The Matchup

 
If there was ever a moment in a season where a football team needed it's star players to step up and make a difference it's this Friday night in Regina. The UBC Thunderbirds (3-3) will hit the road to play the Regina Rams (4-2) in a game that holds massive Canada West playoff implications.


 
Kick-off is at 6 PM (PST) and can be seen live on both Shaw TV and CanadaWest.TV.
 
 

Last Action

 
Both teams are coming off disappointing performances and will be looking to find the win column in such an important game.
 
UBC looked disjointed and like the long list of injuries they have faced this year finally caught up with them in a 40-10 loss to Saskatchewan.
 
Regina's normally high-flying offence was grounded, as the Rams were shocked 19-18 by the previously winless Alberta Golden Bear.
 

By the Numbers

 
35-23 – the scoring differential in favor of the 'Birds in first quarters this year. Unfortunately they've followed that up with an 88-45 deficit in the second quarter of games. UBC needs to find a way to keep the momentum from their hot starts.


 
14/28 – the number of TD's UBC has scored in their red zone (within opponents 20-yard line) opportunities. Not bad, but the number will need to be cranked up if the 'Birds are going to make noise in their final two regular season games and the Canada West playoffs.
 
 

Players To Watch

 
Ben Cummings (#4, RB) – at the beginning of the season it wasn't even know if Cummings would be the starting running back. Now the Abbotsford native is carrying the offence. Cummings has 496 all-purpose yards in his last two games.


 
Trivel Pinto (#1, WR/DB) – there is lingering concern the dynamic Pinto's foray into the world of "ironman football" this year will lead to him wearing down in the season's final days. Despite the tough loss against Regina, Pinto was still the only T-Bird to find the end zone. You can take into account that Pinto's basketball and football seasons would overlap through his high school career in Toronto.