The Matchup
After a grueling week and a half of Cam Clark Ford Training Camp, the UBC Thunderbirds are set to play against real opposition for the first time since the 2016 Hardy Cup.
UBC will travel to Kamloops, BC to take on the Alberta Golden Bears in a Canada West non-conference game.
Kickoff is 6pm Wednesday, August 29 at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops, BC and will be streamed live on
CanadaWest.yaretv.com. This will be the first game broadcast on Canada West's new broadcast partner for 2017, Yare TV.
UBC swept the season series versus Alberta in 2016, beating the Golden Bears 29-14 in their home opener at Thunderbird Stadium, before going on the road to Foote Field in Edmonton and laying a thumping on their Alberta rivals, 62-0.
UBC set countless school records in the 62-0 victory, including the largest margin of victory for any Thunderbirds football team in their 84-year history.
Last Action
The 'Birds staged an epic second half comeback in the Hardy Cup, but couldn't overcome a 36-10 deficit and ended up falling to the Calgary Dinos 46-43.
Alberta concluded their 2016 season with a 49-8 loss to Saskatchewan Huskies. The Golden Bears finished 2016 with a 1-7 record, missing the Canada West playoffs.
By the Numbers
34.1 – is the number of pointe per game UBC gave up in 2016. You have to believe the main objective of the off-season was getting that number down.
6.3 – with
Michael O'Connor quarterbacking the 'Birds and so many weapons at wide receiver (
Marcus Davis,
Trivel Pinto,
Alex Morrison), some overlook just how strong the UBC rushing attack was in 2016 led by
Ben Cummings and his 970 rushing yards.
Players To Watch
Charles Nwoye – UBC – DL – now in his third season of playing organized football, his first season as a football player was UBC's 2015 Vanier Cup triumph, Nwoye holds limitless potential and athletic ability. He admits this will be the year he has to make an impact for the Thunderbirds.
Ed Ilnicki – Alberta – RB – Ilnicki returns to Bears after being selected in the CFL draft and is coming off back-to-back 750 yard rushing seasons in Canada West.
