Box Score

The University of Regina's football team mounted a late comeback but fell short on Saturday afternoon, as the No. 6-ranked Rams dropped a 24-17 decision to UBC in Canada West action at Thunderbird Stadium.

UBC scored the first 17 points of the game and it took Regina until the four-minute mark of the third quarter before a 41-yard Taylor Wandler field goal finally got the Rams on the board, but the visitors would build from there. Another Wandler field goal and a conceded safety before the third ended brought the Rams to within nine points going into the fourth.

The Rams cut the lead to 17-15 with just over five minutes left in the fourth when Michael Kiapway rumbled 18 yards for the team's only major of the game on a draw. The Regina defence forced a two-and-out and the Rams got the ball back on their own 43-yard line with just under four minutes left in the game, but disaster struck.

Frankie Gray – who had been solid for the Rams at quarterback since going in for Zach Oleynik in the third quarter – had his first pass of the drive intercepted by UBC's Kofi Kuma-Mintah, who ran it back all the way to Regina's 33-yard line. After an untimely 15-yard penalty, UBC's Billy Greene found Jordan Grieve in the back of the end zone to give the Thunderbirds a late nine-point lead.

After a conceded safety left one second on the game clock and UBC up by seven, Gray had one last chance to heave one towards the end zone from his own 35 but the Hail Mary was picked off by the UBC defence.

The loss drops Regina's record to 4-2 on the season, but the Rams remain in sole possession of second place in the Canada West standings and can clinch a home playoff game with wins in either of their final two conference games.

Brandon Deschamps had a big game on the ground for UBC (2-4), as Canada West's rushing leader ended up with 161 rushing yards and a touchdown. Greene scrambled nine times for 71 yards and completed 17 of his 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Andrew Darcovich and Grieve both caught touchdown passes for UBC, while Miguel Barker led the Thunderbirds' defence with a pair of interceptions including the game-ending pick on the final play.

Kiapway had 87 rushing yards for the Rams and became joined Neal Hughes and Adrian Charles as the only players in U of R history to collect five touchdown runs in a single season. Oleynik completed 10 of his 23 passes for 160 yards but tossed two interceptions before Gray replaced him in the third. Gray was 14-for-22 for the Rams, ending up with 148 passing yards.

Kolten Solomon and Jared Janotta both led Regina with six receptions. Solomon had 69 receiving yards, while Janotta collected 68 and Jay Smith had four catches for 67 yards.

Joey Dwyer and Steve Famulak both led the Rams defence with eight total tackles. Famulak also had a pass breakup and a sack, while defensive end Logan Brooks registered the team's lone interception after picking off a Dominik Bundschuh pass on a fake field goal attempt in the second quarter.

The Rams will now close out the Canada West schedule with a pair of home games. They'll host No. 2-ranked Calgary (6-0) next Friday at Mosaic Stadium before finishing conference play on Friday, Oct. 26 against Alberta (0-6).