u003Cthead\u003E\u003Ctr class=\"tableizer-firstrow\"\u003E\u003Cth\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EMargin\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EAtlantic H\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EAtlantic V\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EChurchill H\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EChurchill V\u003C\/th\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/thead\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2000\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E9\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1999\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E13\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1998\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E18\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1997\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E12\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1996\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E32\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1995\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E40\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1994\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E28\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1993\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E24\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1992\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E17\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1991\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E37\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1990\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E29\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1989\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E35\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1988\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E53\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1987\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1986\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E9\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1985\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E93\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1984\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E27\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1982\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E63\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1981\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E27\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1980\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E30\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAUS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOQIFC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECW\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOUA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003E29.95\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E*Played at SkyDome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIf you hung in for all of this, you can jump to your own conclusions about whether this could be remedied or if it's just the reality of university sport. A solution is not as simple as \"bring back the Atlantic Bowl, bring back the O-QIFC, add water and stir.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt least the trends show there is reason to be untethered from the conference-champs-only format. Now just reflexively being against the so-called The Usual can create its own set of problems (see: the result of the U.S. presidential selection).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe other subtext for Saturday\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere is no chance the rights holder will mention this in depth on Saturday, perhaps beyond some cutesy graphic that shows that Calgary's administrative staff (4,964) is larger than the population of Antigonish proper (4,524). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELaurier was among the OUA schools that fired a broadside in 2014 about \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisfootball.org\/forums\/archive\/index.php\/t-11345.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe arms race in OUA football\u003C\/a\u003E,\" which was also aimed at Laval and Montréal driving up the cost to compete. Now the Golden Hawks are getting their shot to play Laval, so that\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.therecord.com\/sports-story\/6973008-will-the-uteck-bowl-be-a-fair-fight-\/#.WC6HFSMKCWc.twitter\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etheme has been revisited this week\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESt. Francis Xavier is probably the strongest rep AUS has had since the age cap (i.e., the \"seven years to play five seasons rule\") took full effect. I'm not sure how much stock can be put in the fact that St. FX hung in with Concordia, Quebec's third-best team, on Sept. 24. The effects of having a deeper roster and a bigger budget increase as the season progresses.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, here's hoping for a couple of 40-38 games.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOh, and just to complete the Buzz Killington hat trick, one more table, which is more or less Ontario vs. Everybody. Well, actually it's how the OUA has fared over the years in semifinals against opponents from Canada West and Quebec.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAll told, the conference is 2-11 in such instances. Each win was a home game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstyle type=\"text\/css\"\u003E table.tableizer-table { font-size: 12px; border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #CCC; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } \u003C\/style\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable class=\"tableizer-table\"\u003E\u003Cthead\u003E\u003Ctr class=\"tableizer-firstrow\"\u003E\u003Cth\u003EYear\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EOUA\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EROC\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003ELocation\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EOUA\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EROC\u003C\/th\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/thead\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2015\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGuelph\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMontreal\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E10\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E25\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2013\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWestern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECalgary\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E44\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2012\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECalgary\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E45\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E6\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2010\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWestern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELaval\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E11\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E13\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2009\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen's\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELaval\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E33\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E30\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2007\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWestern \u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E20\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E52\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2006\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOttawa\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E28\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E35\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2004\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELaurier\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E11\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E30\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2003\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E32\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E36\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2001\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EManitoba\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E6\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E27\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E2000\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOttawa*\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E15\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E20\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1998\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWestern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E17\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E33\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1997\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWaterloo\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOttawa*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E37\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E44\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1996\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGuelph\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome \u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E9\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E33\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPre-Laval\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1994\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBishop's\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E41\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E24\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1993\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EToronto\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EConcordia\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESkyDome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E26\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E16\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1992\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGuelph\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen's*\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESkyDome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E16\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E23\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1991\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EQueen's*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESkyDome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E42\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E22\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1988\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWestern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E15\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E34\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1987\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELaurier\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUBC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E31\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E33\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1984\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECalgary\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E12\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E7\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1983\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EToronto\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EQueen's*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E7\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E21\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1982\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWestern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EConcordia\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHome\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E17\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E7\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1981\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWestern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAlberta\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E31\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E32\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E1980\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWestern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAlberta\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E14\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E* O-QIFC team\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBOLD-won Vanier\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5355927371524088026\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/football-laurier-st-francis-xavier-can.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5355927371524088026"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5355927371524088026"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/football-laurier-st-francis-xavier-can.html","title":"Football: Laurier, St. Francis Xavier can show Semifinal Saturday does not have to be a letdown "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7697693470631646383"},"published":{"$t":"2016-11-06T19:29:00.004-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-11-06T19:29:57.893-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vanier Cup"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Vanier Cup ticket sales are, uh, stable"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The worst Vanier Cup in pertinent memory, in terms of the crowd and the game, was 2004 in Hamilton. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/40th_Vanier_Cup\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Wikipedia entry summarizes it well\u003C\/a\u003E. Now may we never speak of it again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe game will surely be better than the touchdown-free turnover-fest Laval and Saskatchewan, loosely speaking, played 12 years ago. The crowd was announced at 14,227 that clear Saturday afternoon ... and one hopes that won't look good by comparison in 20 days' time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHometown rooting interest McMaster is out; you know that since the Mac was the only OUA semifinalist \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.marauders.ca\/news\/2016\/11\/5\/football-no-7-mcmaster-falls-to-no-5-laurier-in-oua-semifinal.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewith a press release up\u003C\/a\u003E within a hour of the games ending on Saturday, but that is a post for someone else. There is also a distinct possibility of losing the boost from having an OUA team involved, since the Yates Cup winner (cough, Western) will have to win the Uteck Bowl against Laval or Montréal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESuffice to say, one might want to be braced for the possibility of a very small crowd at Tim Hortons Field on Nov. 26.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMcMaster AD \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/grunwald_glen\"\u003E@grunwald_glen\u003C\/a\u003E on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TattiAndMarsh\"\u003E@TattiAndMarsh\u003C\/a\u003E \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USportsCA\"\u003E@USportsCA\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/VanierCup?src=hash\"\u003E#VanierCup\u003C\/a\u003E tickets sales are around 4,000 so far.\" ... Time for Hamilton to step up\u003C\/div\u003E— Marshall Ferguson (@TSN_Marsh) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSN_Marsh\/status\/794668368078995456\"\u003ENovember 4, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSN_Marsh\"\u003E@TSN_Marsh\u003C\/a\u003E hence why when \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tim_micallef\"\u003E@tim_micallef\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Sportsnet\"\u003E@Sportsnet\u003C\/a\u003E would do the former CIS games there was outside interest in the league.\u003C\/div\u003E— Mike Daly (@DalyNews8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DalyNews8\/status\/794727466162130944\"\u003ENovember 5, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003EIf \"Hamilton\" steps up, great. Consumers are not obligated to buy tickets to a sports event just because it is a national championship happening in their city, especially if they have no idea who plays for the participating teams. It will not be \"Hamilton's\" fault if there is a small crowd.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt will speak to how the organization and structure of university sports works against creating the type of event atmosphere that permeates other Small Sport (hat tip: Gare Joyce) tentpole events such as the Brier, Scotties Tournament of Hearts or Memorial Cup. That is somewhat justifiable since U Sports \/ CIS trades in true student-athletes. Curlers are independent contractors and the designation of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.guelphtoday.com\/local-sports\/judges-ruling-has-to-worry-those-that-own-junior-hockey-teams-456103\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ejunior hockey players' work is, well, a matter for the courts to decide\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne presumes the reasonable goal at U Sports' new HQ is to hold a national championship game that attracts 20,000-plus spectators, which is the ballpark figure for a CFL crowd. That \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.torontosun.com\/2012\/11\/23\/record-attendance-at-vanier-cup-a-beautiful-thing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eturnout of 37,000 four years ago in Toronto was an illusory one-off\u003C\/a\u003E. The bar is likely set at the level of the golden-anniversary game in Montreal in 2014, which drew \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.torontosun.com\/2012\/11\/23\/record-attendance-at-vanier-cup-a-beautiful-thing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E22,649\u003C\/a\u003E with the hometown Carabins making their first appearance (in what was only nominally a neutral site game, he did not add).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWestern, with the groove that Chris Merchant is in, might have a chance of winning in Quebec.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe 2010 Mustangs almost did it and they didn't have a passing game. Whether Western's presence would goose sales remains to be seen. The Mustangs have \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.lfpress.com\/2016\/10\/25\/dalla-costa-western-mustangs-support-dismal\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estruggle enough getting people to watch them play in their own city\u003C\/a\u003E, let alone one 90 minutes east. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELaurier might not have anything left emotionally and physically if it upsets Western after also defeating McMaster.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThe working assumption is the game is going to end up being the UBC-Calgary Hardy Cup winner against the Laval-Montréal Dunsmore Cup winner. That isn't going to help, but it shouldn't let everyone who is in position to raise the profile of university football off the hook either.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7697693470631646383\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/football-vanier-cup-ticket-sales-are-uh.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7697693470631646383"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7697693470631646383"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/11\/football-vanier-cup-ticket-sales-are-uh.html","title":"Football: Vanier Cup ticket sales are, uh, stable"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6705475687334968863"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-30T16:02:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-08-31T10:21:29.178-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mounties"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stingers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#Top10VoterProblems: UBC opens the season No. 1, by slim margin over Montréal"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"A buzzsaw named \u003Cb\u003EDeezar \u003C\/b\u003Ecame through B.C. last weekend, but that was not enough to change voters' minds for the first football Top 10 of the season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVoters in the poll have free reign to decide how much stock to give to exhibition results, such as Manitoba's 50-7 win against defending national champion UBC last Friday at Westhills Stadium on Vancouver. Those games aren't played at full intensity, and the road team is often coming with a lean travel squad whereas the hosts will carry extra players.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe first poll of the season is always as the hardest; an invisible hand -- thank you, \u003Cb\u003EAdam Smith\u003C\/b\u003E -- tends to help a consensus develop. Six teams got at least one No. 1 vote, and there seems to be strong consensus around eight teams. That's really all that should be ranked, but for marketing purposes, you need 10 teams. A novel total would break the haters' brains.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC Thunderbirds (266, 20):\u003C\/b\u003E Never been a fan of the 'they are champs until proven otherwise' argument, since it defeats the purpose of having an opinion about who is the best. The 'Birds are young, but they showed last season that the early stages of a season aren't a be-all.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal (261, five):\u003C\/b\u003E The line out of the Carabins' camp: \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.tvasports.ca\/2016\/08\/29\/la-carte-cachee-des-carabins\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEven the pope is replaceable\u003C\/a\u003E.\" New quarterback\u003Cb\u003E Samuel Caron\u003C\/b\u003E has been in the system for a few seasons, and aged-out\u003Cb\u003E Gabriel Cousineau \u003C\/b\u003Ehas stayed on as an assistant coach. Time will tell how U de M manages the transition.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (218):\u003C\/b\u003E For the first time in memory, Laval comes out of the chute without someone thinking they are No. 1. They are rebuilding, relatively, and perhaps the age cap finally is starting to have an effect.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (188, two):\u003C\/b\u003E As a greater mind put it, good to see the blowout issue has been addressed in Ontario! The Mustangs beat Windsor by 72 points in the opener. Last season, they met in Week 1 and Western won by 69. Defensive lineman \u003Cb\u003EJohn Biewald\u003C\/b\u003E, who was in camp with the Ottawa RedBlacks, returns to #The613 for Sunday's game against Carleton. As if he won't find motivation intrinsically.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba (182, one): \u003C\/b\u003ESomeone put stock in the wipeout at Westshore, judging from the first-place vote. \u003Cb\u003ETheo Deezar\u003C\/b\u003E had three touchdown passes. The Bisons welcome in Calgary on Thursday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (177): \u003C\/b\u003EAll three rotational tailbacks got exactly 11 totes against U of T, with aptly named \u003Cb\u003EMack Jones \u003C\/b\u003Ecounting 92 yards and two TDs. Outside linebacker \u003Cb\u003ERiley Baines\u003C\/b\u003E, who missed the Yates Cup season while upgrading some courses, made his return with a sack last week.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (147, two):\u003C\/b\u003E Lose the Hardy Cup two seasons in a row and everyone forgets you have been pretty damn good for a long time. I put Calgary in my top 5, and not just because new QB1 \u003Cb\u003EJimmy Underdahl\u003C\/b\u003E is a left-hander, which is rare in three-down football for reasons no one has ever been able to explain.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (146, one): Asher Hastings\u003C\/b\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E Dan Vandervoort \u003C\/b\u003Eand the whole Maroon and Grey gang averaged 9.8 yards per play in the 40-10 win against Carleton. Mac's September slate is Toronto-Waterloo-Ottawa-bye, so there might be some opportunity to be a little experimental before that circled date on the calendar, Oct. 1 vs. Guelph. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn little more than a hunch, I had Mac at No. 4 with Montréal, Western, Calgary as the top three and Laval at No. 5.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECarleton (37):\u003C\/b\u003E The Ravens certainly were caught off-guard against McMaster, and it doesn't get much easier with Western coming to the nation's capital on Sunday. It is a pivotal season for CU, since underachieving is going to slow the momentum the program had at the launch phase. A greater concern than the 30-point loss is that key defender\u003Cb\u003E D'Sean Thelwell \u003C\/b\u003Egot banged up last Sunday. Still a good chance of being a 6-2 team.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (37):\u003C\/b\u003E Since the other two big-boy conferences have yet to play, having a fourth OUA team as a placeholder at No. 10 makes sense. There's some evidence on them, compared to Concordia or Saskatchewan. Laurier's Onyekas were outstanding against Queen's: \u003Cb\u003ENakus Onyeka \u003C\/b\u003Ehad nine tackles and two sacks, whereas \u003Cb\u003EGodfrey Onyeka \u003C\/b\u003Ehoused an interception return for the ahead-for-good TD.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003EAlso receiving votes: Concordia (18), Saskatchewan (13), St. Francis Xavier (6), Mount Allison (5), Sherbrooke (2).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;3½\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6705475687334968863\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/08\/top10voterproblems-ubc-opens-season-no.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6705475687334968863"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6705475687334968863"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/08\/top10voterproblems-ubc-opens-season-no.html","title":"#Top10VoterProblems: UBC opens the season No. 1, by slim margin over Montréal"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-1935137861222153651"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-13T15:40:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-08-13T17:53:10.166-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"NFL"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Ex-Dino Rashaun Simonise makes 47-yard reception in NFL preseason "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Rashaun Simonise made the most of his limited exposure in the Cincinnati Bengals' exhibition opener, suffice to say.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe former Calgary Dinos receiver turned a quick slant into a 47-yard reception during Cincinnati's 17-16 defeat against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night. Who needs a waggle?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EHey this seems familiar. Former \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\"\u003E@UCDinos\u003C\/a\u003E Simonise goes for 47 yards on first catch in NFL pre-season game. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Jf0KoEmabR\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/Jf0KoEmabR\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Jon (@jonathanwhudson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonathanwhudson\/status\/764539812044939264\"\u003EAugust 13, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003EThe first exhibition comes before the cutdown from 90 to 80 players. Cincinnati is looking at a lot of receivers to draw in on the depth chart beneath \u003Cb\u003EA.J. Green\u003C\/b\u003E, who may or may not have helped a certain bloggist win his fantasy league last fall. Another \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cincinnati.com\/story\/sports\/nfl\/bengals\/2016\/08\/12\/vikings-drop-bengals-preseason-opener\/88639890\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Erookie receiver housed an 80-yard punt return touchdown\u003C\/a\u003E, which probably didn't help anyone else's cause.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBe that as it may, that is 'Canada West speed,' people. For Simonise, who started exploring pro options after being declared academically ineligible to play for Calgary, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cincinnati.com\/story\/sports\/nfl\/bengals\/2016\/08\/08\/bengals-walkthru-simonise-story-unique-they-come\/88387254\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehis floor might be a shot on the practice squad\u003C\/a\u003E. He's 6-foot-5, fleet of foot and only 21, so to the Bengals, retaining Simonise could almost be like getting a tiny jump on starting their 2017 rookie class.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/1935137861222153651\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/08\/football-ex-dino-rashaun-simonise-makes.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1935137861222153651"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1935137861222153651"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/08\/football-ex-dino-rashaun-simonise-makes.html","title":"Football: Ex-Dino Rashaun Simonise makes 47-yard reception in NFL preseason "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5615114866505697220"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-22T11:35:00.002-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-22T11:35:30.188-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Calgary Stampeders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Calgary Stampeders list Andrew Buckley, CIS QB, No. 3 on depth chart"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELike any good fan, I oscillate 180 degrees on the\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Canadian quarterback debate.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, this is in the Stampeders post since Andrew Buckley \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/calgaryherald.com\/sports\/football\/dickenson-explains-final-roster-moves\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eearned the No. 3 quarterback job fully on his merits\u003C\/a\u003E, beating out Bryant Moniz. The 22-year-old Calgary Dinos grad took on the 27-year-old from a FBS passing factory, Hawai'i, and proved he had the best combination of skills and unscratched potential. It is even more encouraging to see that since this is happening with the strongest organization in the CFL, which hasn't been wrong about quarterbacks too often over the past decade.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe realist argument is that there should be an open market to play the most important position in the game. That means any Canadian passer with CFL ambitions has to accept that it is one vs. 100 in comparison to competing against Americans who have likely played D-1 or D-2, run a spread offence since junior high and played in 7-in-7 leagues. Professional teams have only finite patience with incoming athletes and Americans in the Nopuck team sports develop more quickly than Canadians, probably due to more intense youth leagues and the parental prerogative for early one-sport specialization.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EAt the same time, it feels like the\u003Ci\u003E Canadian \u003C\/i\u003EFootball League is missing something when a QB from north of the border starts about once every decade or two. Montreal's\u003Cb\u003E Brandon Bridge\u003C\/b\u003E, when he briefly started early in 2015, was the first Canadian to do so. Brad Sinopoli's reinvention as an inside receiver has been wonderful, but he was still shy of 25 years old when he stopped being a quarterback.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere needs to be more effort in R\u0026amp;D — \u0026nbsp;research and development, crazy notions, \u003Ci\u003EI know\u003C\/i\u003E — that will help give a good Canadian athlete a chance to play quarterback, in either league. Those non-roster invites to training camp a good sop but ultimately standing behind the \"ones\" during drills might not do a whole lot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEither way, Buckley's breakthrough is much more than a feel-good story. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Aforementioned Andrew Buckley, only player in CIS history to win a Hec Crighton and a Russ Jackson Award, is the third-string quarterback.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EAnthony Parker\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Calgary), though, has exactly 85 receptions for 1,000 yards across the last three seasons, which is eminently playable wide-side production.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESince feature back \u003Cb\u003EJerome Messam \u003C\/b\u003Eand blocking back\u003Cb\u003E Rob Cote \u003C\/b\u003Eare also nationals, that makes it incumbent upon Calgary to develop two similar body types, William Langlais (Sherbrooke) and Charlie Power (Saskatchewan), as utility backs. One is 6-foot-3, 238 pounds from the U de S and the other is 6-3, 231 from the U of S. Got it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHaving the Messam\/Cote combo gives Calgary ratio flexibility in the receiving corps and defence. \u003Cb\u003ESimon Charbonneau-Campeau\u003C\/b\u003E (Sherbrooke) is the replacement-level utility receiver.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — \u003Cb\u003EPierre Lavertu\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) is the reigning West Division all-star centre, with Roman Grozman (Concordia) and \u003Cb\u003ECam Thorn\u003C\/b\u003E (Guelph) both getting on-the-job training as developing interior linemen. Even though all five starters had significant injury absences, Calgary gave up the fewest sacks while going 14-4 and reaching the West final for the seventh time in eight seasons. Big \u003Cb\u003EShane Bergman\u003C\/b\u003E (Western) is now a fixture at left guard, while\u003Cb\u003E Dan Federkeil\u003C\/b\u003E (Calgary) is a star at right tackle.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — Those who would love to see phased-in increase in Canadian starters might cite Calgary's imbalance, with 11 Americans starting (going by the final preseason depth chart). Defensive tackle\u003Cb\u003E Quinn Smith\u003C\/b\u003E (Concordia), whose backup is\u003Cb\u003E Derek Wiggan\u003C\/b\u003E (Queen's), is the only first-stringer who brings his 'eh' game. Veteran\u003Cb\u003E Junior Turner\u003C\/b\u003E (Bishop's) has been a productive rotational D-lineman for several seasons.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBen D'Aguilar \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Mike Kashak \u003C\/b\u003E(both McMaster) are reserves at defensive end. Max Caron (Concordia) is on the practice squad.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— The luxury of that well-cultivated depth means Calgary can count on\u003Cb\u003E Jeff Hecht\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's),\u003Cb\u003E Adam Berger\u003C\/b\u003E (Simon Fraser) and\u003Cb\u003E Adam Thibault\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) to play mostly special teams.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— The way it should be! Kicker \u003Cb\u003ERene Paredes\u003C\/b\u003E (Concordia) and \u003Cb\u003ERob Maver\u003C\/b\u003E (pre-\u003Cb\u003EStu Lang\u003C\/b\u003E Guelph) each have only one job. Expect the TSN commentators to make way too much out of long snapper \u003Cb\u003EPierre-Luc Caron\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) being a rookie.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5615114866505697220\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-calgary-stampeders-list-andrew.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5615114866505697220"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5615114866505697220"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-calgary-stampeders-list-andrew.html","title":"CIS-Con: Calgary Stampeders list Andrew Buckley, CIS QB, No. 3 on depth chart"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6823851554403771910"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-21T22:07:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-21T22:07:48.576-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hamilton Tiger-Cats"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Hamilton Tiger-Cats shuffle Courtney Stephen (Laurier) to safety"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo dissemble in Costanza-esque fashion, the Tiger-Cats are right in the meaty part of the curve with how they use their Canadian talent — not showing off, not falling behind.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe five Canadians on the offence are the centre, both guards, an inside receiver and a wideout, and all five played in CIS. The two Canadians on the D both played Division 1. Defensive tackle\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ETed Laurent\u003C\/b\u003E played for Mississippi (where Ticats HC\u003Cb\u003E Kent Austin \u003C\/b\u003Eonce coached) and\u0026nbsp;safety \u003Cb\u003ECourtney Stephen\u003C\/b\u003E played at Northern Illinois after transferring from Laurier.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo be fair, Stephen is the safety spot normally occupied by erstwhile all-star\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ECraig Butler \u003C\/b\u003E(Western), \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3downnation.com\/2016\/03\/23\/15687\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewho has a knee injury that will likely need extensive rest in order to heal\u003C\/a\u003E. Otherwise Hamilton would have a surplus of nationals who are established starters.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Slotback \u003Cb\u003EAndy Fantuz\u003C\/b\u003E (Western) is now an elder statesman, entering his 11th season.\u003Cb\u003E Spencer Watt\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E(Simon Fraser, before it \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mqIcjt5JNr0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebecame the team who must not be named\u003C\/a\u003E) is making a comeback after losing all of last season with an Achilles injury. Before that misfortune, Watt had a skein of solid 350- to 400-yard receiving seasons with Toronto.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGood news for Calgary Dinos supporters: alumni\u003Cb\u003E Anthony Woodson \u003C\/b\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003EMercer Timmis \u003C\/b\u003Eare reunited on the running back depth chart. Bad news for them: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thespec.com\/sports-story\/6734386-here-s-how-the-ticats-will-line-up\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eboth are nursing injuries\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — Guard \u003Cb\u003ERyan Bomben\u003C\/b\u003E (Guelph) and centre \u003Cb\u003EMike Filer \u003C\/b\u003E(Mount Allison) are part of a an all-national interior-line trio.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — With \u003Cb\u003ETed Laurent\u003C\/b\u003E starting in the interior, \u003Cb\u003ELinden Gaydosh \u003C\/b\u003E(Calgary) is waiting in the wings as the backup.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAmong the Canadian linebackers, 28-year-old \u003Cb\u003EFrédéric Plesius\u003C\/b\u003E (Baylor \/ Laval) is first man up ahead of\u003Cb\u003E Byron Archambault \u003C\/b\u003E(Montréal), \u003Cb\u003ETerrell Davis \u003C\/b\u003E(UBC),\u003Cb\u003E Beau Landry\u003C\/b\u003E (Western) and\u003Cb\u003E Ron Omara\u003C\/b\u003E (St. FX).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— As noted, Stephen (Laurier \/ No. Illinois) is in a new position in a vastly altered Tiger-Cats secondary. \u003Cb\u003EMike Daly\u003C\/b\u003E (McMaster), of 2011 Marauders fame, and \u003Cb\u003EJay Langa\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's) are depth players at safety.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESeventh-rounder \u003Cb\u003EMitch Barnett\u003C\/b\u003E from Vanier Cup champion UBC is following the common progression from university linebacker to CFL special-teamer who is listed at D-back. Barnett, of course, was Canada West's second-leading tackler and recorded 4½ sacks in the eight reg-season games.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— \u003Cb\u003EAaron Crawford\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's) and\u003Cb\u003E Mathieu Girard\u003C\/b\u003E (Montréal) are each on the roster. That means the Ticats have two long snappers to work with triple-duty kicker \u003Cb\u003EBrett Maher\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6823851554403771910\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-hamilton-tiger-cats-shuffle.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6823851554403771910"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6823851554403771910"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-hamilton-tiger-cats-shuffle.html","title":"CIS-Con: Hamilton Tiger-Cats shuffle Courtney Stephen (Laurier) to safety"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6634706482274551519"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-14T11:41:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-21T15:24:35.265-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ottawa Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stingers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Ottawa Redblacks trying Jake Harty, Dinos alum, at wide-side wideout"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next nine days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the right side of the Ottawa Redblacks offensive line in flux, \u003Cb\u003EJake Harty\u003C\/b\u003E is showing that he can foster some flexibility with the ratio.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Redblacks, needless to say, did not take Harty from the Calgary Dinos with the No. 10 overall choice in 2015 just to have him tear downfield like a banshee on punt and kickoff coverage. The 25-year-old is showing more polish as a wide-side wide receiver while working with the Henry Burris-helmed first-string offence. Burris and Harty renewed their Calgary connection early in Monday's excruciation game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with the second-year wideout getting two catches for 36 yards from his three targets. Harty made a nice cut on a post route for a 22-yard catch on Ottawa's opening series. In the second quarter, Harty laid out for a 14-yard catch to help Ottawa pick up on second-and-8. In his time, he ran tight, precise routes on almost every down, which is a good indicator for someone at the receiver spot that typically sees the fewest targets.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"For me, the mental game, coming back and understanding the playbook, is huge,\" Harty said after the 18-14 Redblacks win. \"Understanding the mental game builds your confidence. You're able to go out there and play and not think. You know what to expect.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"This off-season, I've been working on my routes, everything. It is the little things when you get to the next level.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EHarty, at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, is bigger than most receivers who line up on the field side. Ottawa also had third-year international \u003Cb\u003EKhalil Paden\u003C\/b\u003E as an option at the spot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"Jake's made a lot of plays for us in training camp and we know his playmaking ability, coming off of last year,\" Burris said. \"He looked like he'd been doing it for years.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOttawa managed the rare feat of keeping their O-line intact for all 20 games in 2015, which was a big part of becoming the Eastern rep at the Grey Cup. \u003Cb\u003ENolan MacMillan\u003C\/b\u003E, whom ideally would have slid over from right guard to the vacated right tackle, has been nursing a wrist ailment. Harty showing he can handle the spot would create an option to play three Americans on the line.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBurris and Harty have a kinship. Burris and Harty regularly trained together when both were based in Calgary, and in 2010 the receiver practised with the Stampeders.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"It was awesome, and once I got drafted here it was a thrill to play with Henry again,\" Harty said. \"When you're catching passes from one of the best quarterbacks to play in the CFL — the best quarterback in the CFL, it's great.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECoach \u003Cb\u003ERick Campbell \u003C\/b\u003Eindicated that he would be comfortable going with Harty.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the CFL season kicking off on June 23, here is the best synopsis on where the CIS grads fit in with Ottawa.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Of course, in addition to Harty, \u003Cb\u003EBrad Sinopoli\u003C\/b\u003E (uOttawa) returns at No. 3 receiver after a breakout 1,000-yard season. Ottawa has another Canadian catching passes with fullback\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EPatrick Lavoie\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKienan Lafrance\u003C\/b\u003E (Manitoba) was listed third at running back on Monday. Ottawa GM Marcel Desjardins might be burning up a lot of his data searching for RB candidates after starter William Powell suffered a knee injury on Monday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESinopoli and Lavoie's respective backups, \u003Cb\u003EBrendan Gillanders\u003C\/b\u003E (uOttawa) and \u003Cb\u003EScott MacDonnell\u003C\/b\u003E (Queen's), should shore up what were some dodgy special teams units for much of 2015.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — Ottawa's top four Canadian linemen are all Football Bowl Subdivision grads. \u003Cb\u003EMatthew Albright\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's) got a lot of work at guard on Monday, though.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — \u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EAntoine Pruneau\u003C\/b\u003E (Montréal) is ensconced as a rangy\u003Ci\u003E secondeur \u003C\/i\u003Ewho can cover the pass. The Redblacks seem intent on having a two-Canadian front four, and\u003Cb\u003E Arnaud Gascon-Nadon\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) is penciled in at defensive end. Gascon-Nadon had a strip sack on Monday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFormer OUA sack leader \u003Cb\u003EEttore Lattanzio \u003C\/b\u003E(uOttawa) was listed as a backup to national starting D-tackle \u003Cb\u003EZack Evans \u003C\/b\u003Eon Monday. On a pass rush in the second quarter, the undersized Lattanzio made a nice inside move that led to a Winnipeg holding penalty. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENot surprisingly for a team in the bilingual National Capital Region, Ottawa knows it does not hurt to have a few Quebecers on the roster. Linebacker \u003Cb\u003EJonathan Beaulieu-Richard\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Montréal)\u0026nbsp;seems locked in as a\u0026nbsp;trustyworthy special teamer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— Ottawa's cover corps are all American. Second-rounder \u003Cb\u003EMikaël Charland \u003C\/b\u003E(Concordia, eligibility remaining) is being eyed as a special teams contributor.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— The ideal in the CFL, with the 18-game schedule and so many kicking plays, is having two Canadians who can perform in all three capacities. \u003Cb\u003EChristopher Milo \u003C\/b\u003E(Laval) stabilized Ottawa's placekicking. \u003Cb\u003ERonnie Pfeffer\u003C\/b\u003E (Laurier), last season's punter, didn't complete Monday's game due to injury.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMilo can be kicker and punter, but is probably better handling only the former.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6634706482274551519\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-ottawa-redblacks-trying-jake.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6634706482274551519"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6634706482274551519"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-ottawa-redblacks-trying-jake.html","title":"CIS-Con: Ottawa Redblacks trying Jake Harty, Dinos alum, at wide-side wideout"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7756184430677519368"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-21T02:51:00.002-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-21T15:56:04.607-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#2016Final8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS Final 8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#CISFinal8: Thomas Cooper, and the roll call of 'Canada Southwest' "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"VANCOUVER — Thomas Cooper averred he is coming back to the Calgary Dinos, and there probably will be a few more Americans following his lead to 'Canada Southwest.'\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe runner-up Dinos' starting five in Sunday's CIS final against Carleton was a perfect reflection of the trend that as more Canadians go south to play, more players from outside Canada are coming north. Along with Cooper, a Chattanooga, Tenn., small forward who counted 76 points in three Final 8 games to earn an all-star nod, the Dinos ran with Australian fifth-year guard Josh Owen-Thomas and German forward Lars Schlueter.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAll 17 Canada West men's teams included at least one non-Canadian this season. The trend is apparent in the women's game, too, where the Saskatchewan Huskies won the national title with Sabine Dukate, a Latvian, as a starting guard.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;Cooper, who previously played at Nebraska-Kearney, felt renewed playing in Canada, with the shorter 24-second clock.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"It's definitely fun, because you have to be in better shape, make quicker decisions, better plays,\" Cooper said. \"All of those things, I'll definitely be back and I'll want another shot at it.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe move is somewhat a scaled version of what's happened in the NBA and NCAA.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"You can fight it or embrace it, and we've chosen to embrace it,\" Thompson Rivers coach Scott Clark \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pTtMuxVGNiQ\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etold Krown Countdown U in January (19:00 mark)\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's also a necessity, since growth of post-secondary education in the two westernmost provinces has surpassed the pool of basketball talent. For instance, UBC and UVic long had British Columbia to themselves at the university level, but five Interior schools now play. Thompson Rivers, Trinity Western and Fraser Valley have all been tournament teams. Likewise, Alberta has gone from three to five since MacEwan and Mount Royal moved over from the college league.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"If we keep expanding and bringing other teams in, it narrows the recruiting base,\" Dinos coach Dan Vanhooren said. \"Our populations aren't the same as Ontario or even Quebec.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith an extra season to play and only 24 seconds to take a shot, there's benefits to playing in Canada. The top competition is Division 1-calibre.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"It's been demonstrated many times, whether we play in the U.S. or they come up here, that our top 8-10 teams can compete with the NCAA teams,\" Vanhooren said.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, a Division 1 team has a huge recruiting budget. Vanhooren was able to initiate contact with Cooper and Schlueter through former Dinos now working in the U.S. and Germany.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EUltimately, good to know how Canada West is trying to catch up. For anyone outside Canada West wondering, Calgary is the new normal. It's like Americans, Australians and Europeans are respecting the brand of b-ball here more than a lot of Canadians.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstyle type=\"text\/css\"\u003E table.tableizer-table { font-size: 12px; border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #CCC; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } \u003C\/style\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable class=\"tableizer-table\"\u003E\u003Cthead\u003E\u003Ctr class=\"tableizer-firstrow\"\u003E\u003Cth\u003EAlberta Golden Bears\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003EColey Jackson\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003ELas Vegas, NV\u003C\/th\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/thead\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBrandon Bobcats\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDJ Jordan\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWichita Falls, TX\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EEarl Thompson Jr.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHenderson, NV\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EJohn Paul\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBexon, St. Lucia\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUBC Thunderbirds\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EA.J. Holloway\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ETacoma, WA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EPhil Jalalpoor\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EShifferstadt, Germany\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDominic Gilbert\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESydney, Australia\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUBC-O Heat\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBrian Ademba\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ENairobi, Kenya\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECalgary Dinos\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EThomas Cooper\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EChattanooga, TN\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EJosh Owen-Thomas\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAdelaide, Australia\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELars Schlueter\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUlm, Germany\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EFraser Valley Cascades\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ENate Brown\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EFresno, CA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMark Johnson\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EPalm Springs, CA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELethbridge Pronghorns\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDejon Burdeaux\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOakland, CA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECarl Hoffman\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERancho Palos Verdes, CA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBrandon Brine\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAdelaide, Australia\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMacEwan Griffins\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EThadius Galvez\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOgden, UT\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EManitoba Bisons\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EIlarion Bonhomme II\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWashington, DC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMount Royal Cougars\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGlen Yang*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHong Kong, China\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUNBC Timberwolves\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAustin Chandler\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWenatchee, WA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERhys Elliott\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAdelaide, Australia\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EVaggelis Loukas\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAthens, Greece\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERegina Cougars\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAlex Igual\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBarcelona, Spain\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERawane Ndiaye\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ENew York, NY\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EZach Mihalicz\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EParker, CO\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESaskatchewan Huskies\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EShawn Lathan\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESan Diego, CA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ETRU WolfPack\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMauricio Medrano\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELos Altos, CA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGerald Gore\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESt. John's, Antigua\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EVolodymyr Iegorov\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDonetsk, Ukraine\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ETWU Spartans\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EKelvin Smith\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELos Angeles, CA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EPogos Trunyan\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESacramento, CA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESebastien Eliasen\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDenmark\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EVictoria Vikes\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EKai Green\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESeattle, WA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGrant Sitton\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBrush Prairie, WA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWinnipeg Wesmen\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERyan Oirbans\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMelbourne, Australia\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECalifornia, not surprisingly given its population, had eight players in the league, followed by Australians and four from Washington state. I nine counties and seven U.S. states plus the District of Columbia. Mount Royal's Glen Yang did move to Canada while still in high school.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7756184430677519368\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/cisfinal8-thomas-cooper-and-roll-call.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7756184430677519368"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7756184430677519368"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/cisfinal8-thomas-cooper-and-roll-call.html","title":"#CISFinal8: Thomas Cooper, and the roll call of 'Canada Southwest' "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5234110368018998570"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-21T02:28:00.002-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-21T08:34:50.163-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#2016Final8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS Final 8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#CISFinal8: Carleton nets 101, highest championship game total in 44 years"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"VANCOUVER — Pun time: Carleton gave a master class in Basketball 101. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Carleton Ravens had their own Sweet 16, as in the number of three-point baskets they sank during their 101-79 CIS Final 8 championship-game win against the Calgary Dinos. It was a far cry off from the score in the previous championship game in Vancouver in 1972, when UBC defeated Windsor 117-84 without benefit of a shot clock or three-point line. Still, it's notable when a team does something that hasn't happened in the national final in 44 years.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was a classic example of Carleton getting their players dialed in for the final challenge. Graduating guard Gavin Resch hit the first and was afforded open look after open look, making 6-of-12 triple tries for 18 points.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"I shot so poorly in the first two games that i figured my luck would have to even out eventually,\" said Resch, who was 4-of-15 on threes against Thompson Rivers and Dalhousie. \"Once I hit the first I felt good and kept shooting.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the Ravens setting tight ball screens, that Calgary never seemed to adjust to, the looks were wide-open. Four players tripled in the first 10 minutes. Tournament MVP Connor Wood (22, 5-of-12 from deep), centre and B.C. native Cam Smythe (2-of-4) and rookie T.J. Lall (2-of-2) all had multiple triples.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"They shot the ball well, and we didn't provide a whole lot of resistance,\" Calgary coach\u003Cb\u003E Dan Vanhooren \u003C\/b\u003Esaid. \"The game was going up and down, the style we played all year, We couldn't keep it in front of us, and they hit a lot of three-balls.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECalgary was 20-of-25 at the free-throw line to Carleton's 5-of-10. It still lost by 22. The Dinos shot an effective 45 per cent (19-of-38 twos, 7-of-28 threes). Carleton was an effective 59.3% (24-of-45, 16-of-36).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"We haven't had 16 threes shot against us all year,\" said Dinos star\u003Cb\u003E Thomas Cooper\u003C\/b\u003E, who had a game-high 25 points but also was charged with nine turnovers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe century points came when forward\u003Cb\u003E Ryan Ejim \u003C\/b\u003E(12 points) tapped in a miss in the final minute. In past finals, Carleton has eased off the throttle in a semiconscious effort not hit triple digits.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe point was made to Smart that he can point out to Dave Smart that breaking 100 in a championship game occurred on his watch.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"That's a pretty good jab, I'll have to use that,\" the interim coach said.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5234110368018998570\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/cisfinal8-carleton-nets-101-highest.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5234110368018998570"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5234110368018998570"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/cisfinal8-carleton-nets-101-highest.html","title":"#CISFinal8: Carleton nets 101, highest championship game total in 44 years"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-4348570749692665409"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-20T19:15:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-20T20:43:12.422-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Martlets"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tommies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Wishful Thinking Wednesday"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Women's Puck Bracketology"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Women's Puck Bracketology: Montreal routs out newbie UBC; SMU medals; a passionate plea for STU"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Editor's note: In the interest of sustaining conversation, the plan for the three hockey and hoops nationals threads that I am off-site for is to have some belated Wishful Thinking Wednesday posts that pertain to each championship. Below that will be an open thread with results and whatnot.)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Super Championship weekend, let's get this inked in right off the hop, is a winner for CIS.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd, and I swear this occurred to me before the St. Thomas Tommies -- shunted to the No. 8 seed so the Calgary \u003Cb\u003EHayley\u003C\/b\u003E's Comet Has Gones could play the prime-time Friday quarter-final, l\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/wice\/2016\/boxscores_champ\/20160317_x11u.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eost to No. 1 Guelph\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhy not try to have the women's hockey and hoops championships \u0026nbsp;as close together as possible, and aim to have the men's basketball Final 8 and men's hockey University Cups in cities that are safe driving distance, for the diehards or alumni that might have a school make both?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe SCW is a great idea; this Shelbyville Idea is a next step. The regionalists will howl, but everyone will get a turn, and this gets out in front of the coming day when some of these tournaments are going to get too extensive for one school to bid. In fact, that day is already here?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe SCW should not be walked back. You need to be seen, and as it stands, wall-to-walling it with the eight semifinals and four finals in hockey and hoops makes sense.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat of having an atmosphere? 'Having a national conversation about CIS, it might make sense to somewhat tether these tentpole tournaments.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EThe female teams might have a better forum for their talent and effort if the hockey and hoops tournaments were staged in close proximity. More work for the host(s), but more CIS-fluent people descending on one spot for 4-5 days, more of a cluster occurs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey would probably come up with better ideas than this off-the-cuff stuff. Does it sound like I am spending a second consecutive weekend blogging at a university with a combo basketball\/hockey facility?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe same could work for the University Cup and men's Final 8, although in that case, it just be more workable to get schools within a two-hour drive of one another hosting. There are, and will soon, be a lot more OHL-size arenas that can be converted for basketball.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJust a thought. Suppose St. Thomas and UNB — \u0026nbsp;if only, if only, there was a power couple, say a V-Reds man and a Tommies woman, who are passionate about sports and Fredericton could get 'em around the table — had partnered. UNB hosting the W-Final 8, then they put in a bid for women's hockey, with STU as the host team. It would involve that whole Freddy Beach community, and win-win-win, make reparations for UNB dropping its women's varsity a few years ago.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EResults so far\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMedal Games\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGold\/silver: Montréal 8, UBC 0\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E— \u003C\/b\u003EThe more established program was ready and UBC was a little out of its depth. The mere fact that the Thunderbirds were there is great.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBronze: Saint Mary's 3, Guelph 1\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/b\u003EMake it two CIS bronze medals for women's Huskies teams in the same day, and two in hockey for a total of three. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo what happened? Saint Mary's\u003Cb\u003E Nicole Blanche \u003C\/b\u003Egot the icebreaker 1:49 into the game, and SMU got to play from ahead the whole afternoon.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat's French-language school, West Coast school and East Coast school on the podium. Great to see for a CIS league that is still shy of its 20th anniversary.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESemifinal Saturday\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC 2 Guelph 1 (OTS) \/ Montreal 3 Saint Mary's 2\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E— \u003C\/b\u003EVery, very few sports seem to get a final four of conference champs, or even one with all four involved. Each was a close game. Focus there!\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQuarter-finals\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2\/7\/3\/6 pod\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's Huskies 1 Western Mustangs 0 — \u003C\/b\u003EThe karma just keeps on coming, does it not? Former UNB player\u003Cb\u003E Sylvia Bryson\u003C\/b\u003E wins her case to have the women's hockey Varsity Reds reinstated. Then Saint Mary's, once pulled back from the chopping block, has won AUS and took out the defending champs. The Huskies'\u003Cb\u003E Rebecca Clark\u003C\/b\u003E's 26-save shutout including facing down a 44-second two-woman power play in the third.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMight we retire the \"goalie stood tall with [X number of] saves\" cliché? Even \u003Cb\u003EDarren Pang\u003C\/b\u003E stood tall. By definition, this is the only way to stand, although there is no end of ways to stop a shot.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal Carabins 4 Calgary Dinos 0 — \u003C\/b\u003EThe same two cities that played in the Clarkson Cup last weekend.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1\/8\/4\/5 pod\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph 3, St. Thomas Tommies 0\u0026nbsp;—\u003C\/b\u003E It is truly lamentable that STU got Lamenta'd, as Guelph goalie \u003Cb\u003EValerie Lamenta\u003C\/b\u003E had an 18-save shutout.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC Thunderbirds 4, McGill Martlets 2 (eng) \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E— We like a 'bird' team from a school that faced Montreal in football last fall in the semi. Now, if you haven't \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/british-columbia\/danielle-dube-39-year-old-mother-leads-ubc-into-hockey-playoffs-1.3473084\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eread the story from two weeks back about UBC's 40-year-old goalie\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EDanielle Dube\u003C\/b\u003E, please do, and share it on social media.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/4348570749692665409\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/womens-puck-bracketology-guelph.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4348570749692665409"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4348570749692665409"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/womens-puck-bracketology-guelph.html","title":"Women's Puck Bracketology: Montreal routs out newbie UBC; SMU medals; a passionate plea for STU"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7207417983220020077"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-20T13:04:00.004-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-21T14:46:42.919-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#2016Final8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS Final 8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#CISFinal8: A one-off Carleton Ravens title would be very Smart"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"VANCOUVER — Rob Smart would be the least affected if this turns out to be a one-shot deal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhether his uncle returns at 'C1' at the Ravens' Nest or \u003Cb\u003EDave Smart \u003C\/b\u003Emoves onward and upward after coaching for Canada during its bid for a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the younger Smart wouldn not change. Also, regardless of who cuts down the nets after Sunday's CIS Final 8 game between the Ravens who were supposed to be rebuilding or a new challenger, one-on-one scorer extraordinaire \u003Cb\u003EThomas Cooper\u003C\/b\u003E and the Calgary Dinos, the mental framework will be the same inside the Ravens' Nest in about a week. It will be on to 2016-17.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGo figure that a team from Ottawa would know how to snow-job the lot of outside-looking-inner types. You can hear the hot takes flying off the 140-character grill: \u003Ci\u003Ewhat does it say that Carleton could win the title after Dave Smart stepped out and Phil Scrubb and Thomas Scrubb, who were each a human trump card at each end of the floor?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EIt says, actually, that the Ravens, no matter who coaches, are geared to hitting their stride on the last Sunday of the season. Like Doctor Who, the dynasty does not die, it just regenerates, with the same focused coaching staff that serves the players a game plan full of lean protein and no mental fat.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe best cross-sports analogy is probably swimming. Swimmers put in heavy training, and go to meets fully expectant that they will not post a personal best. It's all about that one weekend.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"We feel like we work the hardest throughout the year,\" said fourth-year shooting guard\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EConnor Wood\u003C\/b\u003E, who had nine of his 18 on Saturday when the Ravens put away Dalhousie with a 16-4 third-quarter run. \"I feel like we had a couple of losses where it was just, learning. At the end is where we start to reach our potential.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe twigs, the cogs given numbers that practically correspond to their portfolio on the parquet, grow as they were bent eons ago. So Number 10, the cocksure volume shooter, goes from\u003Cb\u003E Elliot Thompson\u003C\/b\u003E to Wood. For a further example Numbers 22 and Number 33 are twos and threes who bring a well-toned energy to the right, meaning that one cannot see\u003Cb\u003E Mitchell Wood \u003C\/b\u003Eor \u003Cb\u003EMarcus Anderson \u003C\/b\u003Emake an impact play without thinking fondly of \u003Cb\u003ECole Hobin \u003C\/b\u003Eor\u003Cb\u003E Rob Saunders \u003C\/b\u003Ea half-decade back. Number 3 is the DBO, Designated Bailout shooter, with\u003Cb\u003E Gavin Resch \u003C\/b\u003Efurnishing what \u003Cb\u003EMike Kenny\u003C\/b\u003E once did.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe two newcomers, D1-transfer lead guard\u003Cb\u003E Kaza Kajami-Keane \u003C\/b\u003Eand prep-school-groomed 7-foot big\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ECam Smythe\u003C\/b\u003E, transferred in and wear 41 and 21, which isn't indicative of anything. Those digits were just available for the newcomers who moved in mid-eligibility.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is all about doing everything possible in order to truly \u003Ci\u003Eexpect to win\u003C\/i\u003E. That is the end goal, and honestly, it must be very fulfilling to be at a level where you don't \u003Ci\u003Ehave\u003C\/i\u003E to enjoy winning. Face it, most of us, maybe this projecting, need that confirmation of, to quote the theme song from the Shamateur Sports Hunger Games Hoops Invitational that still gives chill bumps, \"just how hard you worked.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EApply that to anything, like that sports loss that still burns a little, speaking as a Minnesota Vikings fan. It would be a lot easier.\u0026nbsp;Robert C. Smart, nephew of Dave, son of Rob Sr., has been steeped in that his whole life. It doesn't necessarily means losses slide by, If anything, those can be harder, since it spawns second-guessing about whether they did everything. Extrapolating, though, it does mean having a framework to get past it and start over.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECalgary, with a 25-a-night scorer in Cooper, a very good and gutsy guard\u003Cb\u003E David Kapinga \u003C\/b\u003Eand some Alberta beef down low, is a worthy challenger.\u003Cb\u003E Dan Vanhooren \u003C\/b\u003Erates this opportunity, surely. They might pull this off. You never know, until Carleton makes it feel inevitable.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EConfirmation bias is good like that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe two turnt-up teams whose athleticism, physicality and lights-out shooting have overcame Carleton during the run each got the Ravens in the semifinal of the 1\/8\/4\/5 half of the draw. The 2008 Acadia Axemen had\u003Cb\u003E Leo Saintil \u003C\/b\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003EAchuil Lual \u003C\/b\u003Eto harry CIS player of the year\u003Cb\u003E Aaron Doornekamp\u003C\/b\u003E into a 4-of-23 night in that double-OT semifinal, and it still took the Axemen about 30 minutes of 55 per cent floor shooting to finish the job. The 2010 Saskatchewan Huskies had two once-a-decade quicksilver points, \u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Showron Glover \u003C\/b\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003EMichael Linklater\u003C\/b\u003E, getting run-outs, feeding wing shooters and getting to the cup. Carleton hit 2-of-17 triples in that 86-82 loss, then Phil Scrubb arrived months later.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is an instance where predictions on the championship game and the Carleton coaching deal are designed to reveal the sucker at the table, to paraphrase Rounders.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is also not as if people who know the university game expected much different from Carleton. The Scrubbs were transcendent by their fifth season, and Carleton could pass any immunity challenge defensively or offensively through Tommy and Phil. However, they are always going to be there, with the advantages they have granted themselves in order to be a tough-out tournament team, with premium CIS-level talent.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe burn is on those who attributed that odds-defying run of titles to some Svengali effect, some keys held only by one Smart. Which is silly, since Carleton has a cadre of strong basketball minds. It's a communal culture, not a party of one staked on the iconography of The Leader. The latter group dynamic is destined to fail eventually; just look at the party now holding Official Opposition status in the nation's capital.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe only reason it seemed that way with Carleton was because the media culture around Canadian university sport is very surface level. Even after all these years, some people still need a clarification that Rob Smart is Dave's nephew, for pity's sake.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBasketball, as a game, is probably the sport that most facilitates an \"okay, slide one spot over everyone\" if a new lead voice has to take over. A team has a relatively small travelling party about 22 people once you tally the coaches, players and athletic support staff. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThree of the four OUA Final Four teams did so with an interim coach whilst the program-builder took his sabbatical. A couple broader examples from before b-ball south of the border was bowdlerized ... North Carolina went to the 1998 Final Four with \u003Cb\u003EBill Guthridge\u003C\/b\u003E the season after Dean Smith retired. Larry Bird's '79 Indiana State team did so under \u003Cb\u003EBill Hodges\u003C\/b\u003E, who stepped in when \u003Cb\u003EBob King \u003C\/b\u003Ehad a brain aneurysm.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou know what happened to Bill Hodges, eventually? \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/espn.go.com\/mens-college-basketball\/story\/_\/id\/7038392\/larry-bird-college-coach-bill-hodges-teaching-all-years-college-basketball\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHe became a school teacher\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat segues to the Smarts, and that they are about teaching. Just go in when asked, wherever needed, and help people help themselves with getting a little better every day. Rob Smart, going back 20 years this month to when he was 17 going on 35, and scored 35 on 18 shots to almost will his undermanned high school team past No. 1 seed in a first round at the OFSAA AA championship before they lost by a point, seems to exude that. Dave Smart was at that same school, that season, and people never believe this when they're told, but he coached his nephews on the junior team and also coached the junior boys. Hindsight is 20\/20, but that was the best situation, where he was needed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThree seasons later, Dave was head coach at Carleton. \u0026nbsp;Perhaps Carleton just needed a little adjustment this season. They have pulled it off with aplomb. Dave Smart has only been at one game at Ravens' Nest all season, Senior Night, when Rob spoke about each player and Dave handled the presentations.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat continuity helps Carleton keep that energy\u0026nbsp;coursing down that bench in one direct line, while other teams get a short in the system. They should have good energy by 5:30 local time on Sunday, know that much.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7207417983220020077\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/cisfinal8-one-off-carleton-ravens-title.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7207417983220020077"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7207417983220020077"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/cisfinal8-one-off-carleton-ravens-title.html","title":"#CISFinal8: A one-off Carleton Ravens title would be very Smart"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7756102991440126319"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-20T11:56:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-21T08:34:50.181-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#2016Final8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bobcats"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Panthers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ryerson Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sea-Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Reds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Wesmen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Championship weekend: All 4 hockey, hoops finals lack the No. 1 seed, 7 regions repped!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"VANCOUVER — Leave it to the football commentator to have the correct spot!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EFour CIS championship games tomorrow, not a single #1 seed. Love it!\u003C\/div\u003E— Gord R. (@GARandall) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GARandall\/status\/711438052330045441\"\u003EMarch 20, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003EIt might be the most uniquely Canada In The 21st Century set of finals. Eight teams, seven provinces, each official languages, and the X factors in making this happen where a Calgary baller named \u003Cb\u003EJasdeep Gill \u003C\/b\u003Eand a UBC puck-chaser with the handle off \u003Cb\u003EHaneet Parhar\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EChanneling 2016 \u003Cb\u003EGord Miller\u003C\/b\u003E, if he was doing the work of 1994 Gord Miller: \u003Ci\u003Edoes it get any more Canadian than this?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EPushing past the creeping Carleton net-cutting to come in the last final of the day, Championship Sunday offers a rarity. When the women's hockey Gryphons and men's basketball Rams fell on Saturday night, none of the four national finals will include a No. 1 seed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETalk about a talking point that shows the depth of good teams in the country. That's the positive light to put it in. It should be leavened by pointing out that this is an off-shoot, as well, of having a very empirical, linear criteria to decide the tournament seeding. Even that is a good thing, since it should be a prompt for the observers to really focus on the matchups.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, here is what we have today:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWomen's basketball: (4) Ryerson vs. (2) Saskatchewan, in progress, SN360\u003C\/b\u003E — Central Canada finesse against Prairie functional strength. \u003Cb\u003ECarly Clarke \u003C\/b\u003Eagainst\u003Cb\u003E Lisa Thomaidis \u003C\/b\u003Ein the coaching matchup; always great when the women's basketball final involves a pair of head coaches who are women.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWomen's hockey: (4) UBC vs. (2) Montréal, 2:30 ET, SN360 \u003C\/b\u003E— The West Coast first-timers, by the margin of the \u003Cb\u003EHaneet Parhar\u003C\/b\u003E decider in the eighth round of the shootout, ousted No. 1 Guelph. Their reward is a matchup against Les Bleus, who have been in this situation previously.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMen's hockey: (5) UNB vs. (3) St. Francis Xavier, 5:30 ET, SN360\/TVA2\u003C\/b\u003E — An all-Maritimes matchup that reprises the AUS \u0026nbsp;final where the chaser, \u003Cb\u003EBrad Peddle\u003C\/b\u003E's X-Men sweep \u003Cb\u003EGardiner MacDougall\u003C\/b\u003E's Varsity Reds to get the higher seeding. It arguably worked out that the V-Reds sliding to 5 helped, since they played the second-best OUA team, then Saint Mary's took care of Trois-Rivières.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMen's basketball: (4) Calgary vs. (2) Carleton, 8:30 ET, SN360 — \u003C\/b\u003EDinos reserve \u003Cb\u003EJasdeep Gill \u003C\/b\u003Epouring in 24 points off the bench in the semifinal was a microcosm of U of C coach \u003Cb\u003EDan Vanhooren \u003C\/b\u003Ebeing willing to fly by the seat of his pants with a hot hand. Carleton is Carleton; the dynasty doesn't die, it just regenerates with new cogs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003EThat is wild. Should go create a spreadsheet to see if there was ever that much diversity, in terms of where the teams hail from, in the finals. Ontario, of course, is the only province with more than one school going for gold, but Carleton is in Eastern Ontario and Ryerson is Southern Ontario, which are two very different corners of the country. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMen's basketball had the B.C. Interior involved with that splash of Thompson Rivers orange, too. This is a good reminder there is a lot of good out there, even when CIS sometimes seems like a logistical impossibility: trying to create a fabric out of 56 schools spread about 6,000 km apart, and on budget.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBased on this, the law of averages would dictate some CIS gold and silver is lurking for Brandon, Manitoba, Memorial, UPEI or Winnipeg. \u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7756102991440126319\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/championship-weekend-all-4-hockey-hoops.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7756102991440126319"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7756102991440126319"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/championship-weekend-all-4-hockey-hoops.html","title":"Championship weekend: All 4 hockey, hoops finals lack the No. 1 seed, 7 regions repped!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-3910776299026656783"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-19T21:49:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-21T08:34:50.150-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#2016Final8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS Final 8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"liveblog"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Regina Rams"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#CISFinal8: Calgary 98, Ryerson 87 (FINAL); Dinos get Ravens"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cb\u003EVANCOUVER — \u003C\/b\u003EThe real-timey 'recap' of Calgary's 98-87 win against Ryerson, which means it is Dinos-Ravens for all the whiskey on Sunday night. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is a matchup that, in a real sports country, would make great televised theatre. Thomas Cooper is the country's best one-on-one player with all due respect to UNB's Javon Masters. Carleton, Mark Masters' alma mater, is going for six in a row, and is the most All For One team that ever teamed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECalgary, led by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/calgaryherald.com\/sports\/basketball\/on-campus-well-travelled-u-s-hoops-star-settles-in-with-dinos\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esuperstar\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Cooper's\u0026nbsp;and\u003Cb\u003E Jasdeep Gill\u003C\/b\u003E's work on the wing, had an answer every time Ryerson tried to close the gap. It never got closer than a two-possession game, five points, in the fourth quarter. A Gill corner triple with about 5:50 left finished off Ryerson.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERyerson will try to salvage a second CIS bronze in a row against Dalhousie on Sunday. That will make a nice undercard,\u003Cb\u003E Ammanuel Diressa \u003C\/b\u003Eagainst \u003Cb\u003ERitchie Kanza Mata\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESecond half notes:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThomas Cooper\u003C\/b\u003E is feeling it, now into the 20s after a long contested triple. Best scorer in the country.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBest just took his third foul, 5:38 left, third quarter.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOttawa is finished, but \u003Cb\u003EJasdeep Gill\u003C\/b\u003E's consecutive triples from the wing have opened an 11-point lead. That has Calgary back on the right track. Do you get it? Do you get it? Because Ottawa has \u003Cb\u003EVikas Gill\u003C\/b\u003E, and because a Gee-Gee is a horse, and horses run on tracks. Do you get it?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAnother Gill triple has helped keep the lead at ten.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EManny Diressa has 16 for Ryerson, but needs to keep the other four Rams engaged.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERight on cue, Kadeem Green leans in, drops in a bucket and the Rams are down five, as close as they have come this half.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt doesn't last; Calgary scores and then the Rams put one into what would be a student section, if it was filled by students.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDiressa takes his fourth with 7:19 left, has to stay in. Cooper got his 25th point on the ensuing makes from the foul line.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKapinga, Calgary's steal-happy point guard, has three with 6:12 left. Ryerson within five.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EJasdeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep \u003C\/i\u003EGill pockets a triple for the eight-point lead, now down to 5:15.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECooper gets his 27th, then Gill alters a Roshane Roberts drive and Calgary clears. The Rams are down 10 at the four-minute mark, but with the way they play ...\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGoaltending call ends a two-minute, 22-minute stretch without a whistle.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGill again, only this time he puts\u003Cb\u003E Filip Vujadinovic \u003C\/b\u003Eon his hip, drops the shoulder, old-fashioned triple for a 13-point lead with 3:10 left.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMatt Letkeman, who used his fouls well, gets No. 5 with 2:46 left and Calgary up 11.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThat opens up space for Green to score with 94 seconds left, so Ryerson can press and foul.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENot this time: Mukama misses a three from about the same spot as his icewater equalizer on Thursday. Down to 50.7 seconds when \u003Cb\u003EMitch Ligertwood \u003C\/b\u003Efouls out.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFirst half\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EImpact for\/on the Dinos — \u003C\/b\u003EThe 2-of-9 mark at the line is a red flag, especially with Thomas Cooper having 18 across 18 minuts while point guard \u003Cb\u003EDavid Kapinga \u003C\/b\u003Ehas 12 in 16. Calgary has been credited with assists on 26.3% of baskets, compared to Ryerson's 46.2%, which even accounting for a window 5% up or down in each direction, for either team, means Ryerson is running more of offence. It's just that Calgary is hitting, while defensively have mostly ensured the Rams are one-and-done.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EImpact for\/on the Rams — \u003C\/b\u003EA 37.1 per cent effective shooting half was pretty much what was feared after that great game against UBC. Ryerson has been down by 12-plus in their last three games; these are good teams, but still. The upside is they got all eight rotation players shots, and ex-D1 guard \u003Cb\u003EAmmanuel Diressa \u003C\/b\u003Etook it upon himself late in the half to make two triples (one contemporary, one classic and-one) to get Ryerson back into single digits.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAaron Best\u003C\/b\u003E has been quiet for 65 minutes of game action: he was 2-of-6, no threes for five points. That is getting into the 'you must be playing hurt' territory, since it is below par.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERunning diary\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/3910776299026656783\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/cisfinal8calgary-47-ryerson-38-start-q3.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3910776299026656783"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3910776299026656783"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/cisfinal8calgary-47-ryerson-38-start-q3.html","title":"#CISFinal8: Calgary 98, Ryerson 87 (FINAL); Dinos get Ravens"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}}]}});