BISONS 18 RAMS 16

REGINA – The University of Regina Rams finally got the offence rolling in the second half but it was too little, too late as Manitoba held on for an 18-16 road win on Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium.

The Bisons (1-3) didn’t score an offensive touchdown in their first victory of the season, but got three field goals from Brad Mikoluff and scored their only major of the game on a 47-yard pick six by Jayden McKoy just before halftime. The Rams had two chances to tie the game in the last three minutes, but Daniel Scraper and Thomas Huber both missed field goals from identical 42-yard distances.

Manitoba’s defence picked off Rams quarterback Noah Picton three times, all in the second quarter. James Mau had the first one and McKoy had critical interceptions on back-to-back possessions late in the quarter, the first coming on the pick six and the second in the end zone as the Rams were trying to answer right back from the defensive touchdown. Houston Rennie and Derek Dufault both had sacks for Manitoba, with Rennie’s coming in the final minute to force the Rams into a second-and-19 situation.

Noah Picton ended up 27-for-36 for the Rams and finished with 338 passing yards, but was held without a touchdown pass for the first time since the team’s loss to Alberta last season. Mitchell Picton had nine receptions for 136 yards, while Ryan Schienbein also had nine catches and finished with 86 receiving yards. Layne Hull had Regina’s lone sack, while Cord Delinte was credited with a pair of pass breakups.

The Rams, who outgained Manitoba 263 to 115 in the second half and 390 to 274 overall, fall to 2-2 on the season and will now prepare for a Week 5 road game against a Saskatchewan team that’s currently playing Calgary.

(Braden Konschuh/U of R Athletics)