Winnipeg, MB - UBC goes in search of revenge, a win, and third place in the conference when they take on the Manitoba Bisons Saturday afternoon in weekend. The Thunderbirds are a perfect 2-0 on the road so far this season.
UBC (2-3) is still reeling from a 36-32 loss to Manitoba (3-2) back on September 14 when the Thunderbirds blew a 17-point lead with nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With three games remaining in their Canada West schedule, getting a win Saturday will be pivotal to moving up in the conference standings. Currently the Thunderbirds are in fourth place with three games remaining, against Manitoba, Alberta, and Calgary. Manitoba is in third place with games against UBC, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. If UBC can win Saturday both teams will be 3-3 with two games left in the season. If UBC can win by more than four points, they will hold the tiebreaker over the Bisons.Â
The big question heading into the weekend is the health of
Brandon Deschamps, the leading rusher in the CIS. The third year back left last Saturday's game against Saskatchewan early in the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return. He will be a game time decision for head coach
Shawn Olson on Saturday. If he can't go, look for Olson to use a combination of
Jeff Effah,
Raymond Calderwood, and
Liam Mahara to split the duties.
"Jeff is the most complete and most seasoned of the group," said
Shawn Olson. "He isn't the type of player to rattle off 80 yard runs, but he gets the job done. Manitoba is tough up front and last time we faced them we struggled to run the ball, even with Brandon. Hopefully on Saturday will be able to manufacture a ground game and take pressure off our quarterbacks."
The key on defence will once again being able to stop the two-headed monster of running back Anthony Coombs and receiver Nic Demski. In the first meeting of the season, Demski caught 10 balls for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while Coombs added another 140 yards on the ground and 35 yards receiving, including a touchdown catch. Stop them and you stop the Bisons.
"It is possible to limit those two, but you have to execute for the entire game," said Olson. "If you look back at our last meeting we played well for 50 minutes of the 60 minute game, containing and keeping them in check and at times even dominating them, but unfortunately in the final 10 minutes it was the exact opposite."
Being able to pressure Mantioba quarterback Jordan Yantz with just the front four will be huge. That will prevent the 'Birds from being forced to lock up one-on-one with Demski and Coombs. UBC did a great job last week versus Saskatchewan, sacking Drew Burko three times. Look for
Donovan Dale and
Spencer Wilson to lead the charge.
Kickoff is set for 11:00 am PST at brand new Investors Group Field and can be watched live on line at
canadawest.tv.
