CIS Roundup: Underdahl, Dinos open 2016 season with 23-14 win over Bisons

WINNIPEG – Jimmy Underdahl threw for 242 yards and a touchdown, and had some help from his defence, as the University of Calgary Dinos opened their 2016 CIS season with a 23-14 win over the University of Manitoba Bisons.

The defence was able to hold the Bisons to just a single touchdown, giving Underdahl and the offence a chance to pull ahead in the final 16 minutes of the contest.

Late in the third quarter, Underdahl completed a seven-play, 50-yard drive with a one-yard plunge into the end zone to give Calgary the lead for good at 15-11. Less than five minutes later they pulled ahead further when Underdahl found Austen Hartley for a seven-yard TD pass to seal it away.

“I didn’t play the best tonight, but that’s a team win,” fifth-year senior Underdahl said. “The defence played awesome today, but the offence needs to pick it up next week.”

Boston Rowe made his presence felt for Calgary, picking up a team-high 11 tackles, while Robert Woodson and Nathan Mitchell joined Nick Statz in picking off Manitoba quarterback Theo Deezar a total of three times.

“It’s a team game, and you need everyone playing hard,” said Dinos coach Wayne Harris. “When the (offence) is not producing, you need to have a good defence to keep things close so you have a chance.”