WINNIPEG – The Calgary Dinos scored a pair of second half touchdowns to beat the Manitoba Bisons 23-14 on Thursday at Investors Group Field.
“I thought it was pretty sloppy,” said Bisons linebacker DJ Lalama. “We did not put our best foot forward. We left a lot on the field. In a close game, that’s all that it takes.”
Quarterback Jimmy Underdahl put the Dinos in front by four points with a one yard touchdown plunge late in the third quarter. He later connected with Austen Hartley in the final frame for a seven yard major to make it 22-11.
Jesse Walker scored the Bisons’ only touchdown of the night. The second year receiver hauled in a six yard pass from Theo Deezar in the third quarter to give Manitoba a 11-5 lead. The major came just a few plays after linebacker Donovan Gregoire recovered a Calgary fumble off the second half kickoff.
Deezar struggled in the game, throwing three interceptions. Deezar fumbled a second down snap inside the redzone in the first half. He also couldn’t lead Manitoba’s offence to a touchdown after marching the Herd to inside the Dinos’ ten yard line. Manitoba’s coaches considered replacing Deezar but decided to keep their starting quarterback in the game.
“Not good, not good,” said Bisons head coach Brian Dobie when asked about Deezar’s game. “That was big ouch. There were things that weren’t technically good. I’m sure that was his worst moment as a starter with the Bisons. He needs to work through those things.”
The missed opportunities also stretched to Manitoba’s special teams as kicker Ryan Jones missed a 25-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter.
Penalties also proved to be a problem for the Bisons as they committed 18 infractions for 193 yards.
“We have a lot of fixing to do,” said Dobie. “I know what kind of kids we have in the dressing room. They’ll do the work.”
Calgary outscored Manitoba in the first half 5-4.
Deezar completed 23 of 39 passes for 278 yards. Underdahl went 21 for 34 for 242 yards and a touchdown.
The Bisons entered the game as the fifth ranked team in the country. Calgary sat two spots below the Bisons at seventh.
The attendance at Thursday’s game was 2286.
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