It's do or die time for the UBC Thunderbirds (0-5) as they're back on the road for a critical matchup with the Regina Rams (1-4) on Friday, October 4
th at Mosaic Stadium.
Having started the season 0-5 for the first time since 2003, Friday's game against the Rams is a must-win for the 'Birds if they have any hope of making the post-season for a fifth straight season.
An inexperienced roster combined with a plethora of injuries has led to a challenging campaign for the T-Birds, but one that will likely pay dividends in the years to come as a result of working through this adversity.
While there have been improvements week by week, it hasn't been enough to get into the elusive win column.
As for the Rams, they're mired in a four-game losing skid with their only win of the season coming in week one in Vancouver where they earned a 46-16 win over the 'Birds.
Friday's battle is likely a must-win scenario for Regina as well as the Rams are two games behind both Saskatchewan and Manitoba for the final two Canada West playoff berths.
Kickoff for UBC's penultimate road game of the season is 6:00 p.m. PT Friday and can be streamed live on
Canada West TV.
Last Action
On the strength of two
Gabe Olivares touchdown passes to
Trey Kellogg, the T-Birds held a 20-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter against Alberta. But the Golden Bears stormed back with 23 points in the final frame to hand UBC a 40-20 loss.
In a game that saw five lead changes, the Rams were also ahead heading into the fourth quarter last week, up 25-21 on Manitoba only to have the Bisons score two field goals including a 39 yarder on the final play of the game as Regina suffered the 27-26 loss.
Players to Watch
Trey Kellogg (#21, REC) – The fourth-year receiver had a season-high 111 receiving yards and a career-high two touchdowns last week against the Bears. The Calgary area native leads the 'Birds with 292 yards receiving on the season and is fourth in the Canada West with 27 total receptions.
Ben Hladik (#52, LB) – The Vernon, B.C. product is averaging eight tackles per game with a total of 40 so far this season, second in the Canada West only behind teammate
Nick Cross. Last week against Alberta, Hladik had a game-leading nine solo tackles.
Coach's Take
There's no doubt last week's fourth-quarter meltdown was a tough pill to swallow for the 'Birds, but there's also no doubt the team has continued to improve week-by-week.
"We're making more plays, but we're also making mistakes that have to be eliminated," said UBC head coach
Blake Nill. "We have to learn that we're going to face adversity and we have to have some resiliency and I truly believe that's one of our biggest issues right now. When we lose momentum we just have a terrible time trying to recapture it if we're able to at all."
Leading the way on offence last week was veteran receiver
Trey Kellogg who had a career game against the Golden Bears while putting together a breakout type season for the 'Birds.
"It took a long time but
Trey Kellogg is playing football the way I thought he would two years ago and you're seeing the impact he has," added Nill. "Now that he's performing at this level I think the players will embrace him taking a leadership role and it would help if some others followed Trey's path. Right now Trey is playing his best football as a UBC Thunderbird and I'm looking forward to see him hit even higher levels in the next three games."
While not eliminated from playoff contention, the 'Birds are also looking to next season.
"They're auditioning for their future role in this program. I want to see our players and coaches approach each and every day of practice with the proper amount of preparation and then on game day, like it's the national championship."
