CW Football: Week 2 Headlines

Sept. 6, 2024 - Canada West football fans are in for a Friday night treat.

Week 2 features all three matchups in primetime tonight.

Regina and Alberta are coming off victories last week and will host their home openers against provincial rivals.

Meanwhile, Manitoba heads to Vancouver looking to avenge last year's semifinal defeat to UBC. The T-Birds will be eager to bounce back after a rare season opening loss.

Here's everything you need to know heading into Week 2.

Saskatchewan Huskies at Regina Rams

Fri, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. CST at Mosaic Stadium

How to watch:

Quick Overview: The U-Prairie Challenge goes under the lights at Mosaic Stadium in what should be another classic Saskatchewan rivalry showdown. It's also a featured Canada West Football Showcase game, available to SaskTel and Telus subscribers.

The Rams will be debuting their clean new Under Armour uniforms and hope to build off an impressive 24-16 win over Calgary in Week 1. A strong performance from the Regina defence limited Calgary to just 30 rushing yards and a 40% completion percentage. QB Owen Sieben started the game strong, orchestrating a 7-play, 75-yard drive that he finished off with an 11-yard touchdown run. QB Noah Pelletier was also impressive when pressed into action, completing 14 of his 19 pass attempts for 125 yards and bringing home the victory.

For the visitors, a better start will be the focus after they dug themselves an early hole in last week's 37-24 defeat to Manitoba. The Huskie offence still had several bright spots, including veteran REC Daniel Wiebe setting new career-highs with 11 catches for 202 yards and a major.

Head-to-Head: Saskatchewan dominated both showdowns against their provincial rivals last season. The Huskies defeated the Rams 40-6 at home in Week 2, followed by a 43-11 drubbing in Week 9.

Saskatchewan Preview: Huskies Look to Defeat Rams in UPC Opener

Regina Preview: U-Prairie Challenge Preview: Saskatchewan at Rams

Calgary Dinos at Alberta Golden Bears

Fri, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. MDT at Foote Field

How to watch:

Quick Overview: There's nothing like the Battle of Alberta. The Dinos and Golden Bears are set to renew their rivalry on Friday night in Alberta's home opener at Foote Field.

The hosts will enter as the clear favourites, having moved up two spots to #5 in this week's U SPORTS national rankings. The Golden Bears offence was cooking in last week's 42-28 win over UBC, getting two TDs from QB Eli Hetlinger and 117 yards on the ground from RB Matthew Peterson.

The Dinos struggled to find their offensive rhythm against Regina in Week 1, rushing for just 30 yards and mustering 275 yards of total offence. They did show some big play potential, including a late 51-yd TD connection from QB Dom Britton to Luke Gutek in a comeback effort that fell short. Let's see if they can strike for enough big plays to keep pace with their provincial rivals.

Head-to-Head: It's been over a calendar year since these two provincial rivals met, as Alberta took a 33-9 win in Week 1 at McMahon Stadium in their lone meeting last season.

Calgary Preview: Battle of Alberta set for Friday night

Alberta Preview: Bears host Dinos in 2024 home opener

Manitoba Bisons at UBC Thunderbirds

Fri, Sept. 6 | 6 p.m. PDT at Thunderbird Stadium

How to watch:

Quick Overview: For a Bisons team looking to assert their contender status, an early season test against the defending Hardy Cup champions represents a prime opportunity.

The Bisons were impressive on both ends of the ball in a 37-24 victory over Saskatchewan in Week 1, earning the #9 spot in this week's U SPORTS national rankings. QB Jackson Tachinski did it with both his arm and his legs, throwing for 156 yards and 2 TD while also rushing for 62 yards. RB Braydon Stubbs was named Canada West Offensive Player of the Week after scoring 2 TDs and running for a game high 109 yards.

UBC will look to bounce back after their first season opening defeat in three years. The offence was clicking with nearly 450 yards against Alberta, but some defensive breakdowns led to the tough loss. With another large crowd expected, look for QB Garrett Rooker to build on a strong Week 1 performance where he threw for 375 yards and 2 TD.

Head-to-Head: The teams met once in the regular season last season, with UBC trouncing the Bisons 56-10 in Week 3. It was a much closer contest when the teams met in the Hardy Cup semifinals, with the Thunderbirds needing a fourth quarter comeback to squeak by with a 29-21 win.

UBC Preview: Key win up for grabs as ‘Birds host Bisons

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