VANCOUVER –
Isaiah Knight had a career defining game with 187 rushing yards, another 26 receiving and two touchdowns as the UBC Thunderbirds earned a convincing 38-24 win over the Saskatchewan Huskies in front of a sold out Homecoming crowd Friday night.
It was a statement game for the defending Hardy Cup Champions who put up 529 yards of offence, led by fourth-year quarterback
Garrett Rooker who went 22-for-29 with 320 yards through the air.
Defensively, the 'Birds limited the run-heavy Huskies to just 105 yards on the ground while outscoring the visitors 17-7 in the second half.
"We still have a tendency to make it tough on ourselves. But I think what you saw was the potential of this offence and a defence that's becoming more comfortable," said UBC head coach
Blake Nill after his team's most complete effort of the season to improve to 2-2. "I think they're starting to feel it. We talk about it all the time, trusting your teammates and not let the film the next morning show that you weren't giving your all."
Knight's first of two majors on the night opened scoring just four minutes in, capping off a game opening drive with his third touchdown of the season on a 13-yard rush.
But it was the fourth-year running back's second score of the game that really got the sold out crowd on their feet. After forcing the Huskies to punt on their second-half opening drive, Rooker used the first play of UBC's ensuing drive to hand off the ball to Knight which turned into a 59-yard rush to the end zone, all the while dodging several desperation leaping tackle attempts by the Huskies. After
Kieran Flannery-Fleck's convert, the outstanding scoring play pushed the T-Birds ahead by two possessions at 28-17.
Saskatchewan continued to struggle to get their offence going to start the second half, punting on each of their first three possessions which in turn were answered by UBC scores each time.
Flannery-Fleck punched through a 33-yard field goal for increase UBC's lead to 31-17 followed up by a five minute, 89 yard drive that saw Rooker get the ball down to the Huskies 15-yard line after a 32-yard connection with
Mark Webb. At the three, Engel handed off to
Dane Kapler who scored his second rushing touchdown of the game.
All five of UBC's major scores came on the ground while the team amassed 209 total rushing yards.
Looking to dig out of a 38-17 hole, the Huskies were well into UBC territory when Mitch Townsend deflected an Amundrud pass that was then intercepted by Ches Rednour-Bruckman at the T-Birds' own 12-yard line.
The Huskies scored their first points since the second quarter midway through the fourth when Amundrud connected with Wiebe for a three yard touchdown – his second of the game – cutting UBC's lead to 14, where it would stay.
Just inside the three-minute warning,
William Hunter – who finished with a career-high 7.5 tackles – picked off Amundrud at the UBC 44, essentially putting the game on ice.
Despite the two interceptions, Amundrud finished the game an impressive 27-of-39 for 329 yards and a pair of touchdown tosses to Wiebe. For his part, Wiebe led all receivers with 150 yards.
Sam Davenport led all UBC receivers with 132 yards in a season-best performance.
Improving to 2-2 and tied with Alberta and Regina for a share of second in the Canada West standings, the 'Birds are certainly finding their groove after a rough 0-2 start to the season.
"We put together a pretty complete four quarters, and it was fun to just get the win here on Homecoming in front of the big crowd," said Rooker who surpassed 1100 yards on the season Friday night. "It was a very balanced game throughout. (Knight) played his tail off. When he's on his A-game it makes us pretty scary."
Securing their first home win of the season and now working on a two-game streak, the T-Birds will look to keep that train going when they hit the road to Calgary for a showdown with the Dinos next Saturday, September 28.
