Athlete of the Week: Michael O'Connor, UBC Quarterback
Second year QB hopes to repeat last season's surprise success that saw UBC win first Vanier Cup in 19 years
Name: Michael O'Connor
Age: 20
Hometown: Orleans, Ont.
Measures: 6-5, 230 lbs
Major: Business
Summer Job: Interning with the Aquilini Group
Achievements: Last season, O'Connor who was in first year with the team, helped turn around a flagging football program, and led the T-Birds to their first Vanier Cup title in 19 years.
Story: UBC was the surprise of the CIS last season but after winning Vanier Cup but now every team in Canada is gunning for them. A transfer from NCAA Div.1 Penn State, O'Connor threw three touchdown passes in the T-Birds' week one win over Alberta, only to suffer a stiff defeat — 35-8 — in Calgary last week. Calgary's defence held UBC to zero yards of offence in the fourth quarter.
UBC (1-1) plays its homecoming game versus the Regina Rams (1-1) Saturday, 5:00 p.m. PT at Thunderbird Stadium.
UBC media relations manager Len Catling says the school hopes to have 10,000 very loud fans in the stands and on the grassy banks surrounding the field.
"We're looking to throw the best party in school history," says Catling.
Down! Set! Hut! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UBCHomecoming?src=hash">#UBCHomecoming</a> happens Saturday: <a href="https://t.co/JTzTdROSiu">https://t.co/JTzTdROSiu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UBC?src=hash">#UBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YVR?src=hash">#YVR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vancouver?src=hash">#Vancouver</a> <a href="https://t.co/GyD9jUuw0K">pic.twitter.com/GyD9jUuw0K</a>
—@ubctbirds