RAMS, HUSKIES VICTORIOUS ON CANADA WEST OPENING NIGHT
The University of Regina Rams walked into IG Field in Winnipeg and took a 33-23 victory over No. 6-ranked Manitoba on Friday night in both teams’ 2022 Canada West opener.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Manitoba got the game’s first major and the Bisons led 7-5 after the opening quarter. The Rams replied on a 14-yard Kyle Borsa rushing touchdown with eight minutes to go in the second.
The Bisons led 17-13 at the break, but Noah Pelletier found Bennett Stusek for a 68-yard touchdown that put the Rams up 20-17 early in the third quarter.
The Rams scored again fewer than two minutes later when Ryder Varga blocked a punt and Jaxon Ford scooped it up and ran it in for the major, giving the Rams a 27-17 cushion.
The Rams led by two scores for the remainder of the game, with a Varga interception sealing the victory with a minute remaining in the contest.
NEXT UP
The Rams (1-0) host their home opener next Friday against Calgary. The Dinos are 0-1 on the season after a 44-5 home loss to Saskatchewan.
CALGARY, Alta. — The defending Hardy Cup Champion Saskatchewan Huskies football team opened the 2022 season with a 44-5 win over the Calgary Dinos at McMahon Stadium.
The win came off the backs of a standout showing from quarterback Mason Nyhus, who threw for 408 yards and five touchdowns — two of which were to Daniel Perry, who finished the day with 128 yards on five receptions.
In his Huskies debut, Ted Kubongo ran for 30 yards on four carries — one of which a 17-yard touchdown, while adding five receptions and 55 yards through the air. Ryker Frank led the Huskies with 53 yards on eight carries, as well as a 11-yard touchdown reception.
Calgary product Nick Wiebe led Saskatchewan with seven total tackles, while fellow linebacker Ramsey Derbas added seven tackles of his own.
Saskatchewan, who was ranked as the number-one team in the Canada West preseason coaches poll, opened their season with a win and sit tied atop the conference with a 1-0 record.
The Huskies more than doubled the Dinos output of total offence — 523 to 227.
“Obviously, we think we’re a good team but really we don’t know yet — we have to go out there and prove it. I’m happy we came out here and made a big statement offensively. I think we played really well, especially through the air,” said Nyhus.
“Defensively, obviously, giving up five points — I’m just so proud of all the guys. I think it’s a good start, but, obviously it’s Week 1 — we got UBC coming in next week and we’re looking forward to that.”
Meanwhile, Calgary fell to 0-1 with the loss.
Next week, the Huskies will host homecoming. The green-and-white are set to welcome the visiting UBC Thunderbirds to Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park in a rematch of last years conference semifinal. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday night.
Calgary will take their show on the road to Regina, as they are set to take on the Rams at Mosaic Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday night.
(ReginaRams.com/Huskies.Usask.ca)
