VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds passed their first test of the 2022 Canada West season with their fourth quarter comeback victory over the Alberta Golden Bears last week, but an even bigger challenge awaits the blue and gold this Friday when they take on the No. 2 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.
Thanks to UBC's week one 30-21 victory, the T-Birds also find themselves in the U SPORTS Top Ten – appearing at number nine – their highest national ranking since 2018. But while the 'Birds take pride in their home opener performance, that quickly morphed into preparation to take on the defending Hardy Cup champion Huskies in their own home debut.
"This is a good test, so was last week," said UBC Head Coach,
Blake Nill, fresh off his 26
th victory with the T-Birds. "Alberta's probably the most physical team in the Canada West, they always have been. Saskatchewan is very physical as well. We'll be at the toughest venue to win, I believe, and we're also traveling on a short week. So when you combine those elements, this is a real opportunity for us to make a statement and we're going to have to be at our best to take advantage of that."
The last time UBC and Saskatchewan met was mid-November 2021 when the host Huskies ended the T-Birds' season with a 39-17 victory in the Hardy Cup semifinal. The Huskies have come away victorious in four of the last five battles with the 'Birds, with UBC's most recent win a 38-37 comeback thriller in the fall of 2019 at Thunderbird Stadium.
"I don't think that matters," Nill said, confident the page from last season has been fully turned. "The one thing that game does tell us is that we weren't at the level of play Saskatchewan was. We hung in there for moments of the game so if we can take the positives from that game, that's how it helps us. But we know this is a different UBC program, and it's a different Huskies program. I feel we can compete physically, we just have to go out and believe we can go into a hostile environment and win a football game."
Aside from their high national ranking, the Huskies have good reason to be confident heading into their home opener after a dominant 44-5 week one victory over the Calgary Dinos. Veteran quarterback Mason Nyhus had an outstanding performance throwing for over 400 yards with five touchdowns and no picks. Fourth-year receiver Daniel Perry came up with two of those touchdown receptions while six different receivers amassed at least 40 yards.
It's that very ability to spread the ball around Nill would like to see more of from his own squad this week.
"We've got to do a better job of distributing the football to all our athletes quicker, let them make the yardage once they have the ball. That's something that will happen, we have a few new guys on that offence and seeing how they fit in. It's a work in progress."
While Nyhus collected the week one Canada West Offensive Player of the Week nod, rookie Thunderbird receiver
Shemar McBean was in consideration after a 136 yard game and a touchdown. Second-year quarterback
Garrett Rooker also looked to be in midseason form throwing for 251 yards and a pair of TDs along with a rushing major while the running back duo of
Isaiah Knight and
Dane Kapler managed a collective 181 yards on the ground. Put it all together, and both teams' defences could be in for a challenging night.
Kickoff at Griffiths Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m. PT. The game will be
streamed live on Canada West TV.
