In a high-stakes football weekend, the University of Regina Rams (1-4) will host the University of Manitoba Bisons on Saturday.
The Bisons (2-3) lead the Rams (1-4) for the final spot in the Canada West Football Conference race. Manitoba also holds the tie-breaker after defeating the Rams 27-24 2OT in Winnipeg last month.
Regina needs to beat the Bisons on Saturday by four points to win the season series and gain the tie-breaker.
Rams Head Coach Mark McConkey joined Michael Ball on the Sportscage earlier this week. McConkey feels the Rams have lost some games this season they could’ve won but added that his squad is a relentless group.
“They never really quit, they’re working hard.”
McConkey adds the Ram’s inexperience has cost them at times this season but thinks the green and gold are getting better each week.
Regina ran into injury problems with Noah Pelletier and Bryden O’Flaherty going down. But McConkey notes Owen Sieben has done a great job as a true freshman at QB.
“He’s done a really nice job of seeing the field, delivering the ball, extending plays, we knew that when we recruited him, we knew he was quite a good quarterback but I didn’t think it would come together this fast for him.”
According to McConkey, running back Marshall Erichsen, a first-year player, has also stepped up.
“He’s like our homerun hitter. He likes to bounce things and get to the outside and use his speed “
With playoffs on the line, the Rams must win by four points this weekend and likely win one more game to secure a playoff spot, says the head coach.
“One game at a time is our mentality.”
Next week, the Rams travel to Vancouver to meet the UBC Thunderbirds. Regina will close the season at home against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday, October 28.
Coverage of tomorrow’s game on 620 CKRM with Sean Kleisinger begins at 1:45 p.m. Kickoff is at 2:00 p.m.
