CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos open the 2026 season Friday, hosting the UBC Thunderbirds at McMahon Stadium for KICKOFF XIX.[[“value”:”
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CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos open the 2026 season Friday, hosting the UBC Thunderbirds at McMahon Stadium for KICKOFF XIX.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with a tailgate beginning at 3:30 p.m. and kickoff at 5:30 p.m.
HEADLINES
Calgary holds a 57-39-2 edge in the all-time series, but UBC has won three straight meetings, including a 23-22 decision in Vancouver last September.
The rivalry looks different in a KICKOFF setting though – Calgary is unbeaten in four previous KICKOFF meetings with UBC (2011, 2015, 2016, 2018), outscoring the Thunderbirds 171-56 over that span.
The Dinos enter the regular season with one game already under their belt. A 39-24 preseason win over the University of Regina Rams at the Methanex Bowl in Medicine Hat on Aug. 23. UBC did not play a preseason game.
Friday’s game is the first of two games between the two programs this season; Calgary travels to UBC on Oct. 16 for the return matchup.
UBC was ranked third, with Calgary right behind them in fourth, in the Canada West preseason coaches’ poll.
University of Calgary Dinos (0-0)Next week: at Saskatchewan
Calgary finished 3-5 in Canada West play a season ago.
Ryan Sheahan, the seventh head coach in program history, enters his third season leading the Dinos.
Receiver Matt Sibley and linebacker Osasere Odemwingie, both selected in the 2026 CFL Draft, return to Calgary for a final season. Sibley caught 37 passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns last year, while Odemwingie finished with 40.5 tackles, a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Quarterback David Jordan, who took over as the starter after transferring from Florida A&M, passed for 1,812 yards and six touchdowns in his first season of Canadian football.
Next week: at University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Friday, Sept. 11.
UBC Thunderbirds (0-0)Next week: vs. Alberta
UBC reached the Canada West playoffs for a fifth consecutive season in 2025, punching its ticket with an overtime win at Regina before falling 26-7 to Saskatchewan in the semifinal.
Blake Nill, a former Dinos head coach, enters his 12th season leading the Thunderbirds.
Quarterback Drew Viotto returns for his second season after leading Canada West in passing yards in 2025; receiver Trey Montour, also back, posted a team-high six touchdowns and 704 total yards.
The defence returns 2024 Canada West Rookie of the Year Deacon Sterna along the line.
Next week: hosts University of Alberta Golden Bears, Friday, Sept. 11.
-UC-
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Players Mentioned
#14
David Jordan
QB
6′ 4″
4th
#9
Osasere Odemwingie
LB
6′ 3″
5th
#87
Matt Sibley
WR
5′ 10″
5th
Players Mentioned
#14
David Jordan
6′ 4″
4th
QB
#9
Osasere Odemwingie
6′ 3″
5th
LB
#87
Matt Sibley
5′ 10″
5th
WR
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Dinos roll to season-opening win at KICKOFF XIX
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