REGINA, Sask. – In one of the wildest finishes to a UBC football game in recent memory, the Thunderbirds stormed back from a 23-0 fourth quarter deficit to earn a 31-30 overtime win over the Regina Rams at Mosaic Stadium Saturday afternoon.
After both teams had scored touchdowns on their opening possessions in overtime, UBC went for the two-point conversion and the win. Thunderbirds quarterback Garrett Rooker dropped back and hit Trey Kellogg right at the goal line to seal the victory and complete the T-Birds' comeback.
"It's a huge game for the UBC program," said T-Birds Head Coach Blake Nill. "There isn't any athlete on the team right now that's had a bigger win in their UBC career. I'm very happy for them, I'm proud of them and of my coaching staff who have worked so hard to support these young men and I can't say enough about them as a group."
Just a few minutes earlier, the Rams had a chance to win the game on the final play in regulation. A great catch by Kyler Mosley helped Regina get into position for a 49-yard field goal, but Aldo Galvan's kick was wide left.
The win was UBC's first of the season as the Thunderbirds were coming off losses to both Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Canada West standings now feature a four-way knot at 1-2 which includes both UBC and Regina along with Calgary and Alberta.
UBC's fourth-quarter surge saw the young T-Birds score touchdowns on three consecutive possessions. It all started with a 60-yard run by Isaiah Knight that set up a one-yard Dane Kapler run to get the visitors on the board. UBC's next drive was highlighted by a 33-yard completion to Kellogg and finished off with a one-yard plunge by Rooker, his third rushing major of the season.
A critical Keijaun Johnson interception on the ensuing Rams drive gave UBC the ball in Regina territory. Rooker found Edgerrin Williams from 16 yards out for UBC's third touchdown, then tied the game after the mobile quarterback ran it in for a two-point conversion.
The Rams scored all 23 of their points in the first half, all off balls delivered by Josh Donnelly. Riley Boersma, Kyle Borsa, and D'Sean Mimbs all caught touchdowns in the opening two quarters, and those along with a conceded UBC safety put the Rams up 23-0 at halftime.
Rooker ended up completing 31 of his 47 passes for 335 yards with Williams (11 catches for 131 yards) as his top target. Knight finished as the game's leading rusher with 20 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown. Along with Johnson's pick, Lake Korte-Moore had a solo sack and Ryan Baker and Natale Frangione combined for another one.
The offence may have got the job done in the fourth and overtime for the T-Birds but just as crucial was the defence's play in the final 15 and beyond as things came together for the first time in this shortened season.
"It shows that we have potential to play and compete in this conference and succeed in this conference," added Nill. "We have to remember, Regina last week beat the number one team in the country and we go into their place and, to be honest, play relatively average to poor the first three quarters. But with a young group, momentum means everything and these kids got a taste of momentum and were able to show how talented a group they are."
Thanks to the big finish in Regina Saturday combined with results in the other two Canada West games, the T-Birds are all of a sudden back in the playoff potential conversation entering the final half of the six-game regular season.
Perhaps the biggest test of all, however, comes next week when the 'Birds return home to Thunderbird Stadium to host the 3-0 Manitoba Bisons.
"How we respond next week is going to tell a big story. I think we're moving in the right direction, I think we have the talent to be a playoff team here, whether we have the mindset and the maturity to be a playoff team remains to be seen."
The story versus the Bisons will be told Saturday, October 21st. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are available for free but must be reserved in advance.
