The Matchup

 
In the forgiving world that is the Canada West playoff structure, a team like the UBC Thunderbirds (3-5) can suffer a heartbreaking overtime loss (41-35 to Calgary) and still be in a position to make everything good with a win the next week. Saturday afternoon the 'Birds begin their defense of the Hardy and Vanier Cups for real when they take on the Canada West number one ranked Regina Rams (6-2) in the Hardy Cup semi-final.


 
Storylines abound in this one. This will be the last football game played at 'Old' Mosaic Stadium, which will be demolished in 2017. This will be the third time these teams have played in 2016, so to say that they will have a very healthy dislike for one another is an understatement. Regina has beat the 'Birds twice, 20-10 at UBC Homecoming way back in September, and again two weeks ago when they nipped UBC 35-33 at 'Old' Mosaic.
 
Kickoff goes at 2:30pm PT and can be watched on both Shaw and CanadaWest.TV.
 
 

Last Action

 
As mentioned, UBC lost a thriller to Calgary in overtime at Thunderbird Stadium, 41-35. It was a tale of two halves for the 'Birds. In the first half they looked like the dominant team of 2015 that hoisted the Vanier Cup. QB Michael O'Connor was zipping balls all over the field with pinpoint accuracy. The 'Blue and Gold' defense was forcing turnovers and playing with an adrenalized pursuit. Things fell apart a bit in the second half, as the Dinos erased a 24-11 halftime deficit, but UBC must feel good knowing they can take their game to a dominant level heading into the playoffs.
 

Touchdown @ubctbirds! O'Connor to Watson and we're tied 7-7. #GoBirdsGo@CWUAA pic.twitter.com/EVY8aOEgnq

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) October 30, 2016

 
Regina took care of Manitoba 55-21 to complete a worst-to-first turnaround in 2016. The Rams were an abysmal 0-8 in 2015, before going 6-2 in 2016 and winning the Canada West regular season.
 

 
By the Numbers

 
5784 – the combined passing yardage in 2016 of O'Connor and Rams QB Noah Picton. If you like dynamic aerial attacks, this match-up has all the making of classic Canada West shootout.


 
8 / 2 – the amount of touchdowns and interceptions that Canada West First Team All-Star defensive back Trivel Pinto put on his stat sheet in 2016. You can't say enough about Pinto's performance in the 2016 regular season, but knowing his ability to come through in the clutch, keep your eyes peeled for some dramatics from #1.
 

Players To Watch

 
Levi Hua (#59, OL) – a Canada West All-Star at centre for the 'Birds, if the big Abbotsford native can open holes for the UBC running game and give O'Connor that extra second to survey the field from the pocket, you know the T-Birds will be there until the very end.
 

At the half: UBC running back Ben Cummings with 14 carries for 159 yards. @ubctbirds leading @UCDinos 24-11. @CWUAA football. #GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/PhdGMaTIyM

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) October 30, 2016

 
Greg Hutchins (#10, K/P) – speaking of the end, often playoff games come down to a last minute field goal. Strong punting will also be crucial to the field position battle. What a time and stage for Hutchins to have a career game for UBC.