EDMONTON - In their third-ever playoff meeting, and their first since 2005, the U SPORTS No. 7 ranked Manitoba Bisons host the Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday in a Hardy Cup Semifinal.

One team will end their end their Hardy Cup appearance drought, with the Bisons winning the 2014 Hardy Cup in their most recent appearance, while Alberta looks for their first playoff win and championship game since 2010.

GAME INFORMATION

Golden Bears Football (3-3 Conference, 3-4 Overall)
Playoffs - Hardy Cup Semifinal
Saturday, November 13
#3 Alberta @ #2 Manitoba Bisons (4-2), Investors Group Field, 3:00 p.m. MT

HEADLINES

• The Bears and Bisons each own one win in their playoff history, with the Bisons earning a 10-7 win on November 9, 1986, with the Bears getting a 33-24 home win over Manitoba at Foote Field in 2005. 
• The Bisons earned a 31-17 win at Foote Field in their lone game against Alberta this season. Receiver Gavin Cobb scored a trio of touchdowns, including a 91-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter. 
• The Bisons have captured 11 Hardy Cups, including the 2007 and 2014 titles. Alberta is looking for a 17th Canada West title, and first since 1981.
• This will be the first game hosted by the Bisons in their head-to-head series against Alberta since 2018. The last three meetings have all been hosted at Foote Field. 
• The Golden Bears bring one of their best offences under Chris Morris to the 2021 post-season, averaging 29.0 points per game, the third-highest number in Canada West. The Bears are, however, giving up 31.0 points per game, the second most in Canada West. 
• The Bisons have been led by first-year QB Jackson Tachinski. The Manitoba pivot has throw for multiple touchdowns in three of his four starts this season, throwing only two interceptions. He also ran for 75 yards on 10 carries in their Week 2 win over Alberta. 
• Five Golden Bears were named CW All-Stars; Rodeem Brown (G), Josiah Schakel (LB), Tyshon Blackburn (DB), Jayden Dalke (S), and Jonathan Giustini (K). 
• The Bisons had six All-Stars in 2021, including Ryder Klisowsky (G), Nick Thomas (LB), Cole Adamson (DL), Marcel Arruda-Welch (DB), & Gavin Cobb (KR). 

PLAYER TO WATCH

Alberta - Josiah Schakel; The fourth-year linebacker led Canada West with 51.5 tackles this season, adding eight tackles for a loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles. 

Manitoba - Gavin Cobb; The electric receiver led the Bisons in all-purpose yards, recording 250 punt return yards, 241 receiving yards, and 14 rush yards, scoring five touchdowns in 2021.