A new era of Calgary Dinos football kicks off Friday as the Regina Rams visit McMahon Stadium.
The Canada West season opener (5:30 p.m.) is also the annual KICKOFF event for the University of Calgary, with a host of festivities across campus all weekend.
Head coach Ryan Sheahan enters his first game as leader of the Dinos. The former Calgary assistant coach and offensive coordinator has a strong mix of returning veterans and newcomers.
Last year, the Scarlet & Gold were one of the strongest teams in the country down the stretch, but just missed out on a playoff berth with a 3-5 record.
This year marks the 60th season of Dinos football. The program is 33-26 all-time in season openers, including an 11-5 mark since the start of the KICKOFF event in 2006.
The Rams have proven to be a thorn in the Dinos’ side in recent years. After going 22-2 against Regina from 2008-19, the Rams have won the last four in the head-to-head series, including a 23-15 affair in Saskatchewan last season.
Men’s Soccer
After a successful opening weekend that saw the Dinos earn four points (one win, one draw), Calgary is back on campus this Saturday for the annual cross-town showdown with rival Mount Royal. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. from Dinosaur Field.
First-year head coach Ramon Mifflin saw his team get off to a strong start to the 2024 campaign, turning in a convincing 3-0 win over Saskatchewan in the season opener on Saturday before slugging out a 0-0 draw with Lethbridge on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Hany Shafie was a bright spot with a pair of shutouts in his first two games for the Scarlet & Gold, while Joey Plenzik, Gianmarco Plenzik and Owen Antoniuk scored.
The annual derby game for the Dinos has always proven to have plenty of emotion. This year, Mifflin and assistants Chris McKaig and Moe El Gandour now lead the Dinos squad after spending the past number of years at MRU.
The Cougars are also on four points. Ryan Gyaki’s squad played out a 0-0 draw with Lethbridge in the season opener at Mount Royal Stadium Field on Saturday before defeating Saskatchewan 2-1 on Sunday. Finn Marshall and Dawid Dudek scored for MRU. Bryce Benton earned the shutout for the Cougars in the opener, and Sjard Strauss was in home net for Sunday’s win.
Women’s Rugby
Friday also marks the start of the 2024 season for the Dinos’ rugby program. Calgary will head north to take on Alberta for a 6 p.m. battle from Foote Field.
It was a rare rough year for the Dinos a season ago. In the fall, the young squad went 0-6 — their first sub .500 season since 2010. The youth started to find their footing at the university level in the spring, though, bringing home a team bronze medal following the Canada West sevens season.
Head coach Simon Chi enters his 15th season leading the Dinos. The four-time Canada West Coach of the Year has added 14 newcomers to this year’s roster as the Dinos will once again feature one of the younger teams in the country.