Ab Sch After getting off to a flying start this season, the Bears football team has hit a stumbling block to the tune of three consecutive losses, dropping their record to 2-3.
Their opponents, the UBC Thunderbirds, came out firing on a cold afternoon on Saturday, racking up an 18-0 lead after the first quarter, and entered the half up 21-7.
Head coach Chris Morris said his team was really in tough after a slow start.
“It’s too bad we just didn’t have a little more today,” Morris said. “We were flat at the beginning, we really didn’t give ourselves a chance to play.”
UBC quarterback Michael O’Connor was at the centre of the Bears woes on Saturday, completing 21 of 32 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, benefitting from excellent pass protection from his offensive line.
On the Bears side of things, rookie quarterback Ben Kopczynski left the game with an apparent injury in the second quarter after being on the receiving end of a horse collar tackle from a UBC defender. His status is unknown for the Bears next game, although he will have the benefit of the Thanksgiving bye week in order to heal.
Fellow rookie Brad Baker made his CIS debut in Kopczynski’s absence, and promptly shoveled a pass to running back Ed Ilnicki for a six-yard touchdown that got the Bears on the board before the half ended.
Overall, Baker completed 20 of 33 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite the loss, he was happy to get some game time.
“It felt good to take some snaps,” Baker said. “I’m an emotional player, and I was really excited to get in (the game).”
The Bears were able to muster a bit more offence in the second half, but it was too little too late, as UBC was able to ride their 18 point first quarter to the 39-21 victory.
Ilnicki had another workman-like performance for the Bears, rushing for 92 yards on 18 carries, while also tallying a receiving touchdown. Jimmy Ralph lead the receiving core with 70 yards on eight catches, to go along with a touchdown.
The Bears will face UBC again on the road on Saturday, Oct 17.
