CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos football team (1-3) will close the home portion of its schedule Saturday, hosting the UBC Thunderbirds (2-2) in a pivotal battle in the Canada West standings.
Kick off from McMahon Stadium is set for 2 p.m., with coverage on CanadaWest.tv, presented by Co-op.
HEADLINES
- Saturday will mark the 104th all-time meeting between the Dinos and Thunderbirds, with Calgary owning a 62-39-2 edge in the win column.
- The two teams faced off twice during the 2019 season, with Calgary winning both contests (47-13 at UBC; 36-17 at Calgary).
- The Dinos have won 31 of the last 34 in the series with UBC, including the last nine in a row.
- Calgary finds itself amid an incredibly rare three-game skid – something that hasn't happened since 2007.
- Despite the 1-3 record, Calgary still finds itself in the U SPORTS rankings once again this week, checking in at No. 10.
- UBC will be looking to extend its run of impressive play, after taking down both seventh-ranked Regina, 31-30, and fourth-ranked Manitoba, 26-24, in each of its last two performances.
- Calgary and UBC both will be vying for one of the four playoff berths from Canada West. At 2-2, the Thunderbirds are currently tied for third, while the Dinos sit just behind in fifth place at 1-3.
- Saturday's contest will showcase two of the most high-powered offences in all of U SPORTS, with Calgary ranking second in the nation with 509.0 yards/game, and UBC ranking fourth in that category at 465.5 yards/game.
No. 10 CALGARY DINOS (1-3)
Last week: lost to Alberta, 36-30
Next week: at No. 5 Saskatchewan
- After spotting Alberta the first 19 points in Sunday's home loss, the Dinos offence roared to life with 26-unanswered points – 24 of which came in the second quarter – only to the Bears respond with 17 of the next 20 points to fall to 1-3.
- Senior quarterback Josiah Joseph completed 26 of his 34 attempts Sunday for 248 yards and one touchdown and still ranks third nationally, averaging 305.8 yards/game. Joseph also ran for two scores against the Bears, the first touchdowns he has accounted for on the ground this season.
- Calgary will once again look to get the Philpot brothers going this week. After being held relatively in check two weeks ago against Manitoba, the duo combined for 19 total touches and 202 total yards, both on the ground and through the air. Entering this Saturday's game, the brothers still rank No. 1 (Jalen – 117.5) and No. 3 (Tyson – 106.0) in the country in terms of receiving yards per game.
- Linebacker Daniel Flanagan continues to be everywhere for the Dinos, leading the team in both tackles and tackles-for-loss through their first four games.
- Next weekend, the Dinos will close out the 2021 regular season with a trip to Saskatchewan. Calgary took down the Huskies, 34-20, in the season opener for both teams back on Sept. 25 at McMahon Stadium.
UBC Thunderbirds (2-2)
Last week: beat No. 4 Manitoba, 26-24
Next week: host Alberta
- The last two weeks have seen a pair of exciting upsets by the Thunderbirds. UBC first stormed back from a 23-0 deficit for a 31-30 overtime win over then seventh-ranked Regina before another fourth-quarter comeback last weekend against No. 4 Manitoba for a 26-24 win.
- Fifth-year wide receiver Trey Kellogg scored a career-high three touchdowns in the upset win over Manitoba.
- First-year quarterback Garrett Rooker is averaging 284.0 yards/game passing and has thrown for six touchdowns so far this season to go with his three rushing TDs.
- Defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore has been the clear leader of the Thunderbird defence so far this season, leading the team in total tackles (12.5), tackles for loss (four) and sacks (two).
- The Thunderbirds close out the regular season at home, hosting Alberta next Saturday.
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