VANCOUVER – One of the most anticipated UBC football season openers in recent memory is upon us as the UBC Thunderbirds begin the 2023 Canada West season at Mosaic Stadium Friday night when they take on the Regina Rams in a rematch of last year's Hardy Cup semifinal.
Entering the new season as the co-favourites (along with the two-time defending champion Saskatchewan Huskies) to win the 2023 Hardy Cup, the 'Birds return the vast majority of last year's roster on both sides of the ball and appear poised to breakthrough, searching for their first conference title since 2015. But the proof is always in the pudding, and Friday night in Regina will be a significant test off the hop.
"We've seen enough of one another the last two-plus weeks and the fact we can compete against a strong rival has everyone excited. We understand we're facing a quality football program and in Canada West you have to be able to match your opponent's urgency, especially on the road," said UBC head coach
Blake Nill, now in his ninth season with the blue and gold. "Going into Regina, there are few places that are as tough to succeed in as Mosaic Stadium. You have a program that has the culture of tough, hard-nosed football and a very good coaching staff has them well-prepared. This is going to be a big challenge for this UBC program."
Nearly the entirety of the T-Birds' offence is back for 2023, including third-year quarterback
Garrett Rooker who returns from a potentially career-threatening injury last October. Fellow Texan pivot
Derek Engel is also back, giving Nill and offensive coordinator Stevenson Bone a battle-tested tandem under centre.
"
Garrett Rooker has faced the biggest challenge probably of his life rehabbing from that injury and has done an incredible job," Nill said. "He's worked extensively with our sport science department, strength coach
Joe McCullum and our athletic therapist Nate Wong deserves so much credit in where he's at right now. We're excited to see him back, we just feel he's one of the top quarterbacks in the country and when he's on the field we have a chance against everyone."
But even with Rooker healthy, the Rams will have to be prepared to face either he or Engel as Nill has yet to commit to a week one starter.
"Engel got starting reps through the playoffs, so he's played in some big games. He had all the starting reps in spring football, and had three quarters of starting reps through training camp. You can just see his confidence and effectiveness on the field. Right now, we still haven't totally confirmed who we feel is the right decision to go with and we'll let it play out for a day or two before we have to make a decision."
On the defensive side of the ball, the main questions are who steps up to replace two prominent defensive linemen in
Lake Korte-Moore and
Luke Burton-Krahn, both of whom are now in the CFL ranks.
Overall, however, the T-Birds are older, more experienced, and more mature. And perhaps most importantly, they're eager to prove themselves.
"We've had a number of our athletes come back to the program where they could have turned pro and moved on in their lives and they've come back for a reason so there's been more of a business-like approach. There's a little bit higher expectation and I think because of that we're at a different level than we were at last year. But, it doesn't matter what you think, it's what the scoreboard says at the end of every game."
The last time UBC and Regina battled, that scoreboard read 28-14 in the Thunderbirds' favour, punching the blue and gold's ticket to their first Hardy Cup appearance in five years. UBC has won three of their last four meetings with the Rams and the 'Birds also have a four game win streak in Regina.
Kickoff for the 2023 season at Mosaic Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m. PT Friday. The game will be streamed live on
Canada West TV.
