FB: Fourth quarter comeback spurs overtime win for T-Birds
October 16, 2021
REGINA, Sask. - The No. 7-ranked University of Regina Rams took a 23-0 lead into the fourth quarter, but a wild comeback by UBC sent the game to overtime and a successful two-point conversion in the extra session gave the visiting Thunderbirds a 31-30 victory on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
After both teams had scored touchdowns on their opening possessions in overtime, UBC went for the two-point conversion and the win. Thunderbirds quarterback Garrett Rooker dropped back and hit Trey Kellogg right at the goal line to seal the victory and complete the comeback for UBC.
Just a few minutes earlier, the Rams had a chance to win the game on the final play in regulation. A great catch by Kyler Mosley helped Regina get into position for a 49-yard field goal, but Aldo Galvan's kick was wide left.
The win was UBC's first of the season as the Thunderbirds were coming off losses to both Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Canada West standings now feature a four-way knot at 1-2 which includes both UBC and Regina along with Calgary and Alberta.
UBC's fourth-quarter surge saw the Thunderbirds score touchdowns on three consecutive possessions. It all started with a 60-yard run by Isaiah Knight that set up a one-yard Dane Kapler run to get UBC on the board. UBC's next drive was highlighted by a 33-yard completion to Kellogg and finished off by a one-yard plunge by Rooker, and an interception on the ensuing Rams drive gave UBC the ball in Regina territory. Rooker found Edgerrin Williams from 16 yards out for UBC's third touchdown, then tied the game after the mobile quarterback ran it in for a two-point conversion.
The Rams scored all 23 of their points in the first half, all off balls delivered by Josh Donnelly. Riley Boersma, Kyle Borsa, and D'Sean Mimbs all caught touchdowns in the opening two quarters, and those along with a conceded UBC safety put the Rams up 23-0 at halftime.
Rooker ended up completing 31 of his 47 passes for 335 yards with Williams (11 catches for 131 yards) as his top target. Knight finished as the game's leading rusher with 20 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown. Keijaun Johnson had the fourth-quarter interception for UBC, while Lake Korte-Moore had a solo sack and Ryan Baker and Natale Frangione combined for another one.
Donnelly finished with a total of 341 passing yards, evenly distributed among six players who all had multiple catches for the Rams. Boersma had team highs in both receptions (5) and receiving yards (95) while Regina's defence was led by Jackson Sombach. The second-year halfback had his first career interception and also knocked down two other passes for the Rams. Anthony Bennett collected Regina's lone sack.
UBC will close out the conference schedule against Manitoba, Calgary, and Alberta with two of those games - including next Saturday against the Bisons - at home.
After playing twice in a row at home, the Rams now have two consecutive away games. They'll play Saskatchewan next weekend (Oct. 23) and Alberta after that (Oct. 30) before closing out Canada West play at home against Manitoba (Nov. 6).
After both teams had scored touchdowns on their opening possessions in overtime, UBC went for the two-point conversion and the win. Thunderbirds quarterback Garrett Rooker dropped back and hit Trey Kellogg right at the goal line to seal the victory and complete the comeback for UBC.
Just a few minutes earlier, the Rams had a chance to win the game on the final play in regulation. A great catch by Kyler Mosley helped Regina get into position for a 49-yard field goal, but Aldo Galvan's kick was wide left.
The win was UBC's first of the season as the Thunderbirds were coming off losses to both Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Canada West standings now feature a four-way knot at 1-2 which includes both UBC and Regina along with Calgary and Alberta.
UBC's fourth-quarter surge saw the Thunderbirds score touchdowns on three consecutive possessions. It all started with a 60-yard run by Isaiah Knight that set up a one-yard Dane Kapler run to get UBC on the board. UBC's next drive was highlighted by a 33-yard completion to Kellogg and finished off by a one-yard plunge by Rooker, and an interception on the ensuing Rams drive gave UBC the ball in Regina territory. Rooker found Edgerrin Williams from 16 yards out for UBC's third touchdown, then tied the game after the mobile quarterback ran it in for a two-point conversion.
The Rams scored all 23 of their points in the first half, all off balls delivered by Josh Donnelly. Riley Boersma, Kyle Borsa, and D'Sean Mimbs all caught touchdowns in the opening two quarters, and those along with a conceded UBC safety put the Rams up 23-0 at halftime.
Rooker ended up completing 31 of his 47 passes for 335 yards with Williams (11 catches for 131 yards) as his top target. Knight finished as the game's leading rusher with 20 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown. Keijaun Johnson had the fourth-quarter interception for UBC, while Lake Korte-Moore had a solo sack and Ryan Baker and Natale Frangione combined for another one.
Donnelly finished with a total of 341 passing yards, evenly distributed among six players who all had multiple catches for the Rams. Boersma had team highs in both receptions (5) and receiving yards (95) while Regina's defence was led by Jackson Sombach. The second-year halfback had his first career interception and also knocked down two other passes for the Rams. Anthony Bennett collected Regina's lone sack.
UBC will close out the conference schedule against Manitoba, Calgary, and Alberta with two of those games - including next Saturday against the Bisons - at home.
After playing twice in a row at home, the Rams now have two consecutive away games. They'll play Saskatchewan next weekend (Oct. 23) and Alberta after that (Oct. 30) before closing out Canada West play at home against Manitoba (Nov. 6).