Nwoye, T-birds national champs

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The UBC Thunderbirds won the Vanier Cup over the University of Montreal Carabins 26-23 in Quebec City on Nov. 28.
It was Strathmore’s Charles Nwoye’s first year playing football and for him the ride was unforgettable.
“It feels good,” said Nwoye. “I never expected coming here and winning in my first year. Everyone thought we were the underdogs right from the beginning. Our very first game, we played Laval, which at that time was the number one seed in the country and we beat them pretty soundly.
“After that moment, we had that confidence we could take anyone in the country out and it was the confidence we had as a group that helped us overcome that underdog label.”
UBC’s kicker Quinn van Gylswyk, who was awarded the top punter award by the CIS, had missed a kick prior to letting Montreal back in the game to tie it; Nwoye thought he would rebound with no time left on the clock to win the championship.
“We had faith in him,” said Nwoye. “The very first one, our holder fumbled the ball, (it) wasn’t really a knock on Quinn. When he stepped up to kick that field goal we really had no doubt that he was going to make it.”
Nwoye thought the atmosphere leading up to the 51st Vanier Cup was unforgettable as they bused from the Uteck Bowl win a week prior in Nova Scotia to Quebec City.
“It was a great experience,” said Nwoye. “It was the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed in to be honest. We had media following us 24/7 all week and at practices, getting interviews. I just felt like a pro player.”
He added that he had the chills when he walked into the stadium, not used to being in front of a big crowd.