Rams, Thunderbirds clash in 89th BioSteel Hardy Cup

Nov. 13, 2026 - The top two rushing attacks in Canada West will take centre stage Saturday as the UBC Thunderbirds and Regina Rams meet for the 89th BioSteel Hardy Cup, with the conference championship on the line at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PCT, with the game streaming live on CanadaWest.TV – Powered by BioSteel. Fans in Saskatchewan can also watch on SaskTel maxTV as part of the Canada West Football Showcase.

While both teams are more than capable of attacking through the air, the ground game has been a driving force behind their trips to the championship. Regina led the conference during the regular season with an average of 198.6 rushing yards per game, while UBC ranked second at 164.8. The Thunderbirds also paced Canada West with 15 rushing touchdowns, compared to 10 for the Rams, setting the stage for a championship matchup featuring two of the conference's most productive ground games.

While Saturday will mark the first time the programs have met in the Canada West football championship game, the two conference rivals are certainly familiar with one another after two hard-fought regular-season battles. UBC claimed both contests by five points or fewer, opening the season series with a 25-20 victory in Vancouver on Sept. 18 before earning a 21-17 comeback win at Leibel Field in Regina on Oct. 23.

Despite those results, the Rams will have an opportunity to turn the tables with a championship on the line, while UBC looks to capture its first Hardy Cup title since 2023.

Regina is making its third consecutive BioSteel Hardy Cup appearance, with the previous two coming against Saskatchewan. The Rams captured their second-ever title in 2024 before narrowly falling to the Huskies last year.

The Rams have taken anything but a straightforward path back to the title game this season, starting strong before needing a victory in their regular-season finale just to clinch a playoff spot.

"It's been a roller coaster season," says Rams head coach Mark McConkey. "It reminds me of our 2024 season where we started 2-0, lost five straight, but then got to the playoffs and ended up winning it all. We're hoping history repeats itself but we know we have a big challenge ahead."

McConkey says a constant commitment to getting better throughout the season is something his coaching staff has preached to the players, a philosophy modelled after the success of UBC head coach Blake Nill.

"One thing I admire about Blake and his programs is they get better as the year goes on. That's something we talked about in the beginning of training camp. We want to be playing our best football at the end of the year. I think we're playing some really good football right now and we're excited to be back in the championship game."

The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, finished atop the Canada West standings with a 6-2 record, earning home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. In semifinal action last Saturday, UBC survived a strong challenge from the Manitoba Bisons, earning a 30-23 victory at Thunderbird Stadium. After surrendering a 10-point lead in the second half, the Thunderbirds reclaimed the advantage on a 53-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Josh Martin before freshman defensive back Tahliek Louis sealed the win with a late interception.

"We're very happy to be playing in this game again. A lot of hard work went through the entire season," says Nill, who was named the conference's Coach of the Year on Thursday. "Initially, I don't think a lot of people expected us to be here at this point. I was confident we had it in this team, but I didn't realize what level we'd be at. We were able to win some big games and now we're here."

"Right now, we're focusing on trying to achieve success on the field come Saturday and continue to work and prepare for this game."

Regina punched its ticket to the championship game with a convincing 39-27 road victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon. The Rams forced six turnovers, received three touchdown passes from quarterback Owen Sieben and rode a 139-yard rushing performance from Carter Ashman to eliminate the second-seeded Huskies.

The two semifinal victories showcased the contrasting strengths of this year's BioSteel Hardy Cup combatants. UBC demonstrated its offensive versatility and ability to make big plays in critical moments, while Regina's opportunistic defence and balanced offensive attack proved decisive against Saskatchewan.

"Regina knows us very well, we know them very well," says Nill. "Even both games last year were tight. The one game Regina pulled away late in the fourth quarter, but all the games were very competitive and that's the way it's going to be this weekend. We're going to have to stop the run and deal with a very dynamic defence that knows one speed and we're preparing to do that."

Players to Watch

The Thunderbirds enter the championship game with one of the conference's most productive passing attacks, led by second-year quarterback Drew Viotto. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., product threw for 369 yards and a touchdown in the semifinal victory over Manitoba, completing 22 of 30 attempts while spreading the ball around to nine different receivers.

UBC also features a versatile rushing attack, led by rookie sensation Marvyn Larozar, who topped U SPORTS in numerous rushing categories despite missing the final game of the regular season. Veteran Riley Michaud and rookie Josh Martin each recorded 81 rushing yards and a touchdown in the semifinal against the Bisons. Combined, their ability to complement Viotto's passing game will be an important factor against a Regina defence that has demonstrated an ability to create turnovers.

For the Rams, Ashman has emerged as a key component of the offence, delivering one of his strongest performances of the season in the semifinal victory over the Huskies. His 139 rushing yards against Saskatchewan, highlighted by a 63-yard touchdown run, was key to establishing the Rams' offensive rhythm.

Quarterback Owen Sieben also played a key role, completing 14 of 26 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns. The third-year pivot connected with Nicholas Sirleaf, Adley Mayala and Michael Eagle Bear for scores as Regina built a commanding first-half lead.

Defensively, the Rams will look to carry the momentum from a six-turnover performance against Saskatchewan into Saturday's championship. Regina's ability to pressure Viotto, disrupt UBC's offensive rhythm and capitalize on mistakes could prove pivotal in what should be a tight matchup.

An energetic crowd is expected at UBC's Thunderbird Stadium, and home field advantage could come into play. The Thunderbirds have gone 5-0 on home turf this season, outscoring opponents 191-95 through the five contests. Regina went 2-2 on the road in the regular season, before their semifinal win in hostile territory in Saskatoon.

The Thunderbirds are seeking their 17th Hardy Cup championship, while the Rams are aiming for their third title since joining Canada West in 1999.

The winner of the 89th BioSteel Hardy Cup will advance to the U SPORTS Uteck Bowl on Nov. 21, where they will face the RSEQ champion for a berth in the 61st Vanier Cup.

A Look Back: 20 Years of the Hardy Cup