On Saturday, September 13 at University Stadium (University of Manitoba campus) in front of 4000 supporters, the UBC Thunderbirds spoiled the annual Homecoming Game by defeating the defending Vanier Cup champion Manitoba Bisons football team by a score of 28-0. With the UBC win, the Thunderbirds improve to 2-1 while the Herd suffer their second consecutive loss and fall to 1-2 during the 2008 campaign. This was the first win by UBC against Manitoba since 2004.

This is the first time that the Bisons have been shutout since Sept. 27, 1997 when UBC beat the Herd 32-0 in Manitoba. This was only the fifth time that the Bisons were shutout, since records were being kept from 1968.

It was a record breaking day for the T-Birds as both defensive end Scott McCuaig (Surrey, BC) and kicker Shawn McIsaac (Chilliwack, BC) etched their names into the Canada West record books. McCuaig had 4.5 tackles to lead the visitors but his two sacks were the record breakers as he now leads the conference in all-time sacks at 23. McIsaac was instrumental in the majority of the scoring as he went a perfect 7-7 (14, 14, 27, 27, 32, 33 and 33 yards) to tie the conference mark for most field goals in a single game (Matt Kellett, Saskatchewan Nov. 2/96).

The wind was a big factor as UBC took advantage by staking out an early 9-0 lead after the first, with the wind. The Thunderbirds stuffed the Bisons offence all day and the score remained 9-0 into halftime. In the second half, UBC rallied for a couple more field goals and led 15-0 heading to the final 15 minutes.

The highlight reel play that salted the victory for the Thunderbirds was when Spencer Betts (Surrey, BC) avoid numerous Bisons deep in his own zone and darted to the outside and out ran all Manitoba players for a stunning 98 yard punt return with seven minutes remaining in the fourth. McIsaac added two more three pointers for the final score.

UBC dominated the scoreboard and all the major stats of the game. UBC led 19-9 in first downs; 3-1 in sacks; 2-0 in forced fumbles; 141-60 in rushing yards; 190-116 in passing yards and total yards had a 323-157 advantage. The 157 total yards by the Bisons was the fourth lowest in team history.

For the T-Birds, QB Marc McVeigh (Langley, BC) was an efficient 18-31 and 190 yards while REC Blaine Kruger (Cochrane, AB) was the game leader with eight receptions for 85 yards. RB Cheng Wei (Calgary, AB) was the top rusher with an even 100 yards on 23 carries. For the Herd, QB John Makie (Regina, SK) was knocked out of the game and went 10-18 for only 85 yards while RB Matt Henry (Mississauga, ON) was stymied and had a mere 34 yards on 13 carries. WR Randy Simmons (Saginaw, MI) was team leader with seven catches for 65 yards and LB Kenton Onofrychuk (Winnipeg, MB) had a game-high 10.5 tackles (nine solo) with one sack.

Both teams play next week. UBC hosts Regina (0-2) on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m. PT while Manitoba travels to Alberta (1-2) to play the Golden Bears on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m. MT.