WINNIPEG – In a game with 99 combined points scored, the turning point was an on-side kick in the battle of two Canada West football team entering the game with identical 1-1 conference records. 

#10 UBC Thunderbirds prevailed in a thrilling and highly entertaining game as the Thunderbirds won 51-48 over the #7 Manitoba Bisons on Saturday, September 19 in front of 2,406 fans at the Investors Group Field.

At the start of the third quarter, only ahead 27-20, UBC executed a perfectly planned on-side kick and then only needed three plays to quickly score (21 yard TD run by Brandon Deschamps) and extend their lead to 14 points and re-capture the momentum. From there, the T-Birds scored again on their next drive for a three touchdown lead and held on as the Bisons mounted a spirited comeback but fell three points short. 

"I give credit to their kicker (third year Quinn van Gylswyk) as he made a great play on the on-side, " stated Bison head coach Brian Dobie after the home loss. "UBC played hard tonight…we're not there yet but I take away that it's a long way to go in the season and we can't lose sight on fighting for everything little thing."

This was not a defensive struggle as there was almost 1,100 yards combined were generated by both CIS Top 10 teams.

There were big offensive plays on both sides as Manitoba started the game with a 45 yard pass from QB Theo Deezar to rookie slotback Jesse Walker with only three minutes gone. From there, UBC countered with QB Michael O'Connor connecting on a 42 yard pass to receiver Alex Morrison and 31 yard pass to Will Watson while sandwiched in between for the visitors was a 103 yard kickoff return by Trivel Pinto – all in the first half. Deezar found rookie Jamel Lyles on a 21 yard pass just before the end of the second and that's when the special teams literally kicked in for UBC to take control of the game.

After Marcus Davis caught a 16 yard TD pass from O'Connor to move the lead to 41-20 with 8:03 left in the third, Manitoba responded with Deezar's 35 yard TD pass to running back Alex Christie to end the quarter. Deezar added a five yard run for a touchdown to start the fourth before another quick TD by O'Connor to Watson from 15 yards out and it only took three plays. The Bisons then drove 65 yards and scored on a one yard plunge by fullback Andrew Barry but the point after was blocked to remain behind 48-40 with only six minutes left.

On the ensuing drive, the Thunderbirds notched a crucial three points after a time consuming drive to push the advantage to a two possession contest and even though Manitoba rallied with a late TD pass from Deezar to Lyles, UBC recovered the home side on-side kick attempt and ran out the clock for the road victory.

This battle had a ton of offence stats as UBC finished with 473 total yards while Manitoba had 616. 

Individually, UBC was paced by O'Connor who went 26-38 for 398 passing yards with four TDs. Pinto had 210 all-purpose yards with 107 receiving yards from eight catches and the 103 kickoff TD while Morrison added 118 receiving yards, 1 TD on five grabs, Watson with 83 yards from four receptions and 2 TDs plus Davis had 44 yards on three catches and 1 TD. Deschamps churned up 83 rushing yards and 1 TD. Kicker van Gylswyk was strong as place kicker and punter. He angled balls all night on top of the successful on-side plus went 3-3 on field goals (longest 37) and had a 41.6 punting average. On defence, linebacker Terrell Davis finished with a game-high 10.0 total tackles (nine solo) with one sack.

Deezar had a career day at this level and record setting game for the Bisons. The second year pivot went 28-39 for 519 passing yards and 4 TDs while also running for 1 TD. The 519 passing yards sets a new Bison record and is the seventh most in conference history.

In addition for the Bisons, Alex Vitt had a game-high 161 receiving yards on five catches while Walker added 109 yards on six receptions and 1 TD. Lyles had 200 all-purpose yards with 88 receiving yards on five catches while 60 rushing yards and 52 return yards and two receiving TDs. There was nine different Bison receivers with at least one catch. Ryan Jones went 2-4 in FGs and averaged 36.7 in punting department. On defence, linebacker DJ Lalama had 7.5 total tackles and the team had three sacks.

In week four Canada West football action, UBC (2-1) faces Saskatchewan (1-2) on Friday, September 25 while Manitoba (1-2) will travel and play at Alberta (2-1) on Saturday, September 26.

Game Notes: Both teams will play again in the 2015 Canada West regular season when Manitoba plays at UBC on Saturday, October 31. Theo Deezar broke the existing Bison record for most passing yards in a game set by Jordan Yantz in 2013 (450 on Sept. 20 at Calgary) and tied the Bison mark for most completions in a game (Shane Munson – 28 on Sept. 22, 2000 at Calgary).