Game Notes

For the first time since the 2004 season, the University of Regina Rams will head to McMahon Stadium this Saturday for a showdown with the No. 6-ranked Calgary Dinos.

There's plenty at stake for this matchup, as the teams come into the game with identical 3-2 records in what is shaping up to be one of the more wild seasons in recent Canada West history. The winner of this game will boast a 4-2 record and – depending on the outcomes of the other two games – could be third, second, or tied for first in the conference. At 3-3, the loser will be in fourth place – or, tied for fourth place if Manitoba defeats Saskatchewan at home on Saturday.

Calgary will be looking to go a perfect 4-0 this season at McMahon. The Dinos have already defeated Manitoba, Alberta, and UBC this season at home, allowing an average of just 13 points per game in those three games. Calgary will be a well-rested squad, as the Dinos are coming off their bye week.

After suffering two consecutive losses to start the season, the Rams have turned the corner and have reeled off victories against UBC, Simon Fraser, and Alberta to get back above the .500 mark.

The Rams pulled out a 28-15 victory last Saturday at home against Alberta in a game that was closer than the final score indicated. The Golden Bears had the ball in the final minute with a chance to drive downfield late, but Rams linebacker Thomas Irving got through the line untouched and hammered Alberta quarterback Quade Armstrong, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Regina on Alberta's own one-yard line. Irving's play essentially sealed the victory for the Rams.

Teale Orban continued his assault on the record book against Alberta, becoming Canada West's all-time leader in pass completions. With three games left in the regular season, Orban's 628 pass completions and 71 touchdowns are both conference career records. Barring injury, Orban enters the Calgary game with 8768 passing yards, which means that he should pass Darryl Leason's conference record of 8800 yards sometime on Saturday. It would only be appropriate that Orban would set the mark against the Dinos, considering that Leason split his five-season CIS career between Calgary and Regina. Chad Goldie could also set a conference mark on Saturday, as the fifth-year wide receiver needs just three catches to tie Brad Coutts' Canada West-leading total of 162 career receptions.

Running back Luke Derkson continues to have a stellar season for the Rams, as he leads Canada West with 624 rushing yards and has a chance to become the U of R's first player to rush for at least 1000 in a single season. Goldie has been the team's leading receiver this year with 20 catches for 297 yards and a touchdown, while first-year receiver Mark McConkey has performed well in a starting role and has 20 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown.

Brandon Ganne continues to assert himself as one of the premier linebackers in the conference. Ganne has accumulated 37½ tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception over the first five games of the season. Bruce Anderson has also been impressive in his first season in the CIS, recording two fumble recoveries, a team-leading two interceptions, and 27½ tackles. The Rams' defence has allowed an average of 352 yards per game, which ranks third in the conference.

In his first season in the CIS after playing junior with the Regina Thunder, Calgary quarterback Deke Junior has thrown for 1109 yards and five touchdowns. Nathan Coehoorn and Anthony Parker are the team's top two receivers, while running back Matt Walter ranks second in the conference (behind Derkson) with 482 rushing yards.

Andrea Bonaventura leads a Calgary defence that has performed excellently at McMahon this year. Bonaventura leads the Dinos with 33 tackles, while third-year lineman Deji Oduwole has a team-high four sacks. In just his second year of eligibility, defensive back Brett Ferguson leads the conference with four interceptions.

Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. Video will be streamed live at www.nutv.ca, while Michael Ball and Chad Ehman will carry the game on the radio dial at 620 CKRM or on the Internet at www.620ckrm.com.