Saturday, November 14 – McMahon Stadium
Kickoff at 11 am PT
Game can be seen on Global TV
Photo Credit: Richard Lam/ UBC Athletics
A year ago, the UBC Thunderbirds were a program seemingly in disarray. Fast forward to this year and they are in the Canada West championship game as they hit the road this Saturday to compete in the 79th Hardy Cup against Coach Blake Nill’s former team, the Calgary Dinos.
The Thunderbirds are coming off a 52-10 win over last year’s Hardy Cup champion, the Manitoba Bisons. In last week’s game, pivot Michael O’Connor finished with 19-of-34 passes completed for 231 yards and three touchdown passes, two of which were caught by Trivel Pinto who finished with six pass receptions for 88 yards on the day. On the ground, the team was led by Brandon Deschamps once again as the player nicknamed ‘Banger’ rumbled 14 times for 124 yards and a score.
The defence stepped it up big for the Thunderbirds, led by linebacker Terrell Davis’ three solo tackles, six assisted tackles and a sack. The defence recorded four interceptions on the night, including two by Mitchell Barnett (one 50-yard pick six) and one each by Stavros Katsantonis and Yianni Cabylis. It was also highlighted by an impressive sequence by Connor Griffiths who recorded a sack followed by a tackle for a loss on consecutive plays. Last but not least, kicker Quin van Gylswyk made 5-of-6 field goals attempts to help the team book their first trip back to the Hardy Cup since 2011.
The Dinos, who are undefeated this season, didn’t have it as easy in their 37-29 win over the University of Saskatchewan last week in their semi-final contest. Pivot Andrew Buckley was an efficient 33-of-40 for 367 yards and threw his lone touchdown of the night to Brett Blaszko. Buckley’s favourite targets are likely to be Blaszko and Rashaun Simonise, both of whom went over the 100-yard mark. Blaszko had eight receptions for 115 yards, while the former Vancouver College Fighting Irish Simonise had and ten catches for 166 yards. On the ground, Mercer Timmis led the attack with 21 carries for 154 yards and rumbled for two scores.
On defence, Micah Teitz led the team with seven solo and two assisted tackles, while Doctor Cassama also recorded seven solo stops. The Dinos also recorded four sacks, with Cory Robsinson, Deondre Townsend, Brett Wade, and Joel Van Pelt all recording one apiece.
In their last meeting in September, the Dinos easily handled the Thunderbirds and won by a score of 49-16. Will the Thunderbirds be able to pull off the upset and hand the Dinos their first loss of the season and secure their first Hardy Cup title since 1997? Find out on Saturday live on Global TV.
Chiko's Corner 