RAMS FALL 23-22 AT ALBERTA
The Rams had a chance to win it on the last play of the game, but Aldo Galvan – who had already set a University of Regina record by hitting five field goals during the game – missed an attempt left from 38 yards out and Sony Bermudez was able to return it out of the end zone to seal the win.
The loss, combined with Calgary’s blowout win over UBC on Saturday, eliminates the Rams from postseason contention.
Regina at one point held a 22-5 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Golden Bears reeled off 18 unanswered points in the comeback. The biggest play came on special teams with two minutes remaining and the Rams up nine. Alberta lined up for a 39-yard field goal which Giustini missed left, but the Rams fumbled the return and Alberta’s Tyler Krushelniski recovered the ball in the end zone for the major.
Alberta then recovered the ensuing onside kick, and a 20-yard rush by Matthew Peterson set the table for Giustini’s game-winning field goal.
Golden Bears quarterback Brad Launhardt finished 21-for-41 for 235 yards including a 37-yard touchdown pass to Chevy Thomas that kickstarted Alberta’s fourth-quarter comeback. Thomas finished as the game’s top receiver with seven catches for 108 yards.
Josiah Schakel led Alberta’s defence with two forced fumble and three tackles for loss, two of which came on sacks.
Kyle Borsa led the Rams offensively with 19 carries for 113 yards and also caught a pair of passes out of the backfield. Making his second career start, quarterback Bryden O’Flaherty was 15-for-29 and finished with 155 passing yards with a touchdown to D’Sean Mimbs on the team’s first possession of the game. It was Mimbs’ fifth touchdown catch of the year, giving the rookie receiver the University of Regina record for most by a Rams player in his first season with the team.
The Rams’ defence forced two turnovers, one on an early Brandon Gandire interception and another when Cody Petersforced a fumble that Ryder Varga pounced on.
Regina (1-4) will close out its 2021 season at home against Manitoba next Saturday afternoon. The Bisons, who lost 41-12 to Saskatchewan on Saturday, will come into that game with a 3-2 record.
NOTES: Galvan’s five field goals break the school record that he shared with Perri Scarcelli, Chris Bodnar, and Andrew Fabian … Galvan ended up 5-for-7 on field goals during the game, hitting from 36, 21, 17, 38, and 27 yards out.
(ReginaRams.com)
