Box Score

The University of Regina Rams opened up their 2008 season with a 25-12 loss to the defending Vanier Cup champion Manitoba Bisons on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams combined for just one touchdown during the game. Manitoba quarterback John Makie found Matt Henry in the end zone for an eight-yard strike five minutes into the second quarter, putting the Bisons into the lead. Both placekickers were perfect on the day, with Scott Dixon hitting six field goals and Perri Scarcelli nailing three.

Makie ended up completing 16 of his 32 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. Mike Mizerski led the Bisons with 5 catches, while Terry Firr had a team-high 80 receiving yards. On the ground, Henry rushed 25 times for 78 yards in addition to his touchdown reception in the second quarter.

Regina's Teale Orban was 19-for-36 for 224 yards on the day. Making his first start in the CIS, first-year wide receiver Mark McConkey caught five passes for 61 yards. Fullback Sheldon Tillotson also caught five balls for the Rams.

Manitoba linebacker Kenton Onofrychuk led all defensive players with 11½ tackles and also forced a fumble, while Everton Black recorded two sacks for the Bisons. Regina's Brandon Ganne had a team-high six tackles and also had one of the Rams' two sacks on the game.

The Bisons, who have now beaten the Rams in seven consecutive games over the past three seasons, will travel to Calgary next week. Regina will prepare for its home opener against Saskatchewan, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday.

NOTES: Chad Goldie's four receptions moved him into third place on the Canada West all-time list in receptions (143) … Goldie is now 19 catches short of Brad Coutts' conference record of 162 career receptions … Orban moved into fifth place on the Canada West all-time list in passing yards (7864) … Orban also moved into third place on the Canada West all-time list in completions (546).