Regina Rams clinch playoff spot with win over Manitoba

The Regina Rams are heading to the playoffs, and Carter Ashman made sure they wouldn’t need any help getting there.

The first-year running back scored two touchdowns and piled up 258 yards from scrimmage as the Rams defeated the Manitoba Bisons 26-15 in Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon.

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The win moves Regina to 4-4, securing third place in Canada West and setting up a playoff matchup with the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon on Nov. 7.

Heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale, the Rams controlled their own playoff destiny. A win guaranteed them a postseason berth, while a loss would have left them relying on Alberta to beat Calgary.

Regina wasted little time getting started.

The Rams opened the game with a 10-play, 82-yard drive that took just over six minutes off the clock. Ashman capped it off with a four-yard touchdown run, giving Regina a 7-0 lead.

Manitoba got on the board later in the opening quarter when the Rams conceded a safety, cutting the lead to 7-2.

But Regina’s defence and special teams helped make sure the Bisons couldn’t get much closer before halftime.

Kicker Ty Gorniak connected on field goals from 43 and 39 yards in the second quarter, while Manitoba struggled to capitalize on its opportunities.

The Bisons missed two field-goal attempts in the quarter, including a 32-yard attempt that was blocked just before halftime.

Regina carried a 13-2 lead into the break and extended that advantage in the third quarter when Ashman found the end zone again, this time on a 12-yard run, pushing the score to 20-2.

Ashman finished the afternoon with 174 rushing yards on 29 carries, averaging six yards per attempt. He also caught four passes for another 84 yards, including a 54-yard reception.

Entering Saturday’s game, Ashman had already set the University of Regina’s first-year rushing record with 602 yards. His performance against Manitoba brings his regular-season total to 776.

But Manitoba wasn’t ready to go quietly.

Bisons quarterback Cole Anseeuw connected with Nathan Udoh for a 25-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, cutting Regina’s lead to 20-8.

Then, just 20 seconds into the fourth quarter, Anseeuw found Mikun Odunuga for a 10-yard touchdown.
Suddenly, what had been an 18-point Regina lead was down to just five.

Despite Manitoba’s comeback, the Rams found a way to respond. Gorniak connected on a 27-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter, extending Regina’s advantage to 23-15.

With time winding down, Ashman helped the Rams move the ball downfield, including a 14-yard run that brought Regina deep into Manitoba territory.

Gorniak then added a 22-yard field goal with 31 seconds remaining, sealing the 26-15 victory.

The Regina kicker finished the afternoon making four of his five field-goal attempts, with his only miss coming on a 37-yard kick that struck the upright.

It was also a record-setting afternoon for Gorniak. He entered the game with 19 field goals this season, one shy of the Rams’ single-season record of 20 set by Perri Scarcelli in 2009. His four successful kicks brought his season total to 23, setting a new school record.

Quarterback Owen Sieben completed 15 of 19 passes for 208 yards and one interception. Nicholas Sirleaf added three receptions for 52 yards, while Darius Crandell caught two passes for 33 yards.

On the other side, Anseeuw completed 23 of 29 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns.

Odunuga led Manitoba’s receivers with seven catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, while Udoh finished with five receptions for 69 yards and a score.

Missed opportunities proved costly for the Bisons. Manitoba went 0-for-3 on field-goal attempts, and Regina blocked two of those kicks.

The Rams also found success on the ground when they needed it most, rushing for 97 yards in the fourth quarter alone.

Defensively, Owen Zimmer led Regina with seven total tackles, while Colin McKellar and Mike Zalaski each recorded six.

The victory also gives Regina a sweep of its regular-season meetings with Manitoba after the Rams defeated the Bisons 23-8 at Leibel Field in September.

Now the focus shifts to Saskatchewan. The Rams and Huskies met earlier this season, with Saskatchewan coming away with a 38-31 victory in Regina on Sept. 26.

This time, a trip further into the Canada West playoffs will be on the line.