The Matchup
There will be no love lost when familiar foes take to the gridiron in Canada West playoff action Saturday, November 4 as the No. 6 UBC Thunderbirds (6-2) host the No. 9 Regina Rams (4-4) for a second straight week with a berth in the Hardy Cup Final on the line.
It's a rematch of last year's Hardy Cup semi-final when the 'Birds advanced to a second straight conference championship game with a 40-34 win over the Rams.
The two rivals split the 2017 season series with each picking up a win at home. The Rams won 36-20 back in week one while UBC earned a decisive 44-15 victory just last week.
The T-Birds and Rams are no strangers to each other having met five previous times over the past two seasons, more than any other two teams in that span.
Kick off at Thunderbird Stadium is set for 3:00 p.m. PT.
Last Action
It's not often two teams destined to meet in a playoff game battle each other the week prior as well. The 'Birds hammered the Rams 44-15 as
Michael O'Connor threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns while second string quarterback
Cole Meyer ran in two himself as UBC put up 35 points in the second quarter alone.
By the Numbers
59 – UBC finished the regular season with a point differential of +59, the second best in the conference. The T-Birds' defence allowed just 29 combined points in the last two weeks allowing a total of 172 points against on the year, by far the best mark in the Canada West.
13 – The 'Birds defence led the conference with 13 interceptions, four in the last two weeks alone. The 'Birds racked up 277 yards on pickoff returns with one touchdown.
Players to Watch
Alex Morrison (#85, WR) – The veteran receiver had his second multi-touchdown game in the last three weeks against Regina with a pair of major scores and 90 yards receiving. Morrison finished the season with 496 yards and six touchdowns leading the Thunderbirds' offence in both categories.
Ben Hladik (#52, LB) – The rookie linebacker had yet another stellar game with six total tackles while also being credited with half a sack against Regina last week. The Vernon, BC product has 28 total tackles on the season and leads the entire Canada West with three fumble recoveries.
Coach's Take
Facing an opponent as familiar as the Rams are to the Thunderbirds has both benefits but also challenges.
"We do feel we know them well so we're going to set a lot of stuff to try and take advantage of what we feel should happen but at the same time we have to assume that they're going to counter with something," said UBC head coach
Blake Nill who has a 5-1 post-season record with UBC and 33-14 in his U SPORTS head coaching career. "But ultimately what it comes down to is we got to keep insisting that our players execute at the highest level possible."
Even though the 'Birds handily defeated the Rams last week, Nill isn't concerned about anybody getting complacent. "As a coaching staff we talk endlessly about having respect for your opponents and knowing your opponents," said Nill. "I just feel that my guys know that this is a quality football program and that they have to be on their A game if they want a chance for success. I'm comfortable that we're going to come out and play to the best of our ability."
Nill has seen his offence progress throughout the season and feels his veteran players are leading the way and playing their best football right now, but he adds the devil will be in the details.
"We need to be tighter on defence and I think offensively we just have to go out and do the things that we have done last week and that's trying to get yards after the catch, try to break a tackle and do a good job protecting (O'Connor) and ultimately we have to play with a level of discipline that supercedes them," said Nill. "We realize what has to happen, we know what we feel we have to do and now it's just a matter of going out and getting it done."
