BISONS TOP RAMS 12-9 IN PRESEASON OPENER

The University of Regina Rams opened up their 2019 campaign with 12-9 exhibition loss to the Manitoba Bisons on Wednesday night at Mosaic Stadium.

The Rams got some life late when running back Jayse Easton broke out with the longest play of the game on a 48-yard touchdown run up the left sideline. That got the Rams to within three and they got the ball back with 50 seconds to go, but Manitoba’s defence forced a turnover as the Rams weren’t able to convert on a third-and-long situation in their own territory.

STARTERS VS. STARTERS
For the most part, the two teams played their starters throughout the first quarter but began to test their depth in the second. Manitoba held a 4-3 lead after that opening quarter, with the teams trading field goals and the Bisons collecting a rouge on the opening possession of the game.

QUARTERBACK COMPARISON
Des Catellier started for Manitoba and completed five of nine passes for 40 yards, while Josh Donnelly was 8-for-13 for Regina for a total of 86 yards.

ON THE GROUND
Easton and Manitoba’s Logan Fischer finished as the two leading rushers. Easton ended up with a game-high 69 yards on three rushes, while Fischer had six carries for a total of 60 yards.
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Manitoba defensive lineman Samson Abbott had a team-leading four tackles which included a pair of fourth-quarter sacks on Regina quarterback Colton Hippe. Elijah Rivera picked up an interception in the second quarter for the Bisons. Josh White started at will linebacker for the Rams had had a team-leading five tackles, one of the team’s three sacks, and also recovered a fumble that Cameron Crossforced early in the second quarter. First-year linemen Michael Clow and Zach Eltom also had sacks for the U of R.

TEAM STATS
Not surprisingly, neither team put up gaudy offensive numbers as the Rams held a 261-239 advantage in total offensive yards.

QUOTABLE: COACH BRYCE
“Overall, tonight was a success. We got everyone in the game, and all of our young players got significant playing time. Josh White is outstanding, he was flying around making plays. Jaxon Ford was very tight on coverage and physical on his run support. And offensively, Josh Donnelly was composed and executed well.” – Rams head coach Steve Bryce

NEXT UP
Both teams will start Canada West play on the road next week. Manitoba will head right back to the Land of the Living Skies to face Saskatchewan on Friday, while the Rams will travel to the coast to square off with UBC on Saturday.

(ReginaRams.com/Photo: Darren Dupont)