Simon Fraser Clan head coach Thomas Ford knows his team will have to tighten up its tackling this coming weekend at home against nationally-ranked Central Washington. On Saturday, host South Dakota School of Mines scored early and often en route to a 52-28 win over the Clan. (File photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
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Hardrockers rumble past Clan, yet huge deficit slashed late by SFU rookie Seiber’s three TD passes

If there was an air of mystery to who the South Dakota School of Mines were as a football team, the Simon Fraser Clan found out the hard way against the Hardrockers on Saturday night in downtown Rapid City.

For so much of the second-half, the UBC Thunderbirds and Regina Rams battled in the trenches. But over the final three minutes, there were enough big plays for an entire game. (Photo courtesy Piper Sports Photography)
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UBC’s game-ending, 30-yard penalty gives Regina a chip-shot field goal victory as ‘Birds endure another walk-off loss

It’s too bad the football gods won’t implement a quota for the number of walk-off losses a Canada West football team must be forced to endure over a pre-determined span of time, because with any kind of reasonable number, the UBC Thunderbirds wouldn’t have to worry about getting their hearts ripped out for quite a […]

There is no question what kind of an impact UBC's Marcus Davis could have this Friday in Regina in a potential return from last season's ACL injury. Here, Davis is shown grinding out some hard yards against those very Rams. (Photo by Glen McMurchy, Regina athletics)
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UBC at Regina: Injured ‘Birds vets Cummings, Pinto, Griffiths, Davis could all return Friday, but so too must blue-and-gold heartbeat

VANCOUVER — Want to know the location of the quietest place in Vancouver this past Sunday morning? Try the UBC Thunderbirds’ football film room.

Simon Fraser Clan freshman receiver Robert Meadors has been a bright spot in the team's 1-1 start to the 2018 season. (Photo by Brad McLeod property of SFU athletics)
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TSUMURA on Simon Fraser football: 5 things to follow inside the numbers after the Clan fall big at Azusa Pacific

The re-boot of Simon Fraser football continued Saturday night in Glendora, Cal., and as their competition took a huge spike up in quality form a week ago, the Clan’s margin of defeat may have, on first glance, taken its faithful back to that dark and familiar place.

The UBC Thunderbirds suffered a major setback in their season following a 57-7 loss in Calgary to the Dinos. (Photo by David Moll property of Dinos Digital Media
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After UBC’s 57-7 loss at Calgary, ‘Birds coach Nill says “Let’s be honest, we were intimidated on the field…”

The most lopsided loss of the Blake Nill era at UBC was so decisive that its head coach and sole architect couldn’t help but ask some pretty heavy questions.

After UBC's RB-1 Ben Cummings went down with an injury, back-up Kory Nagata answered the call by scoring two touchdowns in the 'Birds season-opening 30-20 win over Manitoba. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Offensive guard Scott Maki (79) hoists receiver Devin O'Hea after the former Argyle Pipers standout from North Vancouver made a highlight reel end zone catch from freshman quarterback Justin Seiber in the Clan's 54-7 win Saturday at home to the Willamette Bearcats. (Photo by Brad McLeod property of Simon Fraser athletics)
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TSUMURA: My Top 5 takeaways from a Simon Fraser Clan football victory that snaps an epic 33-game losing streak

BURNABY — No, the 1,265 fans in attendance did not rush the field and topple the goal posts Saturday afternoon at Terry Fox Field. Yet finally, there was joy in Mudville.

It's no stretch to say that the biggest game of new Simon Fraser running back Jason Nelson's career will be his first with the team as the Clan looks to snap a 33-game losing streak Saturday against visiting Willamette. (Photo by Brad McLeod property of SFU athletics)
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SFU’s Jason ‘Mini-Marshawn’ Nelson embraces the challenge: “Life ain’t easy. It’s going to hit you in the face no matter what. I’m ready.”

BURNABY — Jason Nelson is adamant about wanting to carve out his own identity, but as the new guy getting ready to take his share of hand-offs in the offensive backfield of the Simon Fraser Clan, he admits that embracing a snappy nickname which pays homage to an NFL great is never a bad thing.

Even during stationary drills, like this one last Thursday at Simon Fraser, Clan junior receiver Rysen John is the picture of focus. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
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Rysen John: Checking in on the rise of the Simon Fraser Clan’s charismatic junior wide receiver

BURNABY — He boasts a given name which, in the musical hands of a Sunday morning gospel choir, could come out sounding pretty darn inspirational. Rysen… Rysen… Rysen.