Vancouver Sun

Thunderbir­ds stun host Regina

Defending Vanier Cup champs set to face Calgary in Hardy Cup final

- HOWARD TSUMURA

The pass-happy world of Canadian university football had one of its most significan­t moments occur this season when Regina Rams quarterbac­k Noah Picton establishe­d our country’s all-time single-season collegiate passing mark with 3,714 yards over eight regular-season games

Consider that for a second, as well as the Rams’ perfect 4-0 home record in the Canada West regular season, their No. 4 national ranking and the fact that they would be playing the final game in the history of Taylor Field to open the playoffs.

OK, that might not be a team you want to face in the opening round of the playoffs, especially if they’ve already beaten you twice this season.

None of that, however, seemed to have the UBC Thunderbir­ds all aflutter.

After backing into the playoffs carrying all of the momentum that a two-game losing streak and a sub-.500 record can offer, all the defending Vanier Cup champs did Saturday was build a 26-point second-half lead, hunker down and get out of Regina with what had to be a considered a stunning 40-34 upset win.

Now, it’s on to Calgary this Saturday for a repeat of last season’s Hardy Cup championsh­ip final.

Calgary punched its ticket Saturday with a 47-17 win over visiting Saskatchew­an.

The Birds’ much-maligned offence, led by the near-400 passing yards of quarterbac­k Michael O’Connor, played perhaps their most efficient game of the season, with a balanced attack through the air and along the ground, all keyed by the maturity of their offensive line.

“Michael had an incredible game but the kid is a leader,” said UBC head coach Blake Nill. “But what we’re seeing is an emergence in the confidence of the offensive line and the run game, so I have got to throw some bouquets in their direction, too.”

And speaking of balance, O’Connor was simply masterful in spreading the ball around, showcasing the depth of a receiv- ing core many thought was the best in the nation at the start of the season.

The Penn State transfer, who went 29-of-40 for 397 yards and two touchdowns against just one intercepti­on, completed at least four passes to five different receivers, with every UBC receiver on the day averaging at least 11 yards-per-catch. Picton passed for 364, exactly 100 below his season average.

“It was nothing fancy,” said O’Connor. “We just executed and when we do, this is what happens. For me, it’s not so much about throwing to certain receivers. The coverage tells you where to go and I trust every one of them. Today, they all stepped up.”

FIELD HOCKEY

Goals by Rachel Donohoe and Sarah Keglowitsc­h in the overtime shootout carried UBC to a 2-1 win over Victoria in the McCrae Cup U Sports national championsh­ip final in Toronto on Sunday.

The game was tied 1-1 after regulation. Victoria had opened the scoring in the 49th minute on a tally by Amanda Kurianowic­z but UBC’s Gabby Jayme was quick to answer with a 61st minute equalizer.

The victory gave the Birds six straight national titles and 18 in their program’s history. It also gave UBC, the nation’s most decorated varsity program, its 102nd overall national title.

SOCCER

The UBC men’s team, which lost to the host Alberta Golden Bears on penalty kicks in Sunday’s Canada West championsh­ip final in Edmonton, are off the national championsh­ip tournament, Nov. 10-13 at Guelph. UBC punched its ticket there with a 3-1 win over Calgary in the semifinals, getting goals from Titouan Chopin, Manpal Brar and Zach Verhoven.

On the women’s side, Trinity Western and UBC finished in the top two at the conference tournament in Langley and both earned trips to the national championsh­ips, Nov. 10-13 at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S.

 ??  ?? Regina Rams quarterbac­k Noah Picton and UBC pivot Michael O’Connor pay some post-game respects after the Thunderbir­ds’ 40-34 win Saturday.
Regina Rams quarterbac­k Noah Picton and UBC pivot Michael O’Connor pay some post-game respects after the Thunderbir­ds’ 40-34 win Saturday.

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