Calgary, AB - The Calgary Dinos overcame an early 17-0 deficit to defeat the UBC Thunderbirds 42-28 Saturday afternoon in the Canada West semi-final at McMahon Stadium. With the victory the undefeated Dinos will play host to the Hardy Cup Championship game next weekend against the Manitoba Bisons.Â
A see-saw game, the Thunderbirds gave the Dinos all they could handle Saturday in less than ideal conditions, as snow covered the field from the opening kickoff and continued to come down throughout the game. After going down 17-0, the Dinos were able to rattle off 18 straight points to lead 18-17 after the first half.
The 'Birds re-took the lead in the third quarter as Brandon Deschamps rattled off a 22-yard touchdown run to put the visitors in front 24-18.Â
After the Dinos kicked a field goal to cut the lead to 24-21, they would get the break they were looking for late in the third quarter as Rashaun Simonise returned a UBC punt 52 yards down to the Thunderbirds 17. However, because the officials missed the first year return man step out of bounds at midfield on the return, Calgary was in business. Mercer Timmis would punch it in from the one yard line on third and goal early in the fourth quarter to give the Dinos a 28-24 lead. A lead they would never relinquish.
On the ensuing possession the Thunderbirds would have to settle for a 20-yard Quinn Van Gylswyk field goal to once again make it a one point game, 28-27 Calgary.
As the game wore on the Dinos and Timmis seemed to pick up steam, wearing down the UBC defence. Timmis would score again on a one yard touchdown run to give the Dinos their biggest lead of the day, 35-27.
After Calgary surrendered a single to make it a seven point game, the Thunderbirds got the ball back at their own 20 yard line with 2:35 left. Unfortunately, Deschamps would be stuffed on third and two to end the drive and turn the ball over.
Andrew Buckley would add a late touchdown, running it in from 10 yards out to make it a 42-28 final.
"This game was a metaphor for our entire season, close on so many occasions, but just not quite there in the end," said UBC head coach Shawn Olson. "We play in such a tough, competitive conference where every game comes down to two our three plays and tonight I look at the two times where we had to settle for field goals as opposed to touchdowns as being a big factor."
UBC got exactly the start they were looking for as Greg Bowcott capped off a five-play, 56-yard opening drive with a one yard touchdown plunge to put the Thunderbirds up 7-0.
On their next drive, Deschamps rattled off his longest run of the day, running 63 yards and into Calgary territory. Van Gylswyk kicked a 15-yard field goal to make it 10-0 UBC.
Calgary would give the ball right back to the Thunderbirds on the next drive as Jordan Bosa picked off Buckley and returned it inside the Dinos 40 yard line. Carson Williams didn't waste anytime, connecting with Josh Kronstrom on a 35-yard touchdown strike with 4:30 left in the opening quarter. 17-0 UBC.
The No.3 ranked Dinos would have an answer. A Jake Harty touchdown grab cut the lead to 17-7. Then UBC gave up a safety after a bad snap on a punt to make it 17-9. From there Johnny Mark would kick three straight field goals (41, 34, 10) to give the Dinos an 18-17 lead at the half.
Deschamps finished the day with 184 yards on the ground on 22 carries and one touchdown. His counterpart from Calgary, Mercer Timmis, was just as impressive racking up 164 yards on 32 carries and two touchdowns.
Carson Williams went 13-for-22 for 256 yards passing and a touchdown. Andrew Buckley finished 22-for-31 for 218 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Patrick Bull led all receivers with six grabs for 134 yards.
UBC finishes the season 4-5 and 0-3 against the Dinos. Calgary will host the Hardy Cup Championship next weekend against the Manitoba Bisons.
