WINNIPEG - The UBC Thunderbirds are proving to be road warriors in 2013 as they defeated the No. 10 Manitoba Bisons 28-24 Saturday afternoon at Inverstors Group Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba to improve to 3-3 on the season and a perfect 3-0 on the road.
UBC linebacker Riley Jones made the play of the game, stripping the ball out of the hands of Anthony Coombs on third and 12 in the end zone and denying the Bisons the go ahead touchdown with just 33 seconds remaining in the game. Manitoba turned the ball over on downs and Carson Williams only had to take a knee to earn the Thunderbirds a crucial victory.
"To be honest I was more focused on the line of scrimmage because I thought there should have been a holding call so I didn't really see Riley strip the ball," said UBC head coach Shawn Olson. "We've talked a number of times this year about how some plays are just bigger than others and how we need to step up at crucial times and that is what we did today."
BOX SCORE
Both UBC and Manitoba are now tied in the Canada West standings with a record of 3-3, but the Bisons currently hold the tiebreaker, which is points for against other teams and so they remain in third place, while the Thunderbirds sit in fourth place.
Williams was outstanding Saturday, putting together the best day of his career as UBC's starting quarterback. He finished the day 22-40 for 348 yards and two touchdowns. He orchestrated an eight play, 89 yard drive for the winning points, connecting with Micha Theil in the end zone with 3:24 remaining to put the 'Birds in front 28-24. He was 4-for-4 for 51 yards on the drive.
"Carson played very well today, making good decisions and putting us in good positions," said Olson. "He has been very hot and cold so far this year, but today was a big step and I am happy for him."
UBC's defence was outstanding all day long keeping Coombs, receiver Nic Demski, and quarterback Jordan Yantz in check. Yantz finished the day with just 194 yards passing. He did the most damage with his feet running for 85 yards. Coombs was held to just 87 yard rushing, while Demski picked up only 44 yards receiving, none of which came in the first half.Â
Full credit to the Thunderbirds front four of Kareem Ba, Donovan Dale, Spencer Wilson, and Martin Park who combined for five sacks and a couple of forced fumbles on the day.
"Those guys up front were absolutely relentless and that is what we needed on this day," said Olson. "Kareem Ba has come on as of late, getting better every week and he was just too much for their offensive line to handle."
Trailing 3-0 after the first quarter of play, the Thunderbirds went to work in the second quarter. A 58 yard Williams completion to David Scott put UBC inside the 15 yard line and from there Greg Bowcott punched it in from two yards out to put the Thunderbirds in front 7-3.
After a Quinn Van Gylswyk single off a punt and a 22 yard field goal, Kareem Ba stripped Yantz of the ball and recovered the fumble to put UBC 1st and 10 from the Manitoba 27 yard line with 33 seconds left in the first half. Williams didn't waste anytime, hooking up with Scott on a 27 yard touchdown pass to give UBC a 18-3 lead at the half.
It didn't start off well in the second half for UBC. On their second offensive play, Greg Bowcott fumbled and D.J. Lalama picked up the loose ball and scampered 50 yards for the major to cut the lead to 18-10. On the Bisons next possession they would march all the way into the red zone and Kienan LaFrance would cap it off with a three yard touchdown run to make it a one point game, 18-17 Thunderbirds.
Before the third quarter was out, Van Gylswyk hit an 18-yard field goal to make it 21-17 UBC. However, the BIsons engineered an impressive drive thanks to a couple of clutch runs from Yantz and finished it off with a five yard touchdown reception by Coombs to put the Bisons back in from 24-21.
Scott had an outstanding day receiving making seven grabs for 170 yards and one touchdown. Josh Kronstrom finished with eight catches for 92 yards, and Theil had four receptions for 47 yards and a major.
UBC defensive back Miguel Barker was taken off the field in an ambulance after injuring himself early in the third quarter. Medical staff decided to take precautionary measures and take him to the hospital because he was experiencing some pain in his neck and head. He was later cleared and released and on the flight home with the rest of his teammates.
The Thunderbirds now get a much needed week off for Thanksgiving and will be back in action Saturday October 19 when they play host to the Alberta Golden Bears at David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff is 2:00 pm for the final home game of the regular season.
