VANCOUVER – The Calgary Dinos turned the ball over four times and missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired in a 23-22 loss to UBC Friday night from Thunderbird Stadium.
In front of a hostile homecoming crowd of 5,000 fans, the Dinos led 10-7 at the break and the defence came up big multiple times, but a late turnover gave the Thunderbirds a short field goal to take a one-point lead with 1:37 left and Calgary couldn't connect on its game-winning field goal attempt in the close loss.
Both teams move to 2-2 following the result.
The T-Birds were first on the board, capitalizing on a Dinos' turnover that gave UBC the ball at the 1-yard line. Rookie quarterback Drew Viotto ran the ball in on the next play to give the homecoming crowd something to cheer about early.
But it was mostly Dinos the rest of the first half.
Jibreel Yahaya scored his first collegiate touchdown with 4:05 to play in the second quarter to tie things up. After forcing a turnover on the ensuing kickoff, Calgary nearly made it two scores in two minutes, but a fumble at the goal line gave UBC the ball back.
Vince Triumbari added a field goal to give the Dinos a 10-7 lead at the break.
Calgary's kicker added another field goal on the opening drive of the second half to give the Dinos a 13-7 lead, but UBC immediately answered back with a five play, 75-yard drive to take a 14-13 lead early in the third.
It was a defensively battle until late, with UBC conceding a safety late in the third to give Calgary a 15-14 edge.
Zion Grant finally got the offence going with an impressive individual effort with 5:19 left in regulation. The rookie receiver caught a bubble screen and slipped a number of tackles, tip-toed the sideline and finished off a 37-yard catch and run in what was the highlight of the year so far to make it a 22-14 game.
The T-Birds responded with a three-yard run by Toluwalope Ayedegbe, but their two-point conversion failed as the Dinos' led 22-20 with 2:11 left.
But an interception by Darrien Brown on the next play from scrimmage gave UBC the ball at the 13 yard line.
Crown Otoro and
Steen Rasmussen teamed up for a sack and
Gideon Agyei had one of his three pass breakups to hold UBC to a field goal and a one-point lead with 1:37 to play.
Calgary moved the ball down to the 32 yard line on its final possession, but the field goal attempt was no good and Jaden Phillips successfully returned the ball out from deep in his own end zone to secure the big win for the T-Birds.
David Jordan finished the game going 21-32 for 287 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Grant was the leading receiver on the night with 139 yards and a score on six catches, while
Trey Loupelle made a big mark on this game and finished with a game-high seven catches for a career-best 80 yards.
The Dinos limited both UBC QB's to just 16-26 passing for just 143 yards and no scores.
Defensively, Otoro finished the night with 1.5 sacks, while
Liam Reid and
Ben Haden each also took down the quarterback in the backfield.
Everett Schmuland led all Dinos with 11 tackles, while
Ben Dobson and Osasare Odemwingie each finished with eight.
Up next, the Dinos return home for their lone home game over a five-week span when they host Saskatchewan from McMahon Stadium Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.
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