GOLDEN BEARS 29 RAMS 22
REGINA, Sask. – The University of Regina Rams had a nine-point lead at the half, but Alberta outscored them 22-6 in the second half en route to a 29-22 win in both teams’ Canada West opener Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.
After the Golden Bears took their first lead of the game after a pair of Ed Ilnicki touchdown runs in the third quarter, a 10-yard catch for a major by Atlee Simon gave the Rams a slim 22-21 lead midway through the fourth.
But Alberta capitalized following its defence’s third interception of the game, taking advantage of a short field with a five-play, 43-yard drive that was completed by an 18-yard Ben Kopczynski pass to Tylor Henry and a successful two-point convert. The Rams took over the ball with 1:27 left and drove 44 yards downfield into Alberta territory, but Tak Landry’s hit on Mitchell Picton forced an incomplete pass on third down and solidified the win for the visitors.
Atlee Simon had a career-high 189 yards on 28 carries for the Rams, while Noah Picton was 25-for-37 and finished with 321 yards and two touchdown passes. Andrew Bennett had eight catches for 115 yards, while Richard Sindani had five catches for 102 yards including a 15-yard touchdown reception midway through the second quarter.
Alberta (1-0) will now prepare for its home opener against Saskatchewan, which lost 34-28 to visiting Manitoba on Friday night. The Rams (0-1) will hit the road for their first away test of the season, as they’ll take on a UBC team which was railroaded 49-16 by Calgary on Friday night.
I know these are amature refs but they were terrible tonight. Who ever #64 is should start officiating figure skating. He does not deserve to be on the field for pee wee football never ind CIS. He is a joke. Learn the rule book jack A$$
that was a must win if there can be such a thing in week 1. UBC the Dinos yikes
Too many penalties. Where have we heard this before.
I see the Rams hold leads in the second half just like the Riders do.
I just want to make sure I have this right.
Bernie Schmidt knows more about offense than many other people yet he was let go for no reason at a time when the Rams offence should flourish under little Picton, Simon and those receivers while Paul Dawson was retained as DC to keep going with a unit which was bad last year and continues to be.
People think the Riders are dysfunctional.
These are your Regina Rams!
Excellent offense, save for the penalties – but the defense needs work. Hmm….
A question for anyone reading this who was at the game. When it was over and the teams were lined up, Gibson stood by his bench and when Alberta's coach came over, the two got into what looked like a pretty heated debate that ended with Gibson basically waving him away in disgust with Alberta's coach saying something back as he walked back to the sidelines. I didn't see anything during the game to warrant such a behavior from Coach Gibson. I am hoping this guy isn't a poor sport and a sore loser because if he is, it looks… Read more »
Gibson's quotes in the LP today sound very "Chamblinish" !! #justsayin
Luc Mullinder did a great job as colour commentary on CKRM. If Carm gets sick, they have a guy ready to step in.
Picton wasn't on his game clearly. Untimely picks thrown and one crucial interception he threw was over turned by a penalty. CanWest will be Tough this year. Calgary, Sask, Manitoba and UBC will all be strong it will be interesting to see how U of A and U of R match up with those teams in the coming weeks.
I noticed the Gibson thing too, but I have no idea what sparked it. Didn't think it looked very good on Gibson.
Two or more sides to every story, right?
Unless you really know what went down to cause a rift, one really has to shut his mouth! There may have been an attempt to injure that the know nothings didn't see. There are too many things that go on for the peanut gallery to comment. It was a close game until one of our keep players started to throw INT's, plain and simple. The talent we are able to recruit is sub-standard and as a result the on field product often suffers. It's good to see a coach who has some fire in his belly, and isn't happy just… Read more »
have spend some $$ recruiting outside sask more and not just americans who cant make a div 3 team
Tough loss for the Rams. Bad time for the dropsies!
Today I see that former Ram Brett Jones made the Giants – albeit on the injured/reserve list.
Old Hank
Looks like Duron Carter is headed back to the CFL … would be a good pick-up by the Riders.
Good job U of A
Coach Gibson, is that you? Let's hear how ya really feel!
I've heard a lot of bad stories about the Rams and I heard a lot more while at the game last night while seeing Gibson diss the Alberta coach.
Is it true both Marco Ricci and Gary Bresh were told via e-mail this week they were not welcome back as radio and TV colour guys because they questioned the removal of both Frankie Mac and Bernie S?
Are the Rams board of directors really that egotistical? I think my support will be going to the Thunder very soon. #oneanddone
How can you dis Bernies offence it was 4th in the nation and consistently put up big numbers. Its the defence that has been real bad every year even with 2 NFL players in the line up. Doesn't take a surgeon to figure out who should have been gone last season. Yes Gary Bresch was released via email the day before the game leaving him in some excellent company of former RAMS who have been released by non Ram executives/boardmembers.