Alexander Hillyard’s 31 yard field goal in overtime lifted the UBC Thunderbirds to a 31-29 win over the Regina Rams on Friday afternoon. The win secured a playoff berth for UBC. Rams running back Marshall Erichsen entered the game just over 30 yards shy of the school rushing record of 938 set by Neal Hughes (2003) and matched by Adrian Charles (2010). By game’s end, the journeyman running back had rambled for 88 to become the first in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards on the ground. Erichsen also scored his 11th touchdown of the season in the contest to move him into top spot in regular season touchdowns by a Ram. Regina scored on their opening drive with a 10-play, 71 yard drive capped off by a one yard plunge from back-up quarterback Noah Pelletier. Before the half, starting pivot Owen Sieben connected with tight end Rylan Sokul who dove over a defender and into the end zone to increase the lead to 16-3. The Thunderbirds closed the gap to 17-13 in the third quarter before linebacker-turned-fullback Alex Gagnon secured his first ever Canada West touchdown on a six-yard reception from Sieben. UBC scored with just 1:35 on the clock when speedy wide receiver Shermar McBean scored on a 22-yard strike to cap off a 10-play 75 yard major. The Thunderbirds executed a perfect onside kick on the ensuing kick-off to get the ball back. T-birds quarterback Drew Viotto found Trey Montour who eluded a trio of tackles to scamper 22-yards to the end zone to bring the visitors within two. Viotto connected with Montour on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 28. The U of R began the extra session with the football. Owen Sieben’s drive stalled and the usually reliable Ty Gorniak moved in to kick the field goal but the ball sailed wide of the uprights and through the end zone for a rouge to put the Rams ahead by one. On the ensuing UBC possession, the Blake Nil led squad moved into position to kick a field goal of their own and connected for a walk-off victory. The University of Regina Rams will now face the University of Manitoba Bisons on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Mosaic Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time. The 88th Hardy Cup will be played on Saturday, November 8th at a time and date yet to be determined.
