After one of the best comebacks in program history, the No. 4 ranked Manitoba Bisons (3-0) football team will look to keep momentum rolling in Week 4 as they take on the unranked UBC Thunderbirds (1-2).

Kick-off at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver is at 3 p.m. CDT on Saturday, October 23. Fans can watch the game on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.

The Bisons come in after a "measuring stick" win over the defending Vanier Cup champion Calgary Dinos, which came in shocking fashion. Trailing 20-5 heading into the fourth quarter, Manitoba scored 23 unanswered points in the final frame to win 28-20. The rally began with a Stefan Conway interception deep in Calgary's own territory, which got the Bisons in great scoring position for one of the first times all game. Conway — who also had six tackles, a pass breakup, and a sack — was named the Canada West Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

Now 3-0 for the first time since their national championship season in 2007, the Bisons are rallying around their first-year quarterback (third year in the program) Jackson Tachinski. Once again, the Vincent Massey Trojans product showed his dual threat capabilities in the win over Calgary. Despite starting cold, Tachinski ended up 13-for-29 for 140 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception through the air, while rushing eight times for 49 yards on the ground.

Tachinski's steadiness behind centre has allowed Manitoba's other areas of expertise to grab headlines. The Herd's committee of rushers, which includes their quarterback, are averaging 175.0 yards on the ground through three games — good for sixth in U SPORTS. This includes 50.0 yards per game for second-year Michael Ritchott, 38.7 yards per game for fourth-year Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette, and 25.0 yards per game from first-year Breydon Stubbs — the latter leading the team versus Calgary with his last-minute rushing touchdown.

UBC, meanwhile, comes into Saturday's game with some momentum after their first win of the season — a come-from-behind affair against the Regina Rams. A great example of the parity that Canada West football has to offer, the Thunderbirds — similar to the Bisons — came back from a 23-0 fourth quarter deficit to beat the Rams on the road in overtime.

The Thunderbirds boast the nation's fourth-best offence, averaging 488.3 yards per game. Their aerial attack, led by first-year quarterback Garrett Rooker, is third in U SPORTS; the rookie pivot has thrown for 330.3 yards per game while completing 69.8 percent of his passes. The matchup between Rooker's arm and the Bisons secondary, which has allowed just 223.7 yards per game through the air, will be critical to Saturday's matchup.

After this week, the Bisons return home for a matchup with the No. 6 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies (2-1). That game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 30 at IG Field. Before the game, the team will honour their graduating players.

View the full Week 4 game notes.

MATCHUP HEADLINES

• A week after breaking with recent history with a win over Calgary, just their second win in ten tries, the Bisons will look for their second straight victory over UBC. Their 37-19 win during the 2019 season snapped an eight-game losing skid to the T-Birds dating back to 2014. Manitoba has not won at Thunderbird Stadium since September 14, 2013.

HOOFPRINTS: MANITOBA BISONS (3-0)

LAST WEEK: W 28-20, Oct. 16 vs. Calgary
NEXT WEEK: vs. Saskatchewan, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. CDT

• Tribute to Scott: Before the game last week, Bisons football celebrated the life of receivers coach Scott Naujoks, who passed away in late September at just 29 years old. The team will be wearing Scott's initials on their helmets for the remainder of the 2021 season.
• Return Game: Manitoba has continued to rise the U SPORTS ranks when it comes to their return game. Now averaging 12.5 yards per punt return, the Bisons lead the nation. Fourth-year Gavin Cobb and second-year Marcel Arruda-Welch have shared punt return duties, totalling 150 and 149 yards, respectively.

HOOFPRINTS: UBC THUNDERBIRDS (1-2)

LAST WEEK: W 31-30 (OT), Oct. 16 at Regina
NEXT WEEK: at Calgary, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. PT

• Secondary Issues: While their offence has been elite, UBC has struggled containing their opponent's passing game. The Thunderbirds have given up 329.3 passing yards per game and both their losses, to Alberta and Saskatchewan, have seen them give up at least 43 points.