Tight-knit Bisons have winning culture, says Dobie

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This article was published 31/08/2023 (827 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brian Dobie’s yearly checklist for his university football program begins with ‘experience’ and ‘culture.’ Just below is ‘quarterback,’ followed by dozens of other items ahead of each season.

This summer, Dobie has slept well knowing those boxes are checked for the Manitoba Bisons in 2023.

The Bisons are seasoned and tight-knit, and, despite the start of a new era at the most important position on the field, have no doubt about the chaos they can create in the Canada West conference this season.

The Bisons begin their eight-game schedule as the No. 10-ranked team in the country, but will need a clean start out of the blocks as the No.3 Saskatchewan Huskies pay a visit to IG Field on Friday night. Game time is 7 p.m.

“In this moment, this is a team that has a tremendous culture,” said Dobie, whose 123 coaching wins are just five short of the top 10 in U Sports history. “I know I keep using that word but without that you’re kind of dead in the water.

“They have a tremendous culture, they care, they put in the work, they’ve done the right things. So, if that’s who they are, then it at least allows them the opportunity to be the best that they can be.”

Not only is the clash with the Huskies a litmus test for the optimistic group seeking a fifth-straight playoff berth, it also present a chance to avenge a Bisons loss in last year’s conference semifinal. The Bisons made the 2022 playoffs with a 4-4 record but were quickly dispatched after a lopsided loss to the Huskies, who went on to be finalists in the Vanier Cup national championship.

The Bisons might just be poised for a promising season of their own.

The team returns 19 starters from a year ago, including All-Canadian receiver AK Gassama, who led the conference with 749 yards last season. Collin Kornelson, who was chosen in the fifth round of the 2022 CFL Draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, headlines a strong defensive line group while former All-Canadian linebacker Nick Thomas returns to his usual post as the heart of a defensive unit.

All eyes will be on the quarterback but this time it’s for a different reason, as third-year QB Jackson Tachinski begins his first full season as a starter.

The last seven seasons it’s been Des Catellier at the helm, and the thought of a young player filling the shoes of one of the most prolific quarterbacks in program history would usually be cause for concern. That isn’t the case around these parts.

Tachinski, a dual threat, already has a season of experience under his belt from 2021 — his freshman year — when he led the Bisons to the Hardy Cup final after Catellier tore an ACL in the season-opener.

“Jackson brings — as the most important position on the team — he brings that culture and those intrinsics right onto the field every rep. His experience in the system, obviously, is really important, but I think what’s most important is the intrinsics. He exudes confidence, he exudes enthusiasm, and he’s sincere, he’s genuine — he feels it. He doesn’t fear failure,” Dobie said.

“I don’t know what’s missing with him, honestly. He’s 6-4, 225 (pounds), he’s got a gun for an arm, he can run, he’s very intelligent — he’s got a very good football IQ — and he’s driven and motivated.”

Tachinski’s experience, like his fellow returning starters, allowed the program to hit the ground running in training camp. The team is “much further ahead” with offensive and defensive installations than most years, according to Dobie, adding he believes that should give the Bisons an advantage over the younger teams in the early parts of the schedule.

“You also get that old adage, ‘You can’t buy experience.’ Whether it be preparing for practice in film and meetings, whether it be practices themselves and then on to the games, they’ve been there, done it and that’s what we got,” Dobie said.

“I feel respect for this team. I feel enthusiastic and excited for this team, but I feel respect for them. It’s a great locker room and it’s a great practice field and the results of games are going to be what they’re going to be… but this kind of group gives you a chance every time out.”

jfreysam@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jfreysa