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Just three weeks ago, the season seemed lost for Thunderbirds football. Starting a bleak 0–2, they didn’t look anything like last year’s championship-level team. But after Saturday’s nail-biting 32–30 win over the University of Calgary Dinos, they have three straight wins and sole possession of second place in Canada West.
After an opening kick rouge by the Dinos, the ‘Birds methodically drove down the field. A mixture of short passes, screens and Isaiah Knight runs led to receiver Sam Davenport’s 10-yard touchdown on a creatively designed reverse, putting the T-Birds up 7–1 early.
The Dinos, however, answered quickly. Calgary slowly worked their way down the field into UBC territory — until they decided to go for it all. Although they had a receiver open in the end zone, Calgary quarterback Dom Britton barely overthrew his target, forcing the Dinos to settle for a field goal.
On their next drive, however, the Dinos wouldn’t be denied. Britton was accurate in his deep pass this time, despite a UBC blitz, for a 39-yard touchdown pass that put them up 11–7.
After conceding a safety, UBC built up momentum through their dominant run game, as well as opportune play-action passes to push back in front 18–13 just after halftime.
While Calgary mustered a field goal to cut the lead to two, UBC was still in charge. Finally opening up their passing attack with back-to-back long completions to slotback Dane Kapler, UBC marched down the field, capping their drive off with a Knight touchdown. Going into the fourth quarter, the ‘Birds held a commanding 25–16 lead.
Despite that huge lead, Calgary mounted a furious comeback in the final frame. After a strong kickoff return, the Dinos punched in a touchdown off a lightning-fast swing pass before a muffed kickoff by the ‘Birds immediately set up another score. In the blink of an eye, the Dinos had taken the lead, 30–25.
To their credit, the Thunderbirds didn’t let this late collapse phase them. After a quick field goal, the T-Birds retook the lead on their last drive of the game, with a 41-yard Knight run setting up another late field goal that stood as the game-winner.
While they need to work on closing out games, the T-Birds have to be pleased with the turnaround they’ve experienced. That progress will be tested on Friday in Edmonton, as the ‘Birds face the team that handed them their first loss of the season — the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
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