The #8 Manitoba Bisons Football team looked to suffer the same fate as last week when they lost a last minute heartbreaker to Saskatchewan at home but instead broke the hearts of the hosts UBC Thunderbirds with a winning touchdown with 1:01 left in the fourth quarter and rallied for a 36-32 road win on Saturday, September 14 at Thunderbirds Stadium. With the win, Manitoba moved to 2-1 while UBC dropped to 1-2 in the young 2013 Canada West season.

In front of a rousing 3,614 fans at Homecoming weekend at UBC, the T-Birds stormed to a 32-15 lead with only 8:39 left in the game and then the Bisons responded.

The potent Bison offence that had averaged just under 50 points in the first two conference games had been stymied for the majority of the game. Manitoba held a slim 12-4 halftime lead but saw it evaporate on two fumbles and numerous two-and-outs in the third as UBC scored three consecutive touchdowns. 

The Herd finally started up the high-octane offence when quarterback Jordan Yantz engineered a nine play, 91 yard drive in only 2:47 and culminated with a slotback Nic Demski 18 yard receiving TD with only 5:46 left on the clock. 

The Bisons did not panic. After the defence forced a two-and-out, they took the ball with four minutes left and Yantz found running back Anthony Coombs for a 11 yard TD after a quick two minute, 10 play and 76 yard drive.

With all the momentum, the visitors stopped UBC on the next possession and found themselves on UBC 53 yard line with 1:25 left. All it took was three plays. Yantz found Demski again over the middle for the winning 28 yard score to finish off the improbable comeback on the road.

"In my career, maybe the greatest comeback in Bison Football history. All three units did not panic when the 'money was on the line' and super proud of the fight and togetherness of this team," said Brian Dobie head coach of Manitoba in his 18th season.

In the win, Yantz ended up with 23-44 for 322 yards and 3 TDs and 1 INT while Coombs contributed on the ground with 20 attempts for 140 yards and added four catches for 35 yards and 1 TD. Demski bounced back from a late first half injury to register 10 receptions for 152 yards and 2 TDs while Andrew Smith also had five grabs for 84 yards. Andrew Barry dove for a 1 yard TD and Nick Boyd was 2-2 in FGs and 46 yard punt average.

Manitoba's next game is against the defending Canada West champion Calgary Dinos on the road on Friday, September 20 at 7 p.m. CT.

By Chris Zuk – Bison Sports