RAMS 56 BISONS 41

REGINA, Sask. – The University of Regina Rams kept their playoff hopes alive with a critical 56-41 victory over No. 9 Manitoba on Saturday afternoon in a Canada West game at Mosaic Stadium.

Jared Janotta became Canada West’s all-time leader in receptions, surpassing former teammate Mark McConkey’s career total of 180. But more importantly the Rams’ win sets up what will be an epic Week 8 of Canada West football, as both the Calgary and Saskatchewan wins on Saturday also work in the U of R’s favour.

The Rams (2-5) can qualify for the postseason with a win over Alberta next weekend along with victories by both Calgary and Saskatchewan. The Rams could also qualify for the playoffs with a Calgary loss to Manitoba and a three-point U of R win over Alberta, or a Saskatchewan loss to UBC combined with at least a 15-point win over the Golden Bears.

The Rams scored the opening 28 points of the game, only to have Manitoba (3-4) roar back with 24 unanswered points of its own to draw to within four early in the third. But that was as close as Manitoba would come, as the Rams replied almost immediately with Atlee Simon’s third touchdown run of the game and a 104-yard touchdown pass from Noah Picton to Mitch Thompson early in the fourth essentially put the game out of reach.

Picton, who replaced an injured Cayman Shutter in the second, finished 17-for-24 with 368 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Janotta had a team-high seven receptions for 109 yards, while Thompson ended up with a team-high 110 yards – most of which came on that long touchdown reception in the fourth, the third-longest passing play in U of R history.

Rookie running back Atlee Simon had another fine game for the Rams, picking up 154 yards on the ground and becoming the first Rams player to collect three touchdown rushes since Cory Olynick way back in 2002.

The Rams will now get ready for the crucial Alberta matchup, which is set for next Saturday, Nov. 1 at Mosaic Stadium (2 p.m.). Manitoba will also be in action next Saturday, as the Bisons will entertain No. 2 Calgary.

(Courtesy Braden Konschuh)