VANCOUVER --  Missing starting pivot Jackson Tachinski, and facing a surging ranked opponent made for the perfect storm, as the No. 8 UBC Thunderbirds topped the Manitoba Bisons 56-10 on Saturday afternoon at home. The win improves their record to 3-0. while Manitoba fell to 0-3. They haven't beaten UBC on the road since the 2013 season. 

Sawyer Thiessen started his second career game, throwing for 225 yards and a major on 15-24 passing, however he also tossed two picks. Overall, UBC scored 14 points on three Bisons interceptions, along with a fumble on a third down attempt. They won the turnover battle 4-1, and put up 609 yards of total offence, compared to 364 for the Bisons. 

The T-Birds scored on their second play from scrimmage on a 70-yard bomb down the left sideline to Jason Soriano, and didn't trail the rest of the way. They scored three different majors of more than 50 yards, including a 75-yard rushing touchdown from Isaiah Knight early in the second quarter. He had 135 yards on 12 carries. 

The Knight major was a back-breaker, as Manitoba had driven the field on long gains to De Shawn Le Jour, Brendt Adams and AK Gassama on the prior drive, resulting in a field goal. Just one play later, Knight found daylight for the touchdown. 

A bright spot for Manitoba was Adams, who had a team-leading four catches for 83 yards and a major. He is ninth in the conference after three weeks, with 173 yards receiving. 

FTB: There's a reason they call him Big play BA! Brendt Adams with a team-leading 83 yards in today's loss to UBC, along with this major. He's in the top ten in the conference, with 172 yards receiving. #HornsUp pic.twitter.com/mO5rwrY2nd

— Manitoba Bisons ?? (@umbisons) September 17, 2023

The Herd's next contest is Saturday at 2 pm, as they welcome 1-2 Regina for their annual homecoming game. Four of Manitoba's next five games are against the Rams and 0-3 Calgary, making for a thrilling battle for the final playoff spot in the conference.