Inside Acera Insurance Training Camp: exhibition vs Huskies crucial for players and coaches alike

After eight days of UBC's Acera Insurance Training Camp, the biggest test for the T-Birds has arrived with the squad's lone pre-season contest taking place Wednesday night in Saskatoon.

While coaching staff have had a good chance to evaluate both returning vets and the healthy crop of freshmen, there's nothing quite like taking on a true opponent.

"We're still in the process of trying to evaluate in most positional groups and so this game coming up in Saskatchewan is going to be very important for a number of individuals," said UBC head coach, Blake Nill, ahead of Wednesday's game against the Huskies. "There's not many places more difficult to play than on the campus at the University of Saskatchewan so I'm looking forward to the challenges that represents. The fact we're back there two weeks later I think is going to serve us well that way. But more than anything I just want to see my guys be excited about the opportunity to compete against another program, make some plays, see who rises to the top and then start focussing on the challenges that the regular season's going to represent."
 

As important as the exhibition battle is for coaches and players alike, it's perhaps more helpful for first year offensive coordinator, Khari Jones.

"It's big for our guys, just to get to go against someone else that's not yourself, it just adds that excitement to it," said the former CFL Most Outstanding Player. "I want to see who the competitors are, that's really what it's about, see who wants to go out there and compete on a play-by-play basis. I feel like we have competitors but you never fully know until the lights come on and you see these guys."

Hired back in January, Jones has been busy familiarizing himself with his players, the program and the U SPORTS game. It's a big difference from his time spent in the CFL both as a player and coach, but it's a process he has been relishing.

"I'm impressed first of all with the attitude and the overall abilities – these guys can play," Jones said. "Solid quarterback play, solid O-Line play. Of course you got to see them when the lights come on, but I've been happy with the progress that we've made. And from the start, from spring practice on to training camp, you've seen steady improvement and that's all you can ask for."
 

Wednesday night's game against the Huskies will go a long way to determining what week one's depth chart looks like with very few certainties currently in place.

"Starting with the quarterback position, there's great competition there between both Derek (Engel) and Drew (Viotto), both of them are playing great in practice right now," added Jones. "We have really great competition at the receiver position. I have a feeling on some receivers but again, you see the guys when the lights come on and it becomes a different thing. Running back, there's great competition there too. Jaxon (Allan), Caleb (Yang), (Toluwalope Ayedegbe), all three of those guys are doing great. Sadik (Sadik) is coming in and doing some great things for us. The O-Line is very talented but there are always some young guys that step up on the offensive line. Everybody, you name it, there's competition and that's what you want. You want it to be a competitive camp and I feel like it has been."

Kickoff for Wednesday's pre-season contest is set for 6:00 p.m. PT in Saskatoon with UBC's Canada West season opener set for next Thursday, August 28 vs the Manitoba Bisons at Thunderbird Stadium. Tickets for the Home Opener are available online now!