VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (0-5) held a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Alberta Golden Bears (4-1) rattled off 23 straight points for a 40-20 victory, running their Canada West winning streak to four games while winning at UBC's Thunderbird Stadium for the first time since 2010.
The Golden Bears were led by quarterback Brad Launhardt, who saved his best work for the game's final frame in throwing for 320 yards, two touchdowns and running in another score. Canada West's leading receiver, Ben Kopczynski caught 7 passes for 141 yards, while Alberta kicker Jason Giustini was a perfect six-for-six on field goals, tying a program record in the process.
"The kids just decided they wanted to win the game and made it happen. We were very discombobulated," said Alberta Head Coach Chris Morris. "The beginning we started well then things started happening and we just got a little off track there for awhile, so it was good to get back on track and make some plays at the end of the game to pull away."
UBC's second year quarterback
Gabe Olivares, making his first ever start in the Blue and Gold, showed flashes in throwing for 195 yards and two touchdowns, both to UBC receiver
Trey Kellogg, who hauled in 12 balls overall for 111 yards. Olivares was ultimately done in by the two interceptions he threw and two lost fumbles by UBC kick returners.
Alberta's offence put their stamp on the game early, as Launhardt led his team on a 78-yard drive, culminating with him calling his own number for a two-yard plunge into the end zone.
The two teams' defences took over after that, stymying the opposition and forcing them to settle for fields goals as Giustini hit from 49 and 31 yards, while UBC kicker Garrin McDonell, who continued an excellent 2019 season, hit from 30 and 49 yards.
With UBC down 14-6 heading into the final minutes of the second quarter, Olivares led his team on a scoring march that saw him hit
Jacob Patten on three consecutive throws for first downs. The drive was punctuated when Olivares dropped a perfect touchdown pass on Kellogg, who had ran a precise 15 yard out pattern into the front corner of the end zone.
UBC continued their momentum into the third quarter when a competent 84-yard scoring drive orchestrated by Olivares was finished by Kellogg snagging a sensational over the shoulder reception for the 12-yard touchdown. The scoring play gave the Thunderbirds a 20-14 advantage and their first second half lead of the 2019 season.
But after a brief moment of celebration for UBC, the tide turned in Alberta's favour and they dominated the game until the final whistle.
Laundhardt followed a 38-yard precision strike to Kopczynski with an 8-yard touchdown pass to
Tyler Turner, capping a drive that saw the Golden Bears stop UBC on a third and one rushing attempt and gain possession from a turnover on downs. That score made it 24-20 in favour of Alberta.
One more 38-yard touchdown strike from Launhardt to Tuner and three more Giustini field goals rounded out the scoring for the Alberta Golden Bears, who now find themselves on their first four game winning streak in nearly a decade.
UBC finds itself winless and their playoff hopes fast fading, if still existent at all. That didn't stop Kellogg from putting a positive spin on his team's performance.
"We have three games left and I think the energy of the team, nobody is happy with the position we're in but we've been staying up and today there were lots of good things that we saw," explained Kellogg. "Some goal line stands and touchdowns that we haven't had the last couple weeks. So if we can keep that going forward and clean some things up I think we can finish off the season stronger and hopefully get a couple wins."
UBC will have a chance to get their first win of the season next Friday when they travel to Regina for a match-up with the Rams. The Golden Bears will suit up again next Saturday when they hit the road to do battle with their interprovincial rival, Calgary Dinos.
