Edmonton, AB - The UBC Thunderbirds football team rushed for 293 yards on route to a 29-10 victory over the Alberta Golden Bears Saturday afternoon at Foote Field in Edmonton.
Billy Greene (Surrey, BC) racked up 335 yards of total offense.Â
"This was huge. The first win definitely proved to be the hardest for us to get, but we are glad to finally get the monkey off our back," said head coach
Shawn Olson. "We came into this season with a group of guys that had big expectations and then things didn't go our way and we started to play tight and make mental mistakes. Today were able to relax, play loose and get the job done."
Both the Thunderbirds (1-4) and Golden Bears (0-5) came into the game looking for their first win of the season, and it was UBC's banged up defence setting the tone early. After receiving the opening kickoff Alberta fumbled at mid-field and the Thunderbirds would recover. It took little time for
Brandon Deschamps (Prince George, BC) to punch it in from 15 yards out for his first rushing touchdown of the season, giving UBC a 7-0 lead. On their next drive, the Golden Bears drove it down inside the Thunderbirds five yard line and had three cracks to score, but could not do it. On third and goal Curtis Dell was picked off by rookie
Dominique Termansen (North Vancouver, BC) in the end zone to keep it a 7-0 game. On the ensuing drive, Greene scampered 62 yards for a major to put the Thunderbirds in front 14-0 with 5:49 remaining in the first quarter.
UBC would add to their lead in the second quarter courtesy of Deschamps on a two yard run, the Thunderbirds were in full control up 21-0. They would add another point on
Thomas Moult's first missed field goal of the year to lead 22-0 and then just before the half was out, the defence would make another stand, snuffing out a third and short play inside the Thunderbirds red zone to keep it 22-0 at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, Greene hooked up with
Patrick Bull (Vancouver, BC) on a four yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to make it 29-2 UBC. The Golden Bears would add a late touchdown, but it would not be enough as the Thunderbirds picked up their first win of the season, 29-10.
UBC finished the day with 472 yards of total offense, 293 yards on the ground and 187 yards passing.
Greene rushed for 148 yards on 12 carries, scoring one touchdown and throwing for another 187 yards and one touchdown.
Deschamps, who came into the game with 342 yards rushing on the season, put up another 94 yards and two touchdowns.
"We have been committed to the ground game all year," said Olson. "Because of our success today we were able to control the clock and keep our defense off the field.
Brandon Deschamps continues to grind it out. He runs hard and always seems to get positive yardage even when the yards aren't there."
Defensively, the Thunderbirds held a team to under 30 for the first time this season, giving up just 369 yards of total offense to Alberta and recording five quarterback sacks, two each by
Martin Park (Surrey, BC) and
Vivie Bojilov (New Westminster, BC).
"Our young guys on defence played well today," said Olson. "We were able to limit our mistakes and do our jobs. The front seven continued to be solid and today, especially, were able to get pressure on the quarterback which obviously caused a lot of problems for their offense."
UBC nows has a week off before playing their final home game of the regular season, Saturday October 13th against the Regina Rams. Game time is 2 p.m. at Thunderbird Stadium.Â
"It's perfect timing to have a week off," said Olson. "We have so many banged up guys, especially in our secondary, and hopefully this will give them a chance to heal up and be ready to go come the 13th against Regina."
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