TORONTO, ON – After being winless through five games this U SPORTS season, the University of Calgary Dinos stunned the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds β who had lost just one game in six weeks β 20-6 in Calgary on Saturday afternoon. This was UBCβs lowest-scoring game since 2018.
Leading 20-0 in the fourth quarter, the Dinos kept the Thunderbirds off the scoresheet until the final minute of the game when UBC finally found its way to the endzone with 18 seconds remaining. Calgaryβs defence recorded three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.
With UBCβs loss, the University of Alberta Golden Bears moved into first place in Canada West after their 23-20 win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. In the final minute, Alberta running back Matthew Peterson rushed for a final three yards of his 168 on the day to get to Saskatchewanβs 25-yard line.
The Golden Bears called a timeout with a second remaining so kicker Jonathan Giustini could kick the game-winning field goal and wave goodbye to the Huskies sideline in celebration.
The University of Manitoba Bisons kept their playoff hopes alive this weekend with a 41-34 victory over the University of Regina Rams. Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski had a season-high 332 passing yards to go along with two touchdowns. Manitoba kicker Maya Turner also set a career-best 48-yard field goal and notched 15 points.
READ MORE | Inside Maya Turner’s journey to rewriting the U SPORTS history books
Montreal shuts out Laval
The University of Montreal Carabins swept their regular season series against the defending Vanier Cup champions on Saturday, shutting out the Laval University Rouge et or 28-0. Montrealβs defence overwhelmed Lavalβs offence all game, sacking quarterback Arnaud Desjardins five times and forced two turnovers.
The Concordia University Stingers improved to 500 ball over the weekend when they rolled the winless Sherbrooke University Vert et Or 39-7. Concordia backup quarterback Adrien Guay, despite only making two big plays, was arguably the highlight of the game with his 139 rushing yards on just two rushes β 90-yard and 49-yard touchdown runs to start the game.
The Stingers defence was also strong, forcing three turnovers, including two fumble recoveries.
Carleton mounts comeback in Waterloo
Down 30-10 with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Carleton University Ravens started the largest comeback of the season.
The Ravens scored 20 unanswered points, beginning with Kaseem Ferdinandβs touchdown catch with 3:06 remaining in the third frame. With the game tied at 30-30 in the final second of game time, Carleton kicker Brandon Forcier missed a field goal, but it was strong enough to force the ball out the back of the endzone to earn a game-winning rouge point.
The Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks continued their undefeated streak in a 40-7 rout of the OUA third-place University of Windsor Lancers, marking their first time going 7-0 since their Vanier Cup 2005 season. Laurier quarterback threw for over 300 yards for the fourth time this season while the Golden Hawks defence recorded three turnovers.
The Western University Mustangs maintained their No. 1 spot in U SPORTS football this week with a 66-24 thumping of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. After being up just 11-10 near halftime, Western scored 21 points in less than two minutes to extend their lead. Western quarterback Evan Hillock recorded 333 passing yards and two touchdowns, and the Mustangs defence earned four turnovers, including intercepting Toronto quarterback Scott Barnett three times.
The Queenβs University Gaels and University of Ottawa Gee-Gees also notched wins this week. Queenβs had a close game against the University of Guelph Gryphons, winning 24-17, while Ottawa downed the McMaster University Marauders 23-9.
St FX one step closer to third consecutive undefeated regular season
The St Francis Xavier University X-Men blew out the Mount Allison University Mounties 52-7 in their Homecoming game on Saturday. With one game remaining in the regular season, the X-Men are one win away from their third straight undefeated regular season.
St FX quarterback Silas Fagnan threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns, but threw one interception. X-Men running back Malcolm Bussey had 157 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground while receiver Zachary Houde caught six passes for 161 yards and a score. St FXβs defence was stout, limiting Mount Allison to just 183 total yards and forced four turnovers, including three interceptions.
The Saint Maryβs University Huskies earned their second win of the season against the 1-6 Acadia University Axemen 33-18 on Friday night.
Huskies running back Aβdre Simmonds was the highlight for Saint Maryβs, rushing for 142 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. The Huskies defence only allowed 181 yards.