Friday Sept. 16 was the night of the Dino. Not that fancy, uptight dinner the university puts on every year, but a night that really showed Dino pride. Dan Birdwell, a defensive lineman for the Oakland Raiders in the 1960s, once said “you have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four.”
Well, that’s exactly how the Dinos football team played Friday night. They were full of intense, raw aggression. After injuring almost an eighth of the Simon Fraser University Clansmen starters–including their starting and second quarterbacks, Jason Marshall and Brent Cowden, at the beginning of second quarter–the team seemed to gain a little of their original confidence back.
Only six minutes into the first quarter, Dinos quarterback Charles Guedo marched Calgary’s offense 53 yards in eight plays–more than they’ve been able to accomplish so far most games–and then ran four yards into the end-zone to put Calgary on the scoreboard.
The second quarter was just as eventful as the first. D.J. Wickham annihilated Marshall, who did not return to the game due to a suspected concussion. Wickham finished the game with a total of six solo tackles–second behind his teammate Josh Campbell, who had eight and was named defensive player of the game. Wickham is second place in Canada West with 24 solo tackles.
Soon after Wickham’s extremely destructive hit, defensive back Rich Fowlstone knocked down an impressive possible touchdown pass to SFU receiver Russel McKinlay. By the end of the first half, the Dinos led the game 16-7.
The third quarter culminated with slot back Andrew Lunse catching a 65-yard touchdown pass. Shortly after Lunse caught that exceptionally difficult pass, Fowlstone wowed the crowd again with a timely interception at the Dinos’ seven-yard line.
Following this much needed interception, the Calgary offense showed fans how capable they are, with an eight-play 99-yard drive. Guedo, again, pranced the final 29 yards into the end zone. The final score: Dinos 30, Clan 10.
The Dinos (1-2) will travel to barren Saskatchewan Sat., Sept. 24 to take on the University of Regina Rams (1-2). Kickoff is at 3 p.m.
Between the uprights
The players of the night were, by far and away, running back Stephen Hughes and defensive lineman Dan Federkeil. Both players were not only awarded Player of the Game honours, but were also quasi-nationally recognised as CW Athletes of the Week.
Federkeil was nominated as a Second-Team Canadian Interuniversity Sport All-Canadian in 2003 and CW All-Star defensive player in 2004 recording 26 solo tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles. Against SFU, this imposing and dominating player totaled five solo tackles, three quarterback sacks and knocked down a crucial red-zone pass.
Federkeil helped the Dinos’ defense hold the Clan to 311 offensive yards, 118 of them rushing yards. He now stands in second place overall in the CW sack category.
Hughes carried the offense on his shoulders Friday night. He rushed for 185 yards with 25 carries and contributed a total of 12 points.
Hughes is, by far, the most flexible and multi-talented player on the Dinos team. He competes as a running back, punter, kicker, inside receiver and returner. During the last game, he successfully kicked three field goals from as far out as 34 yards, averaged 38.7 punting yards over six punts and returned five punts for a total of 56 yards.
“When I got the ball, for some reason I kept finding holes,” Hughes said of his amazing game on Friday. “It’s not so much to do with me, but the offensive line. They were working their tails off and made me look good. Without them and the other receivers making the needed blocks I wouldn’t have been able to get through the line.”
“We, as a team, really needed this win. It’s always nice to win, but to win in front of our home crowd… it makes the win that much sweeter. I’m just glad I had the opportunity to play in such a big game.”
Hughes is ranked as one of the top punters in CW and averages 35 yards per punt. His longest punt was measured at 87 yards–the fourth longest in school history.