Huskies clinch postseason spot with 22-20 win over Rams
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University of Regina's playoff hopes are still alive despite the loss in Saskatoon.
The stakes were high at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on Saturday with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and University of Regina Rams fighting for their playoff lives in a wide open Canada West.
The Huskies started off hot, with a historic touchdown from running back Ryker Frank — his 21st rushing touchdown on the season and a new Huskies record.
“I didn’t know I was that close, to be honest,” said Frank. “That’s a very good feeling, I feel very special.”
The Rams clawed their way back into the game with three field goals and a safety, giving them an 11-10 lead at the half.
A Huskies safety, and a Rams single point and safety in the third quarter saw the Rams walk into the 4th quarter with a 14-12 lead.
Huskies took the lead with a Lukas Scott field goal and a Daniel Weibe touchdown in the fourth quarter.
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The Rams did have a trick up their sleeves, as quarterback Noah Pelletier tossed the ball off to wide receiver Emmett Steadman, who then aired it out back to Pelletier in the end zone. With Regina missing a two point conversion, Huskies were able to ride a 22-20 lead until the final whistle.
“We’ve had that one for a few weeks,” said Rams head coach Mark McConkey. “I was like, ‘let’s do it, we gotta score’, and fortunately we got that, but unfortunately we didn’t get the two point convert.”
It’s a tough loss for Regina, who started the year 2-0, but have since dropped five straight games.
“It’s a hard loss, I hate losing to the U of S — I don’t like the U of S, they don’t like us,” said McConkey.
The Rams’ playoff hopes are still alive, but they are hanging on by a thread, and play the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Friday.
The win guaranteed the Huskies a spot in the playoffs, but the team still has to battle for the shot at a home playoff game. The team heads Calgary to take on the Dinos next Saturday.
“We want to be the ones that decide our fate,” said Frank. “We’re gonna go into Calgary with our hair on fire, and for sure secure that playoff spot.”
It wasn’t the most offensive game for either side — the Rams ended with three field goals, two safeties, a single point and one touchdown, while the Huskies ended with two field goals, one safety and two touchdowns.
“It just felt like, beyond the second quarter, even coming out in the third quarter, we didn’t really establish the line of scrimmage as well as I had hoped,” said Huskies head coach Scott Flory.
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