University of Manitoba Bison football coach gets early Christmas presents

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This article was published 09/08/2024 (742 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For Brian Dobie, it was a Christmas gift delivered in the August heat.

The University of Manitoba head coach got an unexpected bonus last week when he learned veteran defensive lineman Collin Kornelson was returning for his fifth and final year of eligibility.

That development, coupled with earlier news that all-Canadian wide receiver AK Gassama would also be back, meant the Bisons would have two CFL draft picks bolstering their lineup for 2024.

Kornelson, a fifth-round pick of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023, made a strong challenge to make the CFL club’s roster in spring before breaking a bone in his right foot in the final week of training camp.

“I definitely thought I was having a pretty good camp,” said Kornelson, who was released in the wake of an eight- to 10-week rehab after surgery. “Compared to the previous year, I really thought my game had improved and everything, and then obviously it was super unfortunate what happened. But that’s football sometimes.”

Gassama, Winnipeg’s sixth-round choice in 2024, was cut loose after training camp but he’ll be back on the field when the Herd opens training camp Saturday. With only receiver Brent Adams graduating, Gassama is one of 11 starters returning on offence.

“I knew as soon as I was done, I needed to be able to flip the script and kind of get ready for what’s ahead of me,” said the 24-year-old Vincent Massey product. “I think sometimes it’s challenging. Sometimes you turn the script too quick, because you don’t give yourself enough time to reflect back on the experience that you might have just had and really deal with that and look forward.

“But now I’m really happy. I was very certain with the decision that I made that I wanted to come back.”

The Bisons won’t lack for veteran presence in 2024. A talent-laden offence is matched by a defence that will also boast 11 returning starters. Only SAM linebacker Markos Bockru is missing from 2023.

“We’re definitely one of the oldest, most-experienced teams in the whole country,” said Kornelson. “Most of our team is made up of fourth- and fifth-year guys right now. So I’m looking forward to it.”

While the Bisons got a big lift from Kornelson’s return, they’ll have to wait before the 6-2, 285-pounder is completely fit. He’s been out of a walking boot since last month and expects to be ready for the Canada West regular-season opener on Aug. 31 against the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies.

Kornelson has dealt with more than his share of major injuries. He missed half the 2022 season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Gassama also dealt with an injury in 2023. He came down with a knee ailment in Week 4 and played through the pain but felt limited for the second half of the season.

The return of starting quarterback Jackson Tachinski, struck by shoulder and ankle issues last year, is essential.

“He’s slinging that thing and he looks very comfortable doing it,” said Gassama. “With our O-line coming together and with their cohesiveness, it’s gonna give him more time to be the athlete he is because we all know Jackson can run the football and we all know that he can make those passes.

“I think we’re gonna see more of a pocket presence from him this year because of that.”

The offensive line, keyed by all-Canadian guard Giordano Vaccaro and rookie sensation Sean Rowe at left tackle, has star power.

“They’ve just worked so hard this year,” said Gassama. “You see three times a week they’re training with coach Kelly Butler and coach ( ) Ready and they’re doing extra workouts themselves. They’re just always together and you could see the level rise, even in spring camp.”

To succeed in 2024, the Bisons will need to avoid the type of hole they dug themselves a year ago, beginning the regular season 0-3 and struggling to a 3-5 finish before dropping a 29-21 decision to the UBC Thunderbirds in the conference semifinals.

“When things go wrong, it’s hard to be able to keep composure,” said Gassama. “And so one of the biggest things that we talked about this year is rather than setting these outcome goals — OK, it’s Vanier (Cup), Vanier — it’s win the day. Win the rep, win the film session. Win that because that gives you something, no matter what happens.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca