Box Score Box Score

Playing quarterback for the first time in his CIS career, Zach Oleynik threw four touchdown passes for the University of Regina Rams as they defeated Alberta 38-14 on Saturday afternoon in a Canada West game at Foote Field in Edmonton.

Oleynik – a 6'4” slotback who rocketed up the Rams' depth chart following injuries to Marc Mueller and Dylan Hart – came out of nowhere on Saturday to complete 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 254 yards, including two touchdown passes to Jared Janotta and one apiece to both Mark McConkey and Brenden Owens.

Running back Adrian Charles had a fine game on the ground for the Rams, rushing 22 times for 165 yards and a touchdown. Janotta ended up with seven catches for a career-high 147 yards, including a 69-yard reception in the early in the game which set up McConkey's major.

Jamir Walker was a standout defensively, as the fourth-year cornerback recorded two interceptions – both of which set up touchdowns for the Rams offence – to pass Steve Ryan as the school's all-time leader with 11 career picks. First-year linebacker Tyler Mantyak made his first CIS start and tied Justin Edralin for the team lead with six tackles, while Logan Brooks had a pair of sacks for Regina.

The Rams (1-3) opened the scoring with a nine-play, 95-yard drive midway through the first quarter that ended with a four-yard touchdown catch by McConkey. Janotta then got in the act, hauling in two touchdown passes in the second quarter to increase Regina's lead to 21-0.

Alberta (0-4) got on the board with a minute and a half left in the second quarter on K.K. Sonuga's 14-yard touchdown run, giving the Rams a 21-7 lead at halftime. The Golden Bears drew even closer after a good return was followed by a quick drive resulting in a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brad Quartel from Julian Marchand, cutting the lead to just seven.

But it was all Rams from there.

Charles put Regina back up by two touchdowns with a 10-yard rumble late in the third quarter, and a 25-yard lob to Owens in the end zone gave the Rams a three-possession cushion midway through the fourth. Chris Bodnar, who punted brilliantly all game long, capped the scoring with a 33-yard field goal late in the contest.

Marchand completed 15 of his 29 passes for 196 for the Golden Bears, while Sonuga ended up with 16 rushes for 101 yards. Alberta's leading receiver was Laine Rogers, who caught five passes for 75 yards.

The Rams will return home next weekend to square off with Manitoba (2-2) on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium, with the winner taking over the fourth and final Canada West postseason spot. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

NOTES: Oleynik becomes the first Rams quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in a single game since Teale Orban threw five at Alberta on Oct. 18, 2008 ... the Rams now boast a 13-5 all-time record against the Golden Bears ... Charles moves into sole possession of second place on the U of R's all-time list with 10 career rushing touchdowns ... Oleynik moves into a tie with Campbell Antonini for sixth place on the school's all-time list in touchdown passes (4) ... Oleynik and Frankie Gray were used interchangeably at quarterback, as Gray ended up completing 2 of his 3 passes but also rushed six times for 61 yards ... Kahlen Branning also saw some snaps at quarterback for the Rams late in the contest and rushed two times for 23 yards ... Owens needs just 13 yards to pass Chris Bauman for fifth on the U of R's all-time receiving yards list.