Huskie Outsider

The 2010 Canada West previews are presented by Pizza Hut.

University of Calgary Dinos

Head Coach: Blake Nill (5th Year)

2009 Record: 7-1, 316 points for, 172 points against (+144), second in Canada West. The Dinos won a narrow 39-38 Hardy Cup game over the Saskatchewan Huskies, won decisively over the St. Mary’s Huskies for the Uteck Bowl, and lost the Vanier Cup 33-31 to the Queen’s Golden Gaels.

Key Losses: LB Chase Moore, DE Deji Oduwole, DE Andrew Obrecht, DB Matt Grohn, SB Taylor Altilio, QB Deke Junior

Key Additions: LB Matt Pander, LB Chris Folk, LB Cory Roboch, DB Kevan Hafichuk, DL Ian Shaw, DL Gradyn Fast, QB Jake Altilio, OL Sukh Chungh, S Anthony DesLauriers

Returning Offensive Starters: QB Eric Glavic, RB Matt Walter, FB Jordan Valer, SB Anthony Parker, WR Matt Little, WR Nathan Coehoorn, LT Paul Swiston, LG Quinn McCaughan, C Alex Krausnick-Groh, RG Reed Alexander, RT Kirby Fabien

Calgary quarterback Eric Glavic (photo by Liam Richards)

Offensive Outlook: The offensive juggernaut that took the CIS by storm last season returns all starters except for former Huskie Taylor Altilio. Richard Snyder, who finished third on the team in receiving yards last season (and who scored two touchdowns in the Hardy Cup), will step in, allowing the offence to continue rolling.

This team will not have the luxury of an experienced backup quarterback with the graduation of Deke Junior, but should 2009 Hec Crighton winner Eric Glavic remain healthy, this offence will be hard to stop. They racked up the top rushing and passing statistics in the Canada West last season, finishing with an average of 581.4 per games, 177 yards per game better than the second place team. Unless conference defenses have found a way to stop the athletic Glavic, look for more of the same in 2010.

Returning Defensive Starters: DL Linden Gaydosh, DL Josh Symons, LB Geoff Paiment, LB Andrea Bonaventura, CB Steve Truzak, CB Chundi Nzekwu, HB Sam Hurl, S Brian Hagen

Calgary defensive back Steve Truzak (photo by Liam Richards)

Defensive Outlook: While everything is looking positive on the offensive side of the ball, defensively the Dinos are facing some big challenges. Notably, they will need replacements for linebacker Chase Moore (who led the team in tackles in both 2009 and 2007), defensive back Matt Grohn (who has finished in the top three on the team in tackles in each of the past three seasons), and defensive ends Deji Oduwole and Andrew Obrecht (who together contributed 84.5 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 2009).

The 2010 Dinos lead the Canada West in rushing defence, but they were dead last in pass defence, giving up an average of 275.9 yards per game. The loss of Grohn, arguably their best defensive back over the past three years, won’t help this, nor will the loss of their starting defensive ends, who were responsible for most of the Dinos pass rush, accounting for 47% of the team’s sacks. This is an area where the Dinos are vulnerable, although the addition of junior veteran Kevan Haffichuk of the Calgary Colts and safety Anthony DesLauriers, who is transferring from SFU, should help. UPDATE: The addition of linebacker Chris Folk, who was a Canada West all-star with Simon Faser last season, will be a significant addition to the Dinos’ defence.

Overall Outlook: Many feel the Dinos are a lock to win the Vanier Cup, and with their offence returning nearly intact, they are the likely favourites. Yet, with a year of exposure, things may not be as easy this season as they were last for Glavic and the Dinos offence. The challenges will be greater for the Dinos on defence, especially after dumping long-time defensive coordinator John Stevens early this year.

Even if they do face more adversity than they did last season, the Dinos are almost certain to finish first or second in Canada West. They have tremendous offensive firepower while the core of the team is moving into its fourth and fifth year of eligibility. That’s a good formula for success, and the Dinos should enjoy their share of it this year.

Filed under: Huskies