Box Score Box Score

The University of Regina Rams scored back-to-back touchdowns in the second quarter to take the lead and held on for a 26-18 win over the Manitoba Bisons on Friday night in Canada West football action at Mosaic Stadium.

Both Regina and Manitoba move to 2-3 on the season after Friday's result, but the Rams technically move into fourth place in the conference standings because of the head-to-head win. The two teams also meet in the final week of the Canada West schedule in Winnipeg in what could prove to be a pivotal matchup.

Nic Demski got things started in a hurry for Manitoba, as the 17-year-old took the game's opening kickoff all the way to the house for a 100-yard touchdown return. Demski's return turned out to be the only major of the first quarter, as the only other points were a pair to the Rams after a conceded Manitoba safety.

Without the services of Chris Bodnar – who missed Friday's game with an injury – the Rams used Taylor Wandler for punting and kicking duties. Wandler averaged an impressive 43 yards per kick over his first three punts, but his fourth was a shank which set up Manitoba in prime field position. Anthony Coombs finished off a quick four-play, 34-yard drive with a two yard touchdown run which put Manitoba up 15-2, but the Rams replied in a big way before halftime.

On the ensuing drive, the Rams marched 88 yards to the end zone in just seven plays. A 15-yard catch by Brenden Owens, a 14-yard catch by Jared Janotta, an Adrian Charles nine-yard rush with a 15-yard Manitoba penalty tacked onto it, and a 24-yard pass by Zach Oleynik to Janotta brought Regina all the way down to the Bisons' two-yard line. Charles finished it off with his second touchdown run of the season.

The Rams forced a punt on the next Manitoba possession and they took the ball at their own 28. Four rushes by Charles brought the Rams up to their own 52-yard line, but two incomplete passes brought up third and 10 for Regina. The Rams conjured up a little trickery with a direct snap to Chris Sciog, who – for the second consecutive game – rushed for the first down on a fake punt. The drive continued on and was eventually finished off by a great catch by Owens in the end zone, putting the Rams ahead 16-15.

Owens' touchdown was the last major of the game, as neither team was able to find the end zone in the second half. Wandler hit two field goals in the third quarter and added another late in the fourth, while Manitoba's Nick Boyd scored the only points of the second half for the visitors with a 17-yard chip shot early in the final quarter.

Manitoba's last two possessions of the game ended with turnovers, as Cam Clark was intercepted by Rams linebacker Austin Bates with three minutes left in the contest, and a Steve Famulak fumble recovery following an Akiem Hicks sack put the final nail in the coffin with 1:15 remaining.

Charles was kept busy for the Rams all night long, as the fifth-year running back ended up with 39 rushes for 186 yards. The 39 carries stand as a University of Regina single-game record and are the third most in Canada West history.

Oleynik completed 10 of his 26 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, while Jared Janotta led all players with five catches for 72 yards. Bates led Regina with 5½ tackles, while Hicks had five tackles and two sacks. Bates also had a sack and an interception, with Famulak and Cody Johnstone also registering picks for the Rams' defence.

Demski had a 36-yard kickoff return in addition to his 100-yard jaunt to open the game and ended up with 11 rushes for 63 yards. Anthony Coombs, who was a game-time decision after missing last week due to injury, had six rushes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Stu Schollaardt had three catches for 44 yards, while former Ram Jared Ralko had two catches for 48 yards. Clifton Lewis and Eric Vincent both had eight tackles for Manitoba, while Lauren Kroeker had seven tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup.

Both teams will return to action on Oct. 15. The Rams will travel to Vancouver for a game against UBC (3-2), while Manitoba will host Alberta (0-4).

NOTES: The only players in Canada West history to have more than 39 rushes in a single game are Calgary's Mark Nohra (48 at UBC on Oct. 25, 1997) and Alberta's Tom Houg (43 at Manitoba on Oct. 29, 1988) ... Wandler tied a University of Regina record with five field goal attempts ... the Rams are now 8-13 against Manitoba in conference games ... Owens passed Chris Bauman for fifth place on the U of R's all-time career receiving yards list (1717) and is 42 yards behind fourth-place Michael Thomas.