REGINA, Sask. – Under the lights of Mosaic Stadium Friday night (Sept. 6) the Regina Rams displayed a potent passing attack which led them to 33-28 victory over the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies.
Finishing the game with 359 yards through the air, and 436 of total offence, the Rams outscored the Dogs 11-0 in the second half on their way to their second win of the season. For the Huskies, the loss marked the first loss to their provincial rivals in eight meetings dating back to 2017.
The game opened with the visiting Dogs down early after seeing Rams quarterback Noah Pelletier connect with D'Sean Mimbs for a 45-yard major on their second play from scrimmage.
Two possessions later the Saskatchewan defence kicked things off for the Huskies when defensive back Tazen Smith-Windsor knocked the ball from Jevon Garwood and veteran
Katley Joseph made the recovery.
Quarterback
Anton Amundrud returned to the field and led an 8-play, 50-yard drive which culminated in a 6-yard strike to standout pass catcher
Daniel Wiebe.
Wiebe would go on to finish the game with 5 receptions for 103 yards and two trips to the endzone as the fourth-year product of Saskatoon continues his impressive start to the season.
After the Rams opened the second quarter with a 43-yard touchdown followed by an interception the Huskies found themselves trailing by two scores.
After lineebackers
Lane Novak and
Jayden Engel combined for a forced fumble and recovery,
Daniel Wiebe was back at it on offence. This time the taking a screen pass 60 yards to the endzone to cut the Regina lead to eight.
After the Huskie defence forced a two-and-out, it was the special teams unit coming up with a big play. Second-year business major
Ethan Laing broke through the Ram line and made a diving block on the punt attempt. Running back
Kayden Miller picked up the loose ball and made his way into the endzone.
After another two-play drive forced by a stout Saskatchewan defence, the Huskie offence returned to the field with just over a minute remaining.
Anton Amundrud would find
Jesse Kuntz for a 22-yard strike to put the ball on the one-yard line and set up the first rushing touchdown from
Ryker Frank of the campaign.
Amundrud would finish the game with another productive performance through the air. The field general from Lloydminster completed 22-of-33 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
Leading 28-22 after returning for the third quarter, the Saskatchewan defence returned to their impressive play seen just prior to halftime. Unfortunately for the Huskie offence, the Regina defence also returned to their strong play.
With both defences holding their own, the third quarter saw just one point go up on the scoreboard after the two teams combined for three punts and a turnover on downs.
Trailing the Dogs by five at the start of the fourth quarter, the Rams immediately turned things up on offence, going 67 yards in four plays to retake the lead 31-28.
Backed up in the shadow of their own endzone on their next possession, the Huskies were forced to concede a safety making it a 5-point game in favour of the home team.
Unable to generate anything on offence the Huskies saw themselves in a do-or-die situation with under a minute left to play. Despite moving the ball to the Regina 34, the Rams defence would force a turnover on downs to seal the win.
With the loss the Huskies fall to 0-2 on the season, while the Rams improve to 2-0 to beging the 2024 campaign.
UP NEXT
The Huskies will return to Saskatoon for their 2024 home-opener and the University of Saskatchewan's annual homecoming game on Friday, September 13. Kickoff is set for 7pm at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park with the Calgary Dinos visiting for the first of two meetings between the teams.
Tickets to Homecoming are available online at huskietickets.com. Fans unable to attend can catch Huskie Football action live online at CanadaWest.TV.
