RAMS OPEN WITH 36-20 WIN OVER UBC

REGINA, Sask. – The University of Regina Rams opened up the Canada West schedule with a convincing win in a battle of top-ten teams, taking a 36-20 victory over UBC on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.

After a quiet first quarter, the No. 5-ranked Rams (1-0) scored twice in the first half of the second with a Kyle Moortgat touchdown reception and a short Atlee Simon rush for a major and never looked back. The Rams led 16-4 at the half, and took complete control in the third after a Mitch Thompson touchdown catch and a Tyler Vieira plunge from one yard out to go up 33-6 late in the quarter.

The usual suspects drove the Regina offence in the win. Noah Picton completed 23 of his 35 pass attempts for 335 yards and two touchdowns, while Mitchell Picton was the game’s leading receiver with six receptions for 120 yards. Cole Benkic and Polis Koko both had interceptions for the Regina defence, while linebacker Nick Cross – the first Rams rookie to start a season opener right out of high school since Jamir Walker in 2008 – led all players with 7½ tackles including a sack and also had a pass breakup.

Simon, who finished with 14 carries for 63 yards, became the University of Regina’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns. He entered the season tied with Rams legend Neal Hughes with 17, but pulled ahead of Hughes with his second-quarter rumble from two yards out.

The Rams will now prepare for a big Week 2 road game next Friday at No. 4 Calgary, which also won its season opener on Friday night with a 55-26 victory at Alberta. UBC will be back on the West Coast next weekend with a Saturday home game against UBC.

(Courtesy Braden Konschuh/U of R Athletics)