In a Canada West video shot right before last year's Vanier Cup, UBC football head coach Blake Nill once described the T-Birds' 2015/16 season as one that “defied logic.”
Almost a year down the road, with the 6-2 season record and their Vanier Cup victory last year, it is the hope of every player, coach and supporter of T-Bird football that the team can repeat as national champions.
“We want to compete for the same prize and I think there are a lot of things that are in our hands to be able to do that,” said Nill, who took over as head coach last year.
The 2016/17 season will see the return of key offensive line players like quarterback Michael O’Connor, tailback Marcus Davis and receiver Alex Morrison. Last year, O’Connor — then a freshman — was the main source of offensive firepower for the T-Birds, averaging 304.5 yards per game and scoring 23 touchdowns.
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“We’re going to have to stay on the field as an offense and limit the turnovers… but we’re up for the challenge,” said O’Connor.
On top of the individual talent that the returning players bring to the field, Nill states that these players also bring a strong element of team cohesion, which he sees as being another key asset.
“I’ve had a number of comments of how the football team looks in good shape, how [the players] are trying to… mingle in on campus. I really want that from our players,” said Nill.
Even with the talent from the returning players, the ‘Birds do have gaps to fill. Key defensive line players like defensive back Taylor Loffler and linebackers Terrell Davis and Mitch Barnett will not be returning. UBC is also losing kicker Quinn van Gylswyck on special teams and running back Brandon Deschamps on offense.
Still, Nill doesn’t see the absence of these players as being entirely a disadvantage.
“We are going to miss some guys, especially on defence, but what that does is it creates opportunity and the ability for young kids to step up,” said Nill.
There will also be a handful of new recruits joining the T-Birds this season, including offensive lineman Ryan Von Ende of North Delta Secondary.
“[UBC] won last year and I want to be a part of that this year,” said Von Ende. “To make the travel roster would be a huge goal of mine, but to win the Vanier would just be incredible.”
According to David Sidoo — a defensive back on UBC’s 1982 national championship win and the director of the 13th Man Foundation — UBC again placed in the top three for recruiting of all CIS football teams this year. He believes that the Thunderbird recruits will play a strong role in bolstering the team’s performance this season.
“He got a lot of athletes, filled a lot of holes,” said Sidoo about Nill. “We lost some really strong defensive players. I think coach Nill has brought in some really good defensive players,”
Sidoo also said that the 13th Man Foundation hopes to “build on the momentum [of UBC football] from last year” by getting more alumni involvement and raising capital.
On August 26, the T-Birds played an exhibition game in Langford, B.C., against the Manitoba Bisons, losing 50-7. They will return to Thunderbird Stadium on September 3 to host the Alberta Golden Bears for the first regular season game.
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