THIS GAME: Regina at UBC, Fri., Sep. 24, 7:00 p.m., Thunderbird Stadium
RADIO/WEB: 101.9 CiTR FM,
www.citr.ca
TV: Shaw
LIVE STATS
SHAW TV YouTube promo
A LOOK AT THE T-BIRDS
The Thunderbirds have been on a roller-coaster ride through the first three weeks of the CIS 2010 football season. After a narrow defeat in week one, the 'Birds bounced back with a convincing win over then #2 Saskatchewan, only to come out flat in the second half of week three's 40-17 loss to the previously winless Manitoba Bisons.
UBC head coach
Shawn Olson's young squad is learning some tough lessons but in each game the T-Birds have shown they have the talent to win any game they play.
Quarterback
Billy Greene has shown huge growth in 2010 and has been a threat through the air and along the ground. Greene has been UBC's leading rusher in two of the first three games, and thrown for six touchdowns on the young season. The third-year Surrey, B.C., native leads the Canada West in total offence, averaging over 365 yards per game passing and rushing.
The biggest concern for the T-Birds heading into Week 4 is the health of all-star running back
Dave Boyd and defensive leader
Nathan Kanya.
Kanya was dominant in the win over the Huskies with nine tackles, with four of those for a loss and two sacks. His absence last week due to a neck injury contributed to UBC's troubles both stopping Manitoba's running game and pressuring the passer. Kanya's status for Friday's game is still up in the air and he will need doctor's clearance to suit up against the Rams.
Boyd's status is more certain. His high ankle sprain shows no signs of allowing him to play against Regina, which presents an immediate challenge for the 'Birds as they lost their number two rusher,
Robert Giorno, is week one to a knee injury. UBC struggled to generate any offence once Boyd went down in last week's game. They'll have to find a way to establish a strong running attack early to keep the Rams' defence honest and open up the passing game from there.
A LOOK AT THE RAMS
The Regina Rams have Canada West's most potent offence, having put up 103 points on the young season. And while their offence has scored the conference's most touchdowns with 12, the Rams defence has also allowed the fewest with six.
The Rams defence this year has both allowed the fewest rushing yards (403), delivered the most sacks (10), and snagged the most interceptions (five) in Canada West play.
Defensive back Matt Yausie leads Canada West with 23 tackles, while linebacker Chris Sciog is close behind with 19. The Rams also boast the conference's sack leader, Steve Famulak, with three-and-a-half.
Regina's offence is full of conference leaders as well, with the most potent of those being running back Adrian Charles. Charles has rushed for 370 yards and four touchdowns in three games.
Quarterback Marc Mueller leads Canada West with 883 passing yards. His favorite targets include Mark McConkey and Brenden Owens, who are conference leaders in receptions and receiving yards respectively.
On special teams, Chris Bodnar has averaged over 40 yards per punt, keeping his team out of trouble when they've (rarely) struggled to move the ball.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Thunderbirds haven't been able to find a way to beat Regina since 2007, dropping each of their last three meetings with the Rams. The 'Birds are 4-6 in their last ten games versus Regina going back to 2002.
For the second straight year, UBC hosts Regina at Thunderbird Stadium, where the T-Birds will be looking for a happier result than last season's 28-17 loss.
With every team in Canada West sporting either a 2-1 record like Regina or a 1-2 record like UBC, both teams know that each week in 2010 is going to be significant.
COACH OLSON ON...
Bouncing back from a disappointing performance:
“We need to get back at it in practice, and approach every day like it matters. We need to get back to where we were at the beginning of the year, treating every rep in practice like it's an important rep. On Saturday we didn't make enough plays, but that started on Wednesday.”
Competing in a conference with so much parity:
“From week to week any team in Canada West can beat any team - whether you're the top or the bottom it doesn't matter. We're trying to attack the areas where we think we can give another team problems, but at the same time we have to be able to execute. Sometimes that means keeping it simple, but sometimes it means getting creative. At this level, it usually comes down to the confidence your players have. My focus this week is going to be on our players mentally prepared more than anything.”
Dealing with key injuries:
“Guys have to step up. The losses of
Nathan Kanya and
Dave Boyd affected us emotionally as much as anything. Those guys are two leaders, guys who drive the bus on offense and defense. We need some guys to step up there. Every time there's an injury, there's a chance for a young kid to step up and make an impression.”
SHRUM BOWL 33
Despite SFU's move to NCAA Division II, the biggest football rivalry game in the lower mainland is still on. UBC hosts Shrum this year on Friday, October 8 with Canadian rules the name of the game. Tickets are available for $15 or as part of a T-Bird football season's pass ($25).
-30-
