Tommy Yanchuk, the former Edmonton Huskies pivot, has been named UBC's starting quarterback ahead of the Thunderbirds' season-opening conference clash Saturday night at home against the Regina Rams. (Photo by Gord Mellor property of Gord Mellor Photography 2019. All Rights Reserved)
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UBC names its new starting quarterback: Big-armed Tommy Yanchuk gets the nod as ‘Birds open season Saturday at home to Regina

VANCOUVER — The UBC Thunderbirds have settled their training camp battle at quarterback.Tommy Yanchuk, a 20-year-old who last season played with the Canadian Junior Football League’s Edmonton Huskies, will command the offence Saturday (7 p.m., Canada West TV) when the ‘Birds open the post-Michael O’Connor era by hosting the Regina Rams at Thunderbird Stadium in […]

Gabe Olivares is back with the UBC Thunderbirds after taking a season away. The former G.W. Graham Grizzlies star is part of a five-man battle to win the team's starting quarterback job this fall. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics 2019. All Rights Reserved)
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Who is UBC’s next starting quarterback? Five pivots form preliminary pecking order as the Michael O’Connor era comes to an end

LANGLEY — UBC football fans knew the Michael O’Connor era was officially over early last month when the Toronto Argonauts made him the second-highest selected Canadian quarterback in draft history.

On Thursday, Michael O'Connor found out his CFL home will be in Toronto. On Friday, he goes to NFL rookie mini-camp with the Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
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Michael O’Connor: UBC’s humble superstar pivot finds a CFL home with Argos, takes to field with NFL’s Seattle Seahawks on Friday

VANCOUVER — Michael O’Connor wasn’t afraid of taking a road less traveled to achieve his dream of becoming a professional quarterback, and now more than ever, you can see the purpose in his steps.

Carson Graham head coach Brian Brady will coach his Eagles in a Subway Bowl playoff game Saturday atop Burnaby Mountan, while his teammates from the Clan's 2003 Hardy Cup-winning season are set to be honoured. (Photo by Blair Shier property of www.blair.photo)
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Subway Bowl karma: Carson coach Brady has Eagles opening playoffs Saturday at SFU as his 2003 Clan team is set to be honoured

NORTH VANCOUVER — Brian Brady always knew it was going to be a little dicey in terms of the timing from the moment he heard that he and the rest of his 2003 Simon Fraser Clan football teammates were going to be honoured during the team’s final GNAC game of the season this Saturday atop […]

UBC's All-Canadian safety Stavros Katsantonis played his usual hard-hitting game, here tackling Saskatchewan's Tyler Chow. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
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Football ‘Birds unravel late in Hardy Cup semi final loss, coach Nill knows UBC “…is going to be a totally different team next year”

VANCOUVER — When it comes to advancing to the Canada West’s Hardy Cup conference championship, it’s almost felt like the UBC Thunderbirds have been protected by some sort of invisible force field since head coach Blake Nill rolled into town back in 2015.And with just over a minute left in the conference semifinal Saturday, with […]

UBC Thunderbirds quarterback Michael O'Connor hands the ball off agains the Manitoba Bisons', Saturday, October 27, 2018. (Trevor Hagan / Manitoba Bisons)
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UBC football: After falling behind by 21 on two occasions, miracle comeback carries ‘Birds past Bisons and to home playoff date

The only way the football gods could have spelled things out any simpler for the UBC Thunderbirds on the final weekend of the Canada West regular season would have been for them to grab a crayon and write the three key words in big, bold lettering.‘Just Win, Baby’Just win and their rise from last place […]

(Photo by Bob Frid property of UBC athletics) (Photo by Bob Frid property of UBC athletics)
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Mike and Trivel: UBC’s dynamic duo of O’Connor and Pinto forge pure magic as ‘Birds top Alberta to secure playoff berth

VANCOUVER — Over the four seasons in which they have turned home games on the Point Grey campus into appointment viewing, the UBC Thunderbirds football team’s national success has introduced a wave of star players to the growing fan base of the blue-and-gold.

The formerly-winless Alberta Golden Bears managed to hold off the UBC Thunderbirds Friday in Edmonton as the 'Birds dropped into last place in the Canada West. (Photo property of Cara Creatives supplied by University of Alberta athletics)
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The mystery of UBC football: Following Friday’s loss at Alberta, where has the Thunderbirds’ magic gone?

As quickly as a sweater can unravel, so too, it seems, can a national championship-contending football team’s much-hyped Canada West campaign.

UBC's Trivel Pinto was more than ready to shoulder a heavy loud, carrying a Calgary Dinos' defender across the goal line Saturday at the stadium as part of a 43-yard touchdown catch. (Photo by Bob Frid property of UBC athletics)
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UBC football: In its darkest hours yet, on the tails of another defeat to Dinos, veteran ‘Birds say team’s resolve won’t be wasted

VANCOUVER — Michael O’Connor was standing along the Thunderbird Stadium sidelines on a post-game Saturday night, far from the emptying grandstand which just moments earlier had some 9,534 fans on the edge of their seats.

The most productive receiver in all of B.C. high school football, Handsworth's Keelan White said Saturday that he's headed to play for the UBC Thunderbirds next season. (Photo by Blair Shier property of www.Blair.photo)
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A grand entrance to the blue-and gold! Handsworth star Keelan White picks UBC Thunderbirds at halftime of Homecoming Saturday

VANCOUVER — One of B.C.’s most explosive high school football talents announced Saturday that he is ready to make the green, green grass of Thunderbird Stadium his football home for up to the next five seasons.Handsworth Royals’ wide receiver Keelan White announced at halftime of the UBC Thunderbirds’ annual Homecoming Game against the arch-rival Calgary […]