The University of Regina Rams (1-2) recorded their first win of the 2023 campaign on Saturday afternoon at a sun-soaked Mosaic Stadium, defeating the University of Calgary Dinos (0-3), 23-15, the final score.
It was a matchup of backup quarterbacks in Week 3 of the Canada West schedule. Veteran backup signal caller out of Calgary, Alberta, Bryden O’Flaherty, got the start for Regina in place of the injured Noah Pelletier. Second-year pivot, Xavier Valliancourt, got the start under centre for Calgary.
However, a first-year quarterback out of Langley, BC, Owen Sieben, provided the spark for the Green and Gold. Sieben entered the game late in the second quarter after O’Flaherty went down with an upper-body injury.
It didn’t take long for the young 6-foot-3 quarterback to get the offence on track. Sieben connected with D’Sean Mimbs for 38 yards, followed by a 35-yard strike to Emmett Steadman to set up a 1st and goal. Sieben capped the drive with his first career U Sports touchdown pass – finding Bennett Stusek from 8 yards out to make it 15-7 in favour of Calgary at the half.
Rams Head Coach Mark McConkey was pleased with Sieben’s poise coming off the bench.
“He is the real deal,” said McConkey, “in spring camp, he was good; in training camp, he was good; he answered the bell today.”
The Rams’ defence held Calgary off the scoreboard in the second half while Regina exploded on offence, guided by two touchdown plunges by short-yardage quarterback Brayden Wagg.
Owen Sieben finished the game 13-for-20 for 187 yards and one touchdown. McConkey will take the wait-and-see approach on who the Rams starter will be next week in Winnipeg.
“We will see where Noah (Pelletier) is at with his hip, and we’ll make that decision down the road,” said McConkey, “it’s nice to know we have two guys that can win us games.”
Regina will aim for their second win of the season at the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday, September 23rd at 1 PM on 620CKRM.
