Rams beat Dinos for first win of Canada West football season

The University of Regina Rams got their first win of the Canada West football season Saturday, beating the University of Calgary Dinos 23-15 at Mosaic Stadium.

Rams quarterback Bryden O’Flaherty went down with an injury late in the second quarter, prompting first-year quarterback Owen Sieben to take the field.

O’Flaherty was 6-for-12 with 64 yards passing at that point.

Sieben finished the game with 187 yards passing and a touchdown while completing 13 of 20 attempts.

“The young kid went in, did a great job and everyone kind of rallied around him and I’m just happy for the team,” said Rams head coach Mark McConkey. “Everyone worked so hard, I’m just glad we’re rewarded with a win.”

Rams receivers D’Sean Mimbs and Emmett Steadman had 62 and 57 yards apiece as Regina improved to 1-2-0.

Xavier Vaillancourt finished the game with 251 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception for the Dinos (0-3-0).

It was also a big day for Rams running back Marshall Erichsen, who ran for 122 yards while averaging seven yards per carry. Erichsen also caught a 29-yard pass.

Rams linebacker Brayden Wagg made plays on both sides of the ball.

Wagg went in at quarterback at the goal line and scored two touchdowns. He also had 4.5 tackles and a tackle for loss.

After scoring a rouge early in the first quarter, the Rams found themselves trailing for most of the game.

The Dinos were winning 15-1 late in the second quarter thanks to a rouge of their own by kicker/punter Chris MacLean — plus 74- and 30-yard touchdown catches, respectively, by receivers Gob Deng and Ben Gagnon.

Deng finished the game with 91 yards on three catches while Gagnon finished with 52 yards on five receptions. The Dinos also saw a productive outing from receiver Matt Sibley, who had 75 yards on seven grabs.

Bennett Stusek caught the Rams’ first touchdown, but kicker Aldo Galvan’s PAT was blocked.

Galvan hit a field goal midway through the fourth to give the Rams their first lead since the beginning of the game.

Wagg’s second touchdown with 1:28 left in the game helped seal the deal for the Rams, putting them up 23-15, though Galvan’s point-after was blocked.

Other key contributors included linebacker Josh White, who had 5.5 tackles including one for a loss. White also recovered a late fumble by Vaillancourt that set the offence up for its final touchdown.

Rams linebacker Cameron Mah had five tackles and so did defensive back Max Polischuk, who had a key pass breakup midway through the fourth quarter.

Rams DB Justin Mckerracher had a second-quarter interception.

For the Dinos, linebacker Sauce Odemwingie led the team in tackles with seven followed by defensive backs Nate Beauchemin and Ben Dobson who had 6.5 and 5 respectively.

Though the Rams got the win, the team committed 160 yards worth of penalties on 15 infractions, much to the frustration of McConkey.

“(I’m) not too happy about some of the penalties that we did take,” McConkey said. “Those will be addressed, I’ll tell you that.”

Still, McConkey said he was relieved to win the game.

“(I’m) proud of the coaches, proud of the team and it was a battle,” he said. “It wasn’t easy and we fought right until the end and everyone just kind of came together. It’s so nice to get that W.”

McConkey said the team will learn more about O’Flaherty’s injury following an assessment by the team doctor.