The University of New Brunswick Red Bombers lost to the Dalhousie University Tigers in a close home opener football game on Sept. 22.
The game started off with the Tigers quickly picking up momentum and making a 20 yard run. It eventually led to them scoring a touchdown seven minutes into the game. Their extra point kick was good, making the score 7-0 for them.
UNB was off to a sloppy start, fumbling the ball but managing to recover. Dal’s momentum continued as they made good passes and runs. They attempted a field goal, but the kick went wide. However, they were able to score a safety giving them an 8-0 lead.
Dal’s momentum continued in the second quarter and they made a hard push but were unable to score early on.
Both teams had good runs and UNB’s quarterback Greg Brown made some good passes.
Dal was able to score another touch down 10 minutes into the second quarter and with an extra point kick they brought their lead up to 15 points.
They kicked a field goal with less than two minutes in the half raising their lead again by three points.
UNB’s Marcus Urquhart managed to score a field goal with less than a minute left in the half, making the score 18-3.
Dal started off strong, scoring a touchdown two minutes into the second half. Their kick was good making their lead 25-3.
The Red Bombers made a good pass and run, which put them within scoring distance. UNB’s Dylan Waugh scored a touchdown and Urquhart got the extra point making the score 27-10 for Dal with five minutes left in the quarter.
UNB made a short kick on the kick-off allowing themselves to catch the ball and keep possession.
Brown then made another pass to Micah Hesman scoring a touchdown just a minute and a half later. Urquhart’s kick was good bringing the score to 27-17.
With another short kick, they kept possession.
Brown continued to make solid passes and got them back into scoring distance. Waugh was able to score again, and with Urquhart’s kick, UNB closed the gap to just three points making the score 27-24 for Dal with two minutes left in the quarter.
They continued to make short kicks and kept possession again.
With another hard push, Jake McKay caught a pass and was able to bring the Red Bombers into the 5-yard line at the end of the third quarter.
Dal, however, was able to hold them, earning the turnover at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
After a long struggle, McKay scored a touchdown. With the extra point, UNB took the lead 31-27 with less than five minutes left in the game.
They attempted another short kick, but the Tigers were quick to jump and get the ball.
Dal made some good plays and managed to get down to the five yard line with less than three minutes left in the game. They scored a touchdown with less than two minutes left in the game.
With the extra point they took the lead again 34-31, and would then go on to win the game.
Head coach Dan McCullough was impressed with the team’s efforts in the second half.
“Last week, [Dalhousie] had one hell of a third quarter and this week the football gods were favouring us,” said McCullough.
“We had a pretty good third quarter. We made some halftime adjustments, our quarterback threw the ball down field very well and we had some guys making some good catches and great plays after the catch. It’s amazing what happens when playmakers make plays.”
