The Matchup

 
"Grudge Match" – "Bitter Rivalry" – "Epic Battle" – take your pick as they all apply to what happens when the UBC Thunderbirds (1-0) and Calgary Dinos (1-0) meet on the gridiron.  The rivalry became a "must watch" for football fans the day UBC Head Coach Blake Nill decided to move west from Calgary to Point Prey and man the sidelines for UBC.


 
During the two matchups of 2015, both played in Calgary, the Dinos took their cleats to UBC in the early season affair, 49-16, before UBC evened the score by defeating Calgary 34-26 in a thrilling Hardy Cup final at McMahon Stadium.
 
The Hardy Cup re-match game gets underway Friday at 5:30 PM, live on Shaw TV and via pay-per-view on CanadaWest.tv.
 

Last Action

 
UBC opened their season with a 39-24 victory over the Alberta Golden Bears before a huge crowd of 5,615 at Thunderbird Stadium. It was an up and down game for the Thunderbirds as their offence looked positively potent at times, but their defense gave up 512 total yards.
 

#UBC football wins most first place votes, earns 2nd place in weekly @CIS_SIC poll: https://t.co/rULsScJIla pic.twitter.com/70eIyT95tp

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) September 6, 2016

 
Calgary won a defensive struggle in Winnipeg 23-14 over the Manitoba Bisons to open their season.
 

By the Numbers

 
115.7 – was Michael O'Connor's passer rating in the Alberta game. Despite the gaudy numbers and 15-point victory, O'Connor was not overly happy with his play. UBC Offensive Coordinator Steve Buratto must like the fact his second year pivot always believes his game can be improved.


 
9 – the amount of different players who have carried the ball for UBC this season in their "running game by committee". It looks like it will continue this way for the foreseeable future as no back has really distanced themselves from the pack in UBC's pass-happy offence.
 

Players To Watch

 
Trivel Pinto – (#1, WR) – back from a nagging knee injury that sidelined him throughout training camp, the sure handed speedster was a difference maker in UBC's season opener. He hauled in 6 balls for 105 yards and found the end zone in the second quarter.


 
Treymont Levy – (#94, DL) - UBC needs a big push from the defensive line to slow down a Calgary offence that is looking to find its identity after losing several key players. Levy and his crew, who have yet to register a QB sack in 2016, need to find ways to disturb Calgary quarterback Jimmy Underdahl.
 

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