UBC Thunderbirds, Regina Rams rejoin U Sports football rankings

Photo: Rich Lam/UBC Athletics

The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds are back on the national U Sports football rankings after a big win over the Calgary Dinos.

UBC scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter of Friday night’s game at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver and never looked back, winning 34-18. Rookie sensation Marvyn Larozar hit Trey Montour for a 90-yard touchdown pass on a trick play to start the game, setting the tone early.

Veteran quarterback Drew Viotto finished the contest 23-of-31 for 278 yards and one touchdown. Jack Pasloski was the defensive standout for the Thunderbirds, as he recorded 4.5 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.

The Thunderbirds now rank ninth in the nation, while the Regina Rams have rejoined the rankings in tenth place.

The Rams beat the lowly Alberta Golden Bears by a score of 43-17 on Thursday night at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Carter Ashman and Kaiden Banfield were dominant along the ground for the home side, combining for 44 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns behind a strong offensive line.

Owen Sieben also threw two touchdown passes in the win, hitting Nic Sirleaf and Kaleb Senz for the scores. Regina’s defence intercepted NCAA transfer Christian Veilleux three times.

The Guelph Gryphons and McGill Redbirds both fell off the rankings after losses this past weekend. The Gryphons fell 42-41 in a dramatic game against the Queen’s Gaels, while McGill lost 34-10 against the Laval Rouge et Or. Jerry Momo, McGill’s star running back, did not play due to injury.

There was no movement in the top eight spots of the rankings, save for the fact that the Saint Mary’s Huskies and Windsor Lancers are now tied at sixth. Previously, Windsor was sixth and Saint Mary’s was seventh.

Other teams that received votes but fell short of the rankings include Guelph, McGill, and Calgary.

1) Laval — 160 points (80 media/80 ELO)

2) Montreal — 142 points (70 media/72 ELO)

3) Saskatchewan — 124 points (60 media/64 ELO)

4) Queen’s — 107 points (51 media/56 ELO)

5) Western — 91 points (51 media/40 ELO)

T-6) Saint Mary’s — 72 points (24 media/48 ELO)

T-6) Windsor — 72 points (40 media/32 ELO)

8) McMaster — 52 points (28 media/24 ELO)

9) UBC — 34 points (18 media/16 ELO)

10) Regina — 13 points (5 media/8 ELO)

For a full recap of U Sports action this past week, click here.