Box Score

The University of Regina Rams clinched second place in the Canada West standings and a home playoff date in the first round of the playoffs after holding off the previously unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Calgary Dinos for a 12-9 win on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.

A play by Justin Edralin put an end to Calgary's final drive, as Dinos quarterback Andrew Buckley threw one deep under heavy pressure but the third-year halfback picked off the pass deep in Rams territory. Two first downs by the home side on the ensuing drive put the Rams into victory formation.

Despite the loss, Calgary (6-1) clinches first place in the Canada West standings for the second consecutive season. Regina (5-2) nails down second place with the victory and will host a playoff game for the first time since 2007.

Calgary took an early lead with a Johnny Mark rouge off the opening kickoff, and the score stayed 1-0 in favour of the Dinos until late in the first quarter when the Rams recorded one of the few big plays in the game. Joey Dwyer – who has taken over as the team's starting halfback with Kirby Kezama injured – intercepted a tipped Eric Dzwilewski pass and returned it 54 yards to the house, scoring what would turn out to be the U of R's only touchdown.

The Rams added a 33-yard field goal by Taylor Wandler to take a 10-1 lead into halftime.

The defensive struggle continued into the second half, as the only points of the third quarter were a pair of rouges by the Rams following missed Wandler field goals. The second Wandler rouge was set up by Jamir Walker, who returned a missed Johnny Mark field goal 84 yards before finally being taken down in Calgary territory.

Calgary finally scored its first major of the game just under four minutes into the fourth quarter when Buckley connected with Brett Blaszko from 12 yards out. Mark added a rouge three minutes later to pull the Dinos to within three points, but that was the final scoring of the game.

Dwyer also had two pass breakups and seven total tackles to go along with his interception. Alex Meldrum led all players with 11 total tackles and a sack, while Chris Sciog also recorded a sack for the Rams. Daniel Knaus had a fumble recovery for the Rams following a massive midfield hit and forced fumble by Brady Aulie.

Mark Coons came in at running back for the Rams late in the third quarter and ended up rushing 10 times for 50 yards. Zach Oleynik was 8-for-18 for Regina and had 55 passing yards.

Calgary – which had a 383-189 edge in total yards in the loss – was led offensively by Chris Dobko and Blaszko, who each had seven receptions. Dobko had a game-high 83 receiving yards, while Blaszko had 74. Steven Lumbala had 60 rushing yards for the Dinos.

Michael Klassen led the Dinos defence with seven total tackles, while Brian Hagen had a sack and Jamahl Knowles and Doctor Cassama both registered interceptions.

The Rams will close out the Canada West schedule with a home game against Alberta (0-6) next Friday, while the Dinos will host Manitoba (3-3) on Saturday.

NOTES: Walker's 84-yard effort was the second longest punt return in University of Regina history, trailing only a 95-yard punt return by Steve Ryan back in 2006.