'I can understand defences a lot more'
Last Saturday at Murray Field, the Manitoba Bisons and Calgary Dinos put on a show, going to double OT in a thrilling 38-36 Bisons win. Seven different receivers caught a pass in the victory, while pivot Cole Anseeuw threw for a career-high four touchdowns. That total tied for the third most in a game in school history.
Through three games, Anseeuw’s seven touchdown passes are third in Canada West for the 2-1 Bisons, while his 617 yards are already a career high. It’s a fitting progression for the 6’4” pivot of out St. Paul’s, who took full control of the offence this season following the graduation of Jacksn Tachinski.
In 2025, he saw game action a handful of times, and showed flashes of brilliance. In 2026, the game has slowed down for the former hockey standout, who didn’t begin his football journey in full until grade 11.
“Going into university, it was understanding and learning a whole new play book that was a lot more in depth and more confusing than a high school playbook,” said Anseeuw.
“As I’ve developed in three years now, I can understand defences a lot more, and understand what their defensive tendencies are and take what we’re running in a system and how we can exploit defensive coverages and succeed.”
Two years of pro experience has certainly aided the Winnipeg product. In 2025 and 2026, Anseeuw took part in the CFL’s Quarterback Internship Program with the Blue Bombers. This past year, his football IQ skyrocketed as he immersed himself in the bigger picture of the game.
“Last year [the internship] was definitely something new, lots getting thrown at you and you’re just trying to take it all in and try to learn as much as you can. This year I was able to settle in a little bit faster,” he said.
“A lot of it was learning the systems being thrown at me on defence, and understanding what all 12 players are doing on the field, which really carried into U SPORTS, slowing everything down.”
The theme for Manitoba’s offence in 2026 has been versatility.
In Blair Atkinson’s second season as offensive coordinator, eight different recievers have caught a pass, led by redshirt freshman Mikun Odunuga’s 231 and CFL Draft pick Nathan Udoh’s 197, and three majors. Against Calgary, the Herd exploited matchups within the Dino’s defence, utilizing their team speed and depth throughout.
”Guys fill in all types of roles and have different positions in the offence. Obviously Udoh is basically un-guardable in any one on one situation with his size, frame and catching ability, it’s elite. Mikun has insane route running. He always finds a way to get open on the field and has really developed with his hands. You throw it to a spot and he makes the play,” reflected Anseeuw.
“Our W receiver, Rylan [Klenk], he’s always in the box fighting for positioning against the defensive ends and he understands zones and sits well in those coverages. He’s another big body where if you put it on him he’ll make the play. [Brendt Adams] same thing, he has great route running and is super fast and has strong hands. Zach [Wynne], he understands the offensive schemes and where to get open. Our receiver core is just extremely deep. We have a bunch of guys who are rotating in constantly making plays.”
When push came to shove in 2 OT, Atkinson and Anseeuw’s brains for the game showed out. Looking for a first down on second and six from the 31-yard line, the mature pivot found Odunuga on a route concept that the offensive coordinator and quarterback had seen earlier on.
“When you get in a position like that, it’s just executing one play at a time. We saw a look that we had before in the game that we didn’t go to, I went to the strong side of the field, but we had a pretty good look on the boundary with Mikun on the corner route. BA called that play right off the bat. I saw the coverage as I was walking up, and I liked what I saw. I knew I was going to throw the ball to Mikun and that he was going to make a play.”
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