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VANCOUVER – Back in the Hardy Cup for the first time since 2023, the UBC Thunderbirds are preparing for round three vs the Regina Rams on Saturday, November 14 – this time with a conference title on the line and the right to keep their season alive.
Having defeated the No. 9 ranked Rams twice during the regular season, the T-Birds know the past means nothing while a result at Thunderbird Stadium Saturday afternoon means everything in an opportunity to advance to the following week's Uteck Bowl.
"The history is history, going forward it's this Saturday that matters," said UBC head coach,
Blake Nill, who has led his Thunderbirds into a sixth Hardy Cup final during his tenure. "Regina knows us very well, we know them very well. Even both games last year were tight. The one game Regina pulled away late in the fourth quarter, but all the games were very competitive and that's the way it's going to be this weekend. We're going to have to stop the run and deal with a very dynamic defence that knows one speed and we're preparing to do that."
Both UBC victories over the Rams this season came by five points or fewer, most recently a 21-17 comeback victory in week seven at Regina's Leibel Field.
But as Nill says, the history – recent or otherwise – matters little. But what can count at this time of year is leaning on experience. While the T-Birds boss has hoisted nine Hardy Cup trophies, the bulk of UBC's roster is competing for their first.
Regina secured their third straight trip to the Hardy Cup Final with a 39-27 semifinal win over the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon last Saturday, led by running back Carter Ashman's 139 yard performance.
Stopping the run will be paramount for any success UBC will have in the Hardy Cup. After leading the regular season in run defence, the T-Birds allowed the Bisons to put up 197 in last week's 30-23 UBC semifinal victory.
Ball security will also need to be better for the blue and gold who managed to overcome five total turnovers vs Manitoba.
Perhaps nobody knows the possibilities for what can happen at this time of year in a conference as deep and unpredictable as the Canada West better than
Blake Nill. With the Rams ending Saskatchewan's season last week, this year's Hardy Cup will mark the fifth straight year of non-repeat victors.
"This league is always recognized as the most competitive, the most evenly matched and last week was just another example of why," said Nill. "There weren't any surprises that Manitoba had – they came in, we knew exactly what we were getting into, we knew exactly what they were capable of. We just played hard, as they did, and fortunately a few more breaks and a few more big plays came our way.
"With Regina, it'll be much the same, there are no surprises. You might fool a team on one or two plays, but there's nothing the programs don't know about one another, it's about dealing with circumstantial factors: the weather, injuries. The team that can rise to the top will be the team that probably makes a few more plays and a few less mistakes than the other."
Regina's biggest challenge will likely be limiting UBC's passing game. Winning Offensive Player of the Week with his 369 yard performance vs the Bisons,
Drew Viotto has risen to another level of late. In his last four games, the second-year pivot has averaged 292 passing yards with a 72.5% completion rate, racking up six touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Between the multi-back rushing threat of
Marvyn Larozar,
Riley Michaud and
Josh Martin combined with the bevy of talented receivers in the likes of
Trey Montour,
Kai Rednour-Bruckman and
Owen Herle, if the T-Birds can get on a roll early, the growing belief UBC already has in their locker room will only blossom.
"It's about understanding you have to will yourself, each and every play, to compete against the opponent to be better that play. I think my guys are starting to understand that. They're not looking around for someone else to do the job, I think they're starting to realize they have to take care of their own area and then are confident their teammate can take care of his. We've got athletes who have propelled us to this point in the season and we're going to rely on every athlete in the program, whatever your role is, to take us one week further."
Kickoff for the 89
th Biosteel Hardy Cup is 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 14 at Thunderbird Stadium.
Tickets for the final home game of 2026 for the blue and gold are on sale now!
