The stakes are high for this Friday's tilt at Mosaic, as Manitoba comes into town to battle the Rams in a matchup featuring two 3-1 teams. It's the only time during the Canada West schedule that the two teams will play each other, and the winner of the game will – at the very least – move into sole possession of second place in the conference standings.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live in Regina on Access7, on the dial at 620 CKRM (Regina) and 101.5 UMFM (Winnipeg), and online at
www.canadawest.tv.
TV - ACCESS7 (LIVE)
Broadcasters: Mitchell Blair
WEBCAST - CANADAWEST.TV
Broadcasters: Mitchell Blair
Online:
www.canadawest.tv
RADIO - 620 CKRM (LIVE)
Broadcasters: Michael Ball, Marco Ricci
Online:
www.620ckrm.com
(Live on CKRM after the conclusion of the Pats/Kootenay game; available online for duration of game)
GAME NOTES [
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THE HEADLINES
• The Rams come into the game riding a three-game winning streak overall and a six-game winning streak over Manitoba, as they haven't lost to the Bisons since Aug. 30, 2008
• Since joining the CIS in 1999, the Rams hold a 6-5 advantage over Manitoba in 11 Canada West games played in Regina
• Regina boasts a pair of CIS leaders, as QB
Marc Mueller leads the nation with 103 completions and HB
Kirby Kezama leads all players with four interceptions
• Manitoba's special teams have been exceptional this season, as Brendon Bowman leads the CIS with an average of 43.8 yards per punt and Nic Demski leads the nation in average yards per punt return (17.2)
• Friday's game features all three CIS Players of the Week, as Regina DE
Ryan Wellman and Manitoba QB Cam Clark and RB/KR Nic Demski were all honoured on Wednesday morning for their Week 4 performances
#7 UNIVERSITY OF REGINA RAMS (3-1)
After a season-opening loss to Calgary, the Rams have battled back with three consecutive victories and now sit in a tie for second place in the Canada West standings at the midpoint of the conference schedule.
The Rams are coming off a big 35-26 road win over Saskatchewan last Friday, a game in which they scored three consecutive touchdowns in the third quarter and withstood a fourth-quarter push by the Huskies to win their first game in Saskatoon since 2007.
Marc Mueller controls the Rams' offence, with the fifth-year quarterback entering this Friday's game leading all CIS players with 103 completions this season. Mueller also ranks second in the conference in passing yards (1221), touchdown passes (9), and completion rate (70.1%), trailing only Calgary's Eric Dzwilewski in all three categories.
With
Mark McConkey still out after suffering an injury during practice,
Kolten Solomon and
Jared Janotta have emerged as Mueller's top targets. Solomon – who had two touchdown catches and a touchdown run in last week's win at Saskatchewan alone – has 21 catches for 268 yards and three touchdowns this season, while Janotta has 20 receptions for 250 yards and a touchdown.
Michael Kiapway is enjoying a breakout season for the Rams, as the second-year running back leads Canada West with 359 rushing yards and ranks second in the conference with four touchdown runs.
With All-Canadian defensive tackle
Stefan Charles out due to a thumb injury for the second consecutive week,
Ryan Wellman stepped up on the line in a big way for the Rams last week and was named the CIS Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. In the backfield,
Kirby Kezama and
Jamir Walker have combined for seven of the Rams' nine interceptions as they rank second in the CIS as a team in that category.
#8 UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS (3-1)
Just as they did to the Rams in Week 3, the winless Alberta Golden Bears provided a stern test to the Manitoba Bisons last Saturday. Manitoba prevailed, however, ending up with a 51-38 home victory to improve to 3-1 on the season.
Quarterback Cam Clark was brilliant for Manitoba last week, completing 23 of his 27 passes for 442 yards and four touchdowns and being named the CIS Player of the Week. Through the first four conference games, Clark ranks third in Canada West in both passing yards (1164) and touchdown passes (8).
Clark's top two receivers are Xavier Johnson (19 catches for 311 yards) and Danny Turek (12 catches for 228 yards), while Andrew Smith has 187 receiving yards on just eight catches and ranks second in the conference with an average of 23.4 yards per catch. Though Kienan LaFrance leads Manitoba in rushing yards, expect Anthony Coombs – who has missed two of the Bisons' four games this season due to injury – to lead the ground game.
Teague Sherman, a first-team All-Canadian in 2011, leads Manitoba's defence. The fifth-year safety has registered the Bisons' lone interception of the season and ranks sixth on the team with 14½ tackles.
After the bye week, the Bisons return to the Canada West schedule on the road against Saskatchewan on Friday, Oct. 12.
RAMS MILESTONE WATCH
• QB
Marc Mueller needs 31 completions to join Teale Orban as the only University of Regina quarterbacks to hit 500 in their career
• CB
Jamir Walker has three interceptions this season and is tied for sixth in Canada West history with 16 career picks
• SB
Jared Janotta needs just 12 receiving yards to become the 12th player in U of R history to collect 1000 career yards
• DE
Logan Brooks ranks third on the U of R's all-time list with 10½ career sacks – Brooks needs just one sack to overtake Sean Brimacombe for No. 2 and three to pass Stan Van Sichem as the school's career leader
• HB
Kirby Kezama needs just one more interception to tie
Jamir Walker's school single-season record of five (2010)
