2011 CIS Football Team Preview: UBC Thunderbirds

Source: Ben Schach, UBC Sports Info

2010 regular season record: 2-6
2010 regular season standings: T-5 in Canada West
2010 playoff record: 0-0
2010 playoff finish:  0-0

With the Vanier Cup being hosted in their backyard in 2011, the UBC Thunderbirds are eager to kick-start their second campaign under head coach and former UBC quarterback Shawn Olson. Last year, the T-Birds finished with a 2-6 record in the Canada West, highlighted by their week two road victory over the then no. 2 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies. The T-Birds return nine starters on offence in 2011, including fourth-year quarterback Billy Greene and senior running back Dave Boyd. Fourth-year defensive linemen Serge Kaminsky anchors the 2011 UBC Defence that has been retooled with freshmen recruits, standout CJFLers and CIS transfers.

Quote from head coach:

“Our players have consistently made good choices throughout the off-season, choosing to work hard both in the gym and on the field. I am excited to see the results of their hard work.” Shawn Olson

Head Coach: Shawn Olson

Shawn Olson heads into his second full season with the UBC Thunderbirds. Olson, who quarterbacked UBC to the 1997 Vanier Cup title during his five-year T-Bird Career (1996-2000), took over the program in the spring of 2010.  The Surrey, BC native is the 17th head coach of the UBC football program.

During his playing time with the Thunderbirds, Olson led the Birds to a 30-17-1 record and finished with 65 total touchdowns and close to 1000 yards in passing. After graduating from UBC he continued his playing career in Europe with the Austria Vikings, guiding them to back-to-back Euro Bowls in 2004 and 2005. He made his return to the CIS as the SFU Clan’s offensive coordinator from 2007-2009.  

- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2011): 2
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2011): 2
- Career regular season record with team: 2-6
- Career regular season record in CIS: 2-6
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 2-6
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 2-6 

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters: 9

Key returning players:

Billy Greene, 4th Year QB, - Greene returns for his fourth year with the T-Birds and will build of an outstanding 2010 season which saw him finish third in the Canada West with 269.6 passing yards per game. Along with throwing for nine touchdowns, Greene also finished first in the conference for rushing yards by a quarterback, scrambling for 70.5 yards-per-game and four rushing touchdowns. His 340.1 yards per game topped the league last season. He participated in the 2011 East West Bowl in London this spring.

Spencer Betts 4th year WR – Betts also returns for his 4th year with the T-Birds. In 2010, Betts caught 32 passes for 520 yards and four touchdowns. He finished among the league’s top 10 in each of those categories.

Dave Boyd, 5th Year RB – The T-Birds main threat out of the backfield is coming off an injury shortened 2010 season that limited him to just one game. In 2009, Boyd rushed for over 700 yards and was named a Canada West All-star.

Kelly Kurisu, 3rd Year OL – Kurisu returns for his 3rd year of manning the right tackle spot on the T-Birds offensive line.

Jordan Grieve, 4th Year WR – Grieve enters his 4th year with the T-Birds after hauling in 25 passes for 435 yards last season.

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers): 
 
Patrick Sullivan, OL – Sullivan comes to the Point Grey campus after manning the right tackle position for Queen’s University over the last 2 years, including their 2009 Vanier Cup winning season. He will likely suit up in the left tackle spot for the Thunderbirds in 2011.

Sam Adu, RB -  Adu was the leading rusher in the CJFL last season for the Victoria Rebels. Adu brings a combination of speed and elusiveness to the Thunderbirds backfield. He should make an impact as a change of pace running back and a return man.

Alex Bulcke OL- The Windsor, Ont. native was one of the nation’s top offensive linemen prospects.  In 2010, he helped lead the Ontario Varsity Football League Essex Ravens to an undefeated season. Bulcke is the brother of San Fransisco 49ers defensive end Brian Bulcke.

Key losses:

Cody Husband, LT – A mainstay on the T-Birds offensive line over the last four seasons, Husband turned pro in 2011 after he signed a deal as an undrafted free agent with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Marc McVeigh, WR – A starter at the receiver position in 2010, McVeigh will miss 2011 with an injury.

Dan Gabrillo, RG – The Thunderbirds starter at right guard last season, Gabrillo will also sit out 2011 with a back injury.

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 6

Key returning players:

Serge Kaminsky, DL 4th Year – The heart and soul of the T-Birds Defence in 2010, Kaminsky enters his fourth year with the blue and gold fresh off being named a 2010 CIS second-team All-Canadian. He collected 23 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks, at his tackle position last season

Devin Kavanagh, LB 4th Year – The fourth-year T-Birds linebacker is coming off a stellar 2010 campaign that saw him add captain duties to his tireless work rate on defence.

Sam Carino CB, 5th Year - A Canada West All-star the past two seasons, Carino racked up 27 tackles and chipped in with two interceptions in 2010.

Chris Mark CB 5th Year – The other half of the Birds dynamic senior cornerbacks, Mark was a playmaker on the Thunderbird defence in 2010 leading the team with four interceptions.

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

Adam Konar DB/LB - Son of former UBC Thunderbird and BC Lion great Kevin Konar, Adam was one of the top high school football players in the province in 2010. The versatile defensive stalwart was instrumental in leading the Vancouver College Fighting Irish to the AAA Provincial High School Championship.

Cam Canales, CB – The starting quarterback for the Terry Fox Ravens in 2010 and one of province’s top offence playmakers, Canales comes to UBC looking to make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball.

Vivie Bojilov, LB – Transfers to the UBC campus after spending last season red-shirting with the SFU Clan. In 2009, Bojiloy was named BC’s Defensive MVP in high school football with the New Westminster Hyacks. Bojiloy brings speed, athleticism and aggressiveness to the Thunderbirds linebacker core.

Ben Bahrami, LB – Returns to the west coast after spending two years playing for the Western Mustangs. The graduate of West Vancouver High School was named BC’s Defensive MVP back in 2007.
 
Key losses:

Nathan Kanya LB – After playing out his eligibility with the Thunderbirds, the Congo native signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as an undrafted free agent.

Josh Williams, DT – Graduated; disruptive presence on the defensive line but missed a lot of 2010 with injuries.

Mark Bailey, LB – Graduated; led UBC in tackles during the 2010 season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players:

Billy Pavlopoulous, K – The T-Birds third-year kicker slotted 66.7%  (12-18) of his field goal attempts in 2010, with a long of 48 yards, and went a perfect 15-for-15 on PAT’s.  Finished second in the league with a 39.9 yards per punt average.

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

Vivie Bojilov, LB
Adam Konar. DB/LB
Cam Canales, CB – The speedster should see some action returning kicks in 2011.

Key losses:

Nathan Kanya, LB