EDMONTON, AB – After a week of soul-searching and long, tough practices the UBC Thunderbirds (2-2) came out flying and never let up in a record breaking 62-0 win over the Alberta Golden Bears (0-4). The 62-point spread was the largest margin of victory in UBC's football history (2013, UBC 60-0 over Alberta), while
Michael O'Connor's five touchdown passes (Danny Smith, Oct. 15th, 1977 against Alberta) and
Marshall Cook's three touchdown grabs (Paul Pearson, Oct. 29th, 1977 at Puget Sound – Andrew Murray, Oct. 6th, 1984 vs. Saskatchewan) tied school records.
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O'Connor and Cook got the scoreboard lights buzzing early in the game with a 69 yard scoring pass that set the stage for the lopsided affair. Less than five minutes later the duo connected again, this time with O'Connor finding Cook on a nine-yard touchdown pass to cap off a three play 48 yard scoring drive.
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UBC lead 22-0 at halftime and 29-0 after three quarters, as freshman wide receiver
Trey Kellogg found the end zone for the first time in his T-Birds career on an 18-yard strike from O'Connor.
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The fourth quarter was a relentless avalanche of UBC big plays. Cook caught another four yard touchdown from O'Connor,
Marcus Davis returned a punt 60 yards to pay dirt,
Ben Cummings plunged into the Alberta end zone from the one yard line and
A. J. Blackwell returned a fumble 70 yards for a major.Â
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The display of UBC offence left the Golden Bears in shambles, the statisticians dizzy and the UBC football record book in tatters.
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The 'Birds are now 2-2 and are set up for what could be a pivotal game in their 2016 season next Friday, September 30th at Thunderbird Stadium. UBC will host the Manitoba Bisons for a 6 PM (PT) kickoff. The game will have huge playoff implications in the Canada West conference as the Thunderbirds, Bisons, and Saskatchewan Huskies all have identical 2-2 records.Â
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