It was a season that was flipped upside down for the Rams, who were officially eliminated following a 58-6 loss to the Calgary Dinos Friday night.
The Rams forfeited three wins after an ineligible player dressed during the first five games of the season. Due to the U Sports sanctions, the Rams needed to win their final three games of the season in order to have a chance at making the playoffs.
The Rams turned to rookie Josh Donnelly as their quarterback after Noah Picton was ruled out for the second straight game due to a foot injury.
The LeBoldus High School product started the game off strong with a 36-yard connection to Ryan Schienbein.
But the undefeated Dinos took over in the first half, with big plays helping the Dinos to a 40-6 halftime lead.
Three different Calgary players threw a touchdown pass in the first half — Adam Sinagra with two, Josiah Joseph with one and one more thrown by Justin Julien.
Sinagra torched the Rams secondary, throwing for over 350 yards in the opening half.
Things didn’t get better for the Rams in the second-half, as the offence was unable to find the end zone.
Donnelly, who didn’t throw an interception in the first half, was picked off twice by the Calgary defence in the second, including a 110-yard pick six.
Colton Hippe was eventually inserted into the game in the fourth quarter. Donnelly finished the game with 243 yards.
Sinagra, who is chasing Picton’s single-season passing yards record, ended up throwing for 428 yards.
The loss put the Rams record to 1-6 and eliminated them from playoff contention.
The Rams will meet the University of Saskatchewan Huskies next week at Mosaic Stadium to finish of their 2018 campaign.