U of M brings out the Bison in punter – Winnipeg Free Press

Ben George felt as if the stars had aligned when Manitoba became the place where he would continue his university football career.

George, who spent four years as a defensive back, punter and kicker for the Acadia Axemen in Wolfville, N.S., stepped away from the gridiron last year to finish up his sociology degree but knew he wanted to play out his final year of eligibility in hopes of making a late impression on a pro team looking for a big leg.

He decided Nova Scotia was not the place to do that.

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
U of M punter Ben George says if ‘feels really cool’ to be a member of the Bisons. — JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS

U of M punter Ben George says if ‘feels really cool’ to be a member of the Bisons.

Meanwhile, the Bisons endured a lot of disappointment in the special teams department last season with some players underperforming and others quitting on the team halfway through the year. With his kicking unit in flux, head coach Brian Dobie was motivated to find some stability.

So when George reached out, both sides agreed it was a perfect fit.

George realized quickly Manitoba is where he belongs.

“It’s not often that you hear…’We need somebody to come in and start right away,’ so I thought it was a really good opportunity to come in and take the job,” said the Moncton, N.B., product.

“But, to be able to come this far out west from New Brunswick, it definitely had a little bit to do with my mother, as well.”

George’s mom, Jennifer, was a standout on the hardwood who transferred to the U of M from the University of New Brunswick in 1985 and led the Bisons to a Canadian Inter-University Athletic Union (CIAU) national championship in 1988.

Jennifer, who was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, was named MVP of the Great Plains Athletic Conference and was a first-team All-Canadian during that championship run.

“I grew up hearing her stories about her time out here and now to finally be out here — I’ve kind of always felt like there was a little Bison in me because of her,” George said.

“Now, to actually be a part of the team myself, it feels really cool.”

George is not your average punter. At 5-11, 195 pounds, he has the athleticism to cover a wide receiver and an unassuming boot that can pin opposing offences deep in their own territory.

He was recruited by Acadia to play defensive back, but told to continue honing his skills as a punter and kicker. By his second season, George was the full-time boundary cornerback and handled all kicking duties.

While holding his own as a defensive back, he excelled at punting. In 2022, his last season with the Axemen, George was named the all-star punter in Atlantic University Sport after posting a conference-best 41.8-yard average. His longest boot that year went 71 yards.

“He came in for spring camp and everybody was excited about him, but it’s been even better through training camp and into the Regina exhibition game. I mean, he’s really good,” said Dobie, who had the chance to sign George as he was coming out of high school but never put forth an offer — something he said he regrets today.

While George is still confident he can play in the secondary in case of emergency, he’s looking forward to focusing on two positions instead of three this season. The transfer will handle all punting and longer field goal attempts for the Bisons while 2023 sensation Maya Turner handles kicks inside of 45 yards.

Dobie’s certainty in his special teams is night and day compared to a season ago.

“Great attitudes and really good performances,” Dobie said of George and Turner. “The display of really high-end technique and skill work — all of those things, they add up to confidence. When you see people that are consistently hitting field goals or consistently hitting 45- to 55-yard punts, it brings a confidence to everybody.”

George said there isn’t much to transfer to kicking from his days as a defensive back, although, it did help him build a solid work ethic in the weight room.