Article content

No one is better at shocking the nation in their opening week of play than the UBC Thunderbirds football team.

The ‘Birds did it last year when they traveled to Quebec City and stunned the CIS powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or 41-16 en route to winning the Vanier Cup national title.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Vanier Cup champion UBC Thunderbirds crushed in exhibition by Manitoba Bisons Back to video

On Friday, the Blue-and-Gold did it again, only this time around, in an entirely different and unexpected way.

In what was the first CIS game ever played on Vancouver Island, the ‘Birds were gutted 50-7 by the visiting Manitoba Bisons in a contest so thoroughly dominated by the Winnipegers that UBC trailed 34-0 at the half and then elected to keep quarterback Michael O’Connor on the bench for the entire second half.

Coming in, UBC had won eight straight games dating back to last season, and they all counted, unlike Friday’s affair.

But if you’re ready to give the ‘Birds a mulligan, be forewarned because losing the way that UBC lost, just a week before the start of the Canada West season (Sept. 3 vs. Alberta) is cause for all manner of alarm.