Vancouver, BC - The seventh ranked UBC Thunderbirds officially kickoff the 2012 Canada West regular season football campaign Saturday afternoon, September 1st, at Thunderbird Stadium (2:00 pm), when they play host to the Manitoba Bisons. Last year in their lone meeting of the season, the Thunderbirds defeated Manitoba 29-23 on home turf. Saturday marks the first of two meetings during the 2012 season.
The Bisons are coming off a 3-5 season (4-4 officially) and haven't made the playoffs since 2007, the same year they went on to win the Vanier Cup. This year they started off the season with a 29-13 exhibition win over the Regina Rams on August 24.
Manitoba boasts arguably the most explosive running game in the Canada West, with 1
st Team All-Canadian Anthony Coombs and Nic Demski. Fortunately for the Thunderbirds, Coombs will not be making the trip due to injury. Last he racked up 1,203 all purpose yards and nine touchdowns. Demski will get the start instead. He proved to be a threat to score every time he touched the ball last season, amassing 647 all purpose yards, including 348 kick return yards and two touchdowns. In last year's match up against UBC the Bisons offense put up a staggering 607 yards of total offense, but only managed 23 points.
“Obviously, it's important for us to stop the run first and foremost,” said Thunderbirds defensive back
Kofi Kuma-Mintah (Surrey, BC). “We lost a number of guys from our defense last year, but this season we have recruited some strong, athletic players that are ready to step.”
Kuma-Mintah who moves from cornerback to halfback this season is just one of four returning starters on defense from last year. In 2011 the philosophy was bend, but don't break. In 2012 you can expect the defense to be much more aggressive.
“We may be young, but we are a resilient group that has the will to win,” said Kuma-Mintah. “Our speed and energy will give the opposing offense problems.”
The Bisons biggest loss is at the quarterback position as Khaleal Williams finished up his eligibility last year. Expect 5
th year pivot Cam Clark, a Whalley, BC native and former QB for the South Surrey Rams to get the start.
Defensively Manitoba returns seven of 12 starters, including 1
st Team All-Canadian safety Teague Sherman. Thunderbirds quarterback
Billy Greene (Surrey, BC) knows this will be a tough test to start the season.
“They are a veteran group that has a lot of talent,” said Greene. “Manitoba is the type of team that is never out of the game. We have to keep the pedal down and take what they give us, especially early on. Last year, they didn't want me to run, so they toned down their rush. If that is the case this year, I just need to be patient and make the appropriate adjustments.”
One of the keys heading into training camp for the offense was to establish a more consistent running game, taking some of the pressure off Greene. With the departure of
Dave Boyd, head coach
Shawn Olson will look to a trio of running backs to get the job done, including
Brandon Deschamps (Prince George, BC),
Taylor Souster (Sherwood Park, AB), and
Sam Adu (Victoria, BC). Obviously, they will rely on the work of the offensive line up front, which was beefed up this year with the addition of CJFL All-Canadian
Alec Pennell (Port Coquitlam, BC), who stands 6'7, 320 pounds.
“It is a work in progress, but we believe we have the depth and the ability to get the job done on the ground,” said Greene. “We are striving for consistency over four quarters which will help to control the game and keep our defense off the field.”
A big reason for UBC's success last year was its play at Thunderbird Stadium. The Thunderbirds were a perfect 5-0 at home.
A reminder to fans, parking is available at Thunderbird Parkade (5 minute walk from Thunderbird Stadium) on the corner of Westbrook Mall and Thunderbird Blvd. for $6.00 or in meter parking along East Mall. All parking at Thunderbird Stadium is reserved for VIP's.
