WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons battled through difficult weather conditions and turned in a determined defensive effort, but fell 31-6 to the UBC Thunderbirds on Homecoming Weekend at Princess Auto Stadium.
Playing in steady rain for much of the afternoon, the Bisons found themselves locked in a field-position battle against a UBC team that entered the contest with a 2-1 record. Despite the loss, Manitoba's defense delivered several momentum-shifting plays and kept competing throughout the game.
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring with a first-quarter safety before Manitoba produced the game's first major defensive highlight. Linebacker Dario Macchia intercepted UBC quarterback Drew Viotto and returned the ball 28 yards to the UBC 35-yard line, giving the Bisons prime field position. Manitoba was unable to convert the opportunity into points, however, as the visitors maintained their 2-0 lead after the opening quarter.
A pivotal second quarter saw UBC take control. The Thunderbirds marched 85 yards on an eight-play drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Marvyn Larozar. Later in the quarter, Viotto connected with Owen Herle on a 35-yard touchdown pass before finding Trey Montour for a 17-yard scoring strike in the final minute of the half, helping UBC build a 25-2 advantage at the break.
One of Manitoba's biggest defensive plays came in the first quarter when Marcus Wahl forced a fumble at the Manitoba six-yard line that was recovered by Alex Klenk, preventing a likely UBC scoring opportunity.
The Bisons continued to battle after halftime, pinning UBC deep in its own territory on multiple occasions. Their pressure paid off late in the third quarter when the Thunderbirds conceded a safety to make the score 28-4. Manitoba added another safety midway through the fourth quarter after forcing UBC backwards from its own 15-yard line, trimming the deficit to 31-6.
Manitoba's best offensive drive came in the fourth quarter. Starting from its own 35-yard line, the Bisons marched 66 yards on 12 plays behind the rushing of Cole Anseeuw, Aidan Wiberg and Amid Kanu. Consecutive completions to Mikun Odunuga moved Manitoba inside the UBC 10-yard line, but an interception by Isaiah Thomas in the end zone ended the threat with just over two minutes remaining.
"We couldn't get anything going on offense, and any time there was an inkling of it, we'd take a penalty," said Bisons head coach Stan Pierre. "Our execution has not been great, but our discipline is, quite frankly, embarrassing. I'm not sure what the answer is for this group to learn that those things can't happen against a good football team. They're very good and very talented, and we have to play our best. You see the field position battle and our defense is holding the fort, holding the fort. Then they get a short field, make one play and they're right there. It's not sustainable. We have to start winning some of those wins."
"Honestly, we expected a lot more. We just need to be better," said linebacker Nic Pereira. "It was unacceptable. Defense, offense, special teams, everybody. Offense was moving the ball, and we let them score 28 points in the first half. We held them to three points in the second half, but overall we just need to be better. Whether that comes with our preparation during the week, practice, whatever we're doing, we need to be better. It was unacceptable, especially at home."
Wiberg led the Bisons' ground attack with 77 rushing yards, while Odunuga paced Manitoba receivers with four catches for 74 yards. Anseeuw threw for 104 yards and added 23 rushing yards.
Defensively, Pereira recorded a game-high 11 tackles. Macchia added five tackles and an interception, while Destiny Okedara, Lamar Goods and Carter Dallas each recorded six tackles. Manitoba also finished with three safeties, including one in each of the final three quarters.
The loss dropped the Bisons to 2-2 on the season. The Bisons now kick off a road stand in Alberta on Friday. You can catch the action on Canada West TV. The team will return home for their final regular season game on Oct. 31. Tickets are available here.
