Manitoba Bisons football

Manitoba Bisons
Manitoba Bisons logo
First season1920
Athletic directorColeen Dufresne
Head coachBrian Dobie
28th year, 113–106–2  (.516)
Other staffStan Pierre (DC)
Vaughan Mitchell (OC)
Home stadiumIG Field
Year built2013
Stadium capacity33,234
Stadium surfaceTurf
LocationWinnipeg, Manitoba
LeagueU Sports
ConferenceCWUAA (1964 - present)
All-time record196–233–4 (.457)
Postseason record– 
Titles
Vanier Cups3, (1969, 1970, 2007)
Mitchell Bowls1, (2007)
Churchill Bowls3, (1969, 1970, 2001)
Hardy Cups11, (1923, 1924, 1927,
1966, 1968, 1969, 1970,
1973, 2001, 2007, 2014)
Hec Crighton winners0
Current uniform
ColoursBrown and Gold
   
OutfitterNike
RivalsSaskatchewan Huskies
Websitegobisons.ca

The Manitoba Bisons football team represents the University of Manitoba in the sport of Canadian football in U Sports. The program was the first of four U Sports football teams to have won back-to-back Vanier Cup championships, having won in 1969 and 1970. In total, the Bisons have won three Vanier Cup national championships and 11 Hardy Trophy conference championships. The Bisons are led by head coach, Brian Dobie, who has been the head coach since 1996.[1]

Notable history

In 2007, the Bisons' football team won the Vanier Cup as the national champions in Canadian Interuniversity football, the first for the school in 37 years. Pat Gill, the manager then, was the manager for 40 years and was with the team during the 1969 and 1970 Vanier Cup teams. A big factor in the 2007 Vanier Cup was the injury to running back Matt Henry, who suffered a broken femur in three places and severe muscle damage. However, in the end, kicker and punter Scott Dixon converted on all but one of his field goals and pinned the Saint Mary's Huskies deep several times. Dixon, in his rookie year, was tied for second all-time for most field goals in a game.[2]

Maya Turner became the first woman to play in any U Sports regular season football game, on September 23, 2023, as a Manitoba Bisons kicker. She kicked the game winning field goal in overtime for the Bisons in their game against the Regina Rams.[3]

Recent season results

Season Games Won Lost T/OTL PCT PF PA Standing Playoffs
2000 8 6 1 1 0.813 279 138 1st in CW Defeated UBC Thunderbirds in semi-final 14-4
Lost to Regina Rams in Hardy Cup 25-22
2001 8 7 1 0 0.875 302 91 1st in CW Defeated Calgary Dinos in semi-final 31-10
Defeated Regina Rams in Hardy Cup 23-17
Defeated McMaster Marauders in Churchill Bowl 27-6
Lost to Saint Mary's Huskies in 37th Vanier Cup 42-16
2002 8 8 0 0 1.000 271 119 1st in CW Lost to Saskatchewan Huskies in semi-final 37-18
2003 8 3 5 0 0.375 172 249 6th in CW Out of playoffs
2004 8 3 5 0 0.375 191 237 5th in CW Out of playoffs
2005 8 4 3 1 0.563 228 172 3rd in CW Lost to Alberta Golden Bears in semi-final 33-24
2006 8 8 0 0 1.000 363 143 1st in CW Defeated Regina Rams in semi-final 44-29
Lost to Saskatchewan Huskies in Hardy Cup 32-15
2007 8 8 0 - 1.000 206 110 1st in CW Defeated Calgary Dinos in semi-final 27-5
Defeated Regina Rams in Hardy Cup 48-5
Defeated Western Ontario Mustangs in Mitchell Bowl 52-20
Defeated Saint Mary's Huskies in 43rd Vanier Cup 28-14
2008 8 3 5 - 0.375 126 160 5th in CW Out of playoffs
2009[A] 7 2 5 - 0.286 164 203 6th in CW Out of playoffs
2010 8 2 6 - 0.250 160 295 5th in CW Out of playoffs
2011 8 3 5 - 0.375 214 218 5th in CW Out of playoffs
2012 8 4 4 - 0.500 282 306 4th in CW Lost to Calgary Dinos in semi-final 57-18
2013 8 5 3 - 0.625 335 274 2nd in CW Defeated Saskatchewan Huskies in semi-final 37-36
Lost to Calgary Dinos in Hardy Cup 43-28
2014 8 4 4 - 0.500 290 247 3rd in CW Defeated Saskatchewan Huskies in semi-final 47-39
Defeated Calgary Dinos in Hardy Cup 27-15
Lost to Montreal Carabins in Uteck Bowl 29-26
2015 8 5 3 - 0.625 284 253 3rd in CW Lost to UBC Thunderbirds in semi-final 52-10
2016 8 3 5 - 0.375 276 323 5th in CW Out of playoffs
2017 8 2 6 - 0.250 180 289 6th in CW Out of playoffs
2018 8 3 5 - 0.375 195 225 4th in CW Lost to Calgary Dinos in semi-final 37-13
2019 8 4 4 - 0.500 221 242 4th in CW Lost to Calgary Dinos in semi-final 47-46
2020 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 6 4 2 0.667 138 124 2nd in CW Defeated Alberta Golden Bears in semi-final 43-17
Lost to Saskatchewan Huskies in Hardy Cup 45-17
2022 8 4 4 0.500 232 217 4th in CW Lost to Saskatchewan Huskies in semi-final 37-9
2023 8 3 5 0.375 203 272 4th in CW Lost to UBC Thunderbirds in semi-final 29-21
2024 8 7 1 0.875 251 204 1st in CW Lost to Regina Rams in semi-final 28-25

^ A. Manitoba forfeited two wins for using an ineligible player. Simon Fraser also used an ineligible player in a Manitoba loss, so the game was declared "no contest".

Head coaches

Name Years Notes
Unknown 1920–1967
Henry Janzen 1968–1970
Unknown 1971–1995
Brian Dobie 1996–present

National award winners

[4]

Manitoba Bisons in professional football

As of the end of the 2024 CFL season, four former Bisons players are on CFL teams' rosters:

[5]

In the 2016 NFL draft, David Onyemata became the first Bison to be drafted into the National Football League, being selected in the 4th round, 120th overall by the New Orleans Saints. As of the start of the 2023 NFL season, he is on the active roster of the Atlanta Falcons.[6]

References

  1. ^ Brian Dobie Bisons profile
  2. ^ Manitoba Bisons win the Vanier Cup
  3. ^ "Maya Turner kicks OT winner after becoming 1st woman to play regular-season U Sports football game". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  4. ^ "Sport awards". U Sports. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "Players". Canadian Football League. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "David Onyemata". National Football League. Retrieved November 9, 2023.