Despite their impressive second-half heroics, UBC football fell 37–20 to the University of Regina Rams at home on Friday, dropping the Thunderbirds to 1–2 on the season. On the heels of a 51–14 blowout loss to Saskatchewan, this defeat mires the team in more frustration, albeit of a different kind. Where the Huskies game had spiralled out of control for UBC, the ‘Birds had been painfully close to a comeback against Regina.
Still, after last week’s debacle, it’s somewhat heartening to see that the Thunderbirds can hang with a team of Regina’s caliber. The reigning Canada West champion Rams entered the week ranked sixth in the nation, having scored over 40 points in each of their first 2 games. Meanwhile, the ‘Birds have been struggling to compensate for the loss of several key players, including all-stars Isaiah Knight at running back and Garrett Rooker at quarterback.
Issues at the quarterback position became apparent last week when first-time starter Drew Viotto was subbed out for fifth-year Derek Engel in the fourth quarter. Engel remained the starter against Regina, with Viotto coming in for select third-down and goal line plays — similarly to how Engel was employed while serving as Rooker’s backup.
“I’m trying not to get into a quarterback controversy,” said UBC head coach Blake Nill. “I didn’t want to throw Drew to the wolves right away. Regina can be a very difficult defence to play against, given their pressure.”
With Engel at quarterback, the offence initially looked steadier than it had in Saskatchewan, stringing together an eight-play drive to start the match-up. In the absence of Knight, the T-Birds went to second-year running back Caleb Yang, who had only 11 rushes in his rookie season. While they were forced to settle for a field goal, the score was a positive change for the ‘Birds — it was the first time this year that they managed to bag points on their opening possession.
On defence, however, the T-Birds struggled to make stops, allowing consecutive first downs on Regina’s first four offensive snaps. The Rams clearly outmatched UBC on the ground, with much of their gains coming via their running game or from yards-after-catch. Regina’s Marshall Erichsen out-rushed UBC’s entire offence in the first quarter, gaining 51 yards to UBC’s 16 to fuel a 5-minute scoring drive and put the Rams up 7–3.
The Rams continued to pull away throughout the half. While UBC struggled to enter the red zone, Regina opened the second quarter with a successful field goal.
In response, Engel completed three consecutive passes on the following drive before attempting a deep shot to a covered Shemar McBean near the Rams’ goal line. The veteran receiver leapt for the ball but could not haul it in, leaving Regina’s Liam Platt to make the interception. A touchdown on the ensuing possession extended Regina’s lead to 17–3.
With six minutes left in the half, the UBC offence finally began making headway. Engel repeatedly connected with McBean and second-year wideout Trey Montour for UBC’s longest possession of the quarter — though the ‘Birds again settled for a field goal. Yang also contributed to the drive and would be credited with nine rushing attempts on the day — the most of his UBC career — before exiting the third quarter with an injury.
After a second Regina field goal, UBC entered halftime down 20–6. Even facing a two-score deficit, the Thunderbirds were ready for a comeback.
“I think everybody just came out [of halftime] more comfortable,” said Engel. “Settling into the game was a big thing.”
To start the half, UBC forced a quick two-and-out on defence, then quickly struck on offence as Engel delivered an impressive 62-yard touchdown pass to McBean, putting the ‘Birds within one score.
Determined to maintain the lead, the Rams responded with a march down the field, converting two third downs to keep their drive alive. Leaning heavily on Erichsen, Regina managed to eat over five minutes of clock before adding three to their score.
Unfazed, the Thunderbirds found the end zone again, with Viotto coming out to throw a touchdown pass on first-and-goal. At 23–20, it was anybody’s game.
The game would remain tight through the end of the third and into the fourth, when Regina’s Noah Pelletier completed a 44-yard touchdown pass to put the Rams up 30–20.
Down two scores with less than eight minutes remaining, it was imperative that UBC score on the ensuing drive. The offence seemed up to the task — Engel lobbed up a 40-yard deep ball for McBean, who twisted to make the catch, putting the ‘Birds on Regina’s 2-yard line. The momentum was shifting in favour of the Thunderbirds.
Then, Engel took a sack, pushing UBC back eight yards. On the next play, he did the one thing he couldn’t do — looking for McBean, he threw straight to Regina’s Liam LaBelle.
Engel’s interception all but killed UBC’s momentum. On the resulting drive, the Rams ran steadily down the field, capping off the possession with a short touchdown run by Erichsen. Getting the ball back with 6 seconds and a 37–20 deficit, the ‘Birds’ hopes of a comeback were dashed.
After the match, Engel took responsibility for the loss. Despite the end-of-game interception, Engel still sees himself as the starting quarterback.
“I think my leadership, [with] me being here [for] four years, [with] the way I play — I think, yeah, I see myself in that light,” he said.
While he avoided a committal answer, Nill hinted that Engel will continue to start moving forward.
“I don’t want to get into the back-and-forth stuff,” said Nill. “I’ve made the change and maybe I’ve got to stick with it.”
However, it won’t matter who is at QB for the ‘Birds if UBC continues to struggle on the ground — on both sides of the ball. UBC’s defence has proven to be weak against the run, allowing Erichsen to accumulate 196 rushing yards — more than doubling UBC’s 85. On offence, the ‘Birds seem to be favouring Yang and fourth-year Toluwalope Ayedegbe at running back, but so far, neither has been able to fill the hole left by Knight.
There were some upsides on Friday, especially at wideout — Montour continues to look promising, while McBean showed out with 158 receiving yards. However, it’s evident that UBC has struggled to replace Knight and Rooker.
“We’re having challenges running the football, we’re having challenges with our quarterback play to an extent,” said Nill. “We’re not the same team, but that doesn’t mean we can’t put it together.”
The Thunderbirds will attempt to avoid a third straight defeat at this Friday’s Homecoming game, where they’ll take on the University of Calgary Dinos — winners of two straight — at 6 p.m. in Thunderbird Stadium.
