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The University of Regina Rams beat the Manitoba Bisons to qualify for the 2024 Hardy Cup on Nov. 2, 2024. Pictured is defensive lineman Tarick Polius. (Piper Sports Photography/Submitted)

Rams, Huskies both pull off dramatic wins, set up all-Sask. Hardy Cup

By Britton Gray Nov 2, 2024 | 4:28 PM

Thanks to a pair of crazy finishes, it will be an all-Saskatchewan Hardy Cup.

The University of Regina Rams knocked off Canada West’s best Manitoba Bisons with a touchdown pass with just 19 seconds left in the game.

Meanwhile, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit ∞ which included an onside kick recovery with one minute remaining — to beat the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 38-33.

The Huskies will host the Rams in the Hardy Cup on Nov. 9.

Rams beat 7-1 Bisons with late touchdown pass

With just 19 seconds left in the game, Rams quarterback Noah Pelletier connected with Nicholas Sirleaf for a 16-yard touchdown to give the U of R the 28-25 win over the 7-1 Manitoba Bisons at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man.

The touchdown pass was Pelletier’s second of the day to go along with 207 yards and no interceptions.

While the Bisons were the top team in Canada West, the Rams needed a 228 yard and two touchdown rushing performance from Christian Katende in the final week of the regular season to beat the University of Alberta Golden Bears 29-22 to just qualify for the postseason.

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The Rams scored first in the contest, as Pellettier ran the ball in from one yard out for the first score.

Manitoba answered with a field goal from Maya Turner to get onto the board.

The Rams scored the next three points in the game after Manitoba conceded a safety, and then Rams punter Issac Wegner added a punt-single.

The Rams surrendered a safety themselves in the second quarter and Turner added another field goal as the score was 10-8 headed into halftime.

The U of R conceded another safety, which allowed Manitoba to tie the game.

Manitoba scored their first touchdown of the game around midway through the third quarter with quarterback Jackson Tachinski running it from eight yards out.

U of R answered before the end of the third quarter with D’Sean Mimbs hauling in a touchdown pass from Pelletier to tie the game at 17.

Wegner added a rouge on the kickoff.

The Rams then conceded their third safety of the game, which allowed Manitoba to take the lead.

With 6:55 left in the game, Wegner hit a 30-yard field goal to take a 21-19 lead.

Manitoba answered back quickly with a 58-yard touchdown run by Breydon Stubbs.

But with the game on the line, Pelletier orchestrated an 11-play, 101-yard drive that ended with the Sirleaf touchdown to win the game.

The Rams defence also forced a number of turnovers, recovering three fumbles in the game to go along with an interception by Garret Hatchard.

Huskies win in dramatic fashion in B.C.

The Huskies scored 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to punch their ticket to the Hardy Cup.

Ercy Avul caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Anton Amundrud with a minute left to go in the game.

The Huskies then recovered the onside kick and drove 52 yards in just 25 seconds, capped off with a Ryker Frank one-yard run, stunning the Thunderbirds in B.C.

Frank had 192 yards and two touchdowns in the win, as Amundrud added 381 yards and a touchdown — 186 of those yards were hauled in by Rhett Vavra.

UBC appeared poised to go into halftime with a 21-13 lead after Sam Davenport connected with Garrett Rooker for a 75-yard touchdown.

But the Huskies responded by going 85 yards in six plays, which was punctuated by a Frank one-yard touchdown run.

The Thunderbirds scored 12 points in the third quarter to 33-20 lead but the Huskies stormed back to earn the hard-fought win.

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