CALGARY – The Regina Rams held the Calgary Dinos to just 214 yards of total offence en route to a commanding 30-7 victory Saturday afternoon at McMahon Stadium. 

On a windy, snowy day in Calgary, the Rams scored the opening 30 points of the game, moving to 5-2 on the season and booking a home playoff date in the Canada West playoffs. With the loss, the Dinos fall to 1-6, officially eliminating them from playoff contention. 

Regina quarterback Noah Pelletier had an efficient day in the victory, completing 14-of-22 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. 

After both offences struggled to find their footing in the first half, Regina's offence exploded in the second half, scoring three consecutive touchdowns, putting the game out of reach. 

Dinos head coach Wayne Harris was surprised his team didn't come out with more energy in the third quarter, especially after a strong first two quarters from the defence saw his squad trailing just 9-0 headed into the locker room.   

"We played a really good first half," explained Harris. "But we seemed to come out flat there in the third." 

The Rams were able to capitalize, starting with a 24-yard touchdown throw from Pelletier to Ethan Marshall midway through the third. Pelletier then threw his second of the day just a few minutes later, this one a 35-yard toss to Emmett Steadmen. 

An 11-yard touchdown run from Rams running back Marshall Erichsen early in the fourth quarter would be the final nail in the coffin for the Dinos. 

Calgary would score their lone touchdown of the day late in the fourth quarter after a blocked punt set them up well in Regina territory. The Dinos would cap the drive off with a two-yard Gob Deng run, making the final score 30-7. 

Offensively, the Dinos were unable to gain any momentum, but Harris knows that had a lot to do with the strength of their opponent.

"We knew that Regina has one of the better defences in the conference and that it was going to be a tough day," said Harris. "We knew we were going to have to take advantage of our opportunities, and we were unable to do that." 

Dinos quarterback Daniel Sananes threw for 126 yards and added 88 yards on the ground. Deng was the leading receiver for Calgary, finishing with 49 yards on five catches to go with his touchdown run.

Erichsen had a nice day on the ground for the Rams, finishing with 76 yards on 14 attempts, while Oliver Savard chipped in with 56 yards of his own. 

Defensively, Anthony Bennett was able to pick up a half-sack in the game, breaking the Regina school record for sacks in a season with seven total. 

For the Dinos, Jacob Biggs was all over the Rams receivers, breaking up three passes in the loss. 

With second place locked up, the Rams will host the Manitoba Bisons in the final week of the season while the Dinos will face a stiff test on the road against the undefeated Saskatchewan Huskies.  

-UC-