VANCOUVER - Quarterback Julian Marchand passed for 358 yards and three touchdowns as the visiting Alberta Golden Bears downed UBC 36-28 Saturday afternoon at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver.

Golden Bears-T-Birds Game Stats

The two teams kept pace through the game’s early going, but when the Bears’ passing game started to click in the third quarter, the UBC defence didn’t have an answer. Alberta QB Julian Marchand paced the Golden Bears to 373 total passing yards and four touchdown passes.

One of the most impressive passing plays from U of A came in the third quarter when Marchand faked a hand-off to Matthew Jarvis before dishing to receiver Michael Wojcicki on the end around. The ‘Birds defence headed for Wojcicki, leaving Jess Valleau alone in the end zone. Wojcicki hit Valleau with a 15-yard receiver-to-receiver touchdown pass.

It was the first of three TD passes Alberta tallied in the third quarter to blow open what was a 15-14 lead for them at the half.

Another factor in the success of the Bears’ passing game was UBC’s failure to put pressure on Marchand. The ‘Birds finished with zero sacks, and rarely hurried the U of A quarterback.

However, UBC defensive back Chris Mark was a bright spot in the struggling secondary. Mark finished the day with two interceptions.

On the other side of the ball, T-Bird quarterback Billy Greene led the way for the Blue and Gold. Greene had 98 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown combined with 308 yards through the air and three passing touchdowns.

The UBC passing game did suffer long dry spells. Greene dumped two passes to running back Robert Giorno early on, but didn’t find a receiver until late in the second quarter when he hit Spencer Betts with a 27-yard touchdown pass to put UBC on the board.

Complete details at... gothunderbirds.ca

The T-Birds missed starting running back Dave Boyd, who went without a carry due to a hamstring injury. He is expected back for next week’s road game at Saskatchewan.