REGINA – Twenty-one second quarter points by the University of Regina Rams set the stage for an upset of the No. 1 University of Calgary Dinos on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.
The 34-21 win was the first by Rams interim head coach Mark McConkey and Regina's first win in history over a team ranked No. 1 in the nation.
The Calgary receiving duo of
Jalen Philpot and
Tyson Philpot combined for 260 receiving yards, a good chunk of which came on a 107-yard completion to Jalen early in the game. That connection tied a school record for longest passing play – a record originally set by
Tyson Philpot and Adam Sinagra on Sept. 7, 2018.
Josiah Joseph completed 16 of 28 passes for Calgary, finishing with 289 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game midway through the fourth quarter after absorbing a big hit from Rams linebacker Tanner Smith.
Matteo Spoletini finished the game at pivot for Calgary.
Matthew Lucyshyn led Calgary with 6½ tackles and also broke up a pass.
Gowrishan Aravinthan enjoyed a breakout game for the Rams as the second-year defensive back became the first Regina player in nearly three years to record two interceptions in a game. He ran the first one back 58 yards, while the second one all but sealed the win as he wrestled the ball away from a Calgary receiver in the end zone with a minute and a half remaining.
The Rams now have a Canada West-leading nine sacks on the season after Chopper Hippe, Tanner Schmekel, and Ryder Varga each got through to Joseph. Jaxon Ford also had an interception for the Rams, while Josh White had another pair of tackles for loss and already has 4½ through the first two games of the season.
Rams quarterback Josh Donnelly threw three touchdowns, two of which went to D'Sean Mimbs and the other on a 48-yard connection to Riley Boersma. Sawyer Buettner had the other major for the Rams on a one-yard plunge just before halftime.
Both teams move to 1-1 with the result as they join Alberta and Saskatchewan in a four-way knot for second place in the Canada West standings. Both teams will have next weekend off before returning to action Saturday, Oct. 16 as the Rams will host UBC (0-2) and Calgary will travel to Manitoba (2-0) to face the lone remaining undefeated team in the conference.
