FB: Rams defeated by UBC in Canada West semifinal
November 5, 2022
Keijaun Johnson's fourth-quarter interception paved the way for what would be the game-winning touchdown as the UBC Thunderbirds took a 28-14 road victory over the Regina Rams in a Canada West semifinal at Mosaic Stadium.
With the game tied 14-14 midway through the fourth, Johnson stepped in front of a Noah Pelletier pass near midfield and returned it all the way down to Regina's 4-yard line. Two plays later, Lucas Mastrodomenico was in the end zone to put UBC up by a score.
The Rams were stopped on a third-down gamble on the ensuing drive, and a 27-yard touchdown run by Dane Kapler a two drives later all but sealed the win for UBC.
The No. 3-seeded Thunderbirds will travel right back to No. 1-seeded Saskatchewan for the Hardy Cup next Saturday afternoon. They'll face the first-place Huskies, who won their semifinal handily over Manitoba earlier in the day.
UBC pivot Derek Engel was 12-for-29 with 176 yards including a 46-yard touchdown strike to Shemar McBean in the first quarter, while Kapler was the game's leading rusher with 15 carries for 71 yards. UBC's defence, which didn't concede a touchdown in the win, was led by Lake Korte-Moore who had 7.5 tackles, a pair of pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss, and forced a fumble.
Donovin Small scored the lone touchdown of the game for Regina. He blocked a desperation punt attempt after a botched snap on a UBC field goal try, then scooped up the ball and rumbled 58 yards for a major on what was the longest fumble return in U of R postseason history.
That score gave Regina a 14-12 lead at the half, but it was also the Rams' final points of the game. Aldo Galvan accounted for the U of R's other seven points on a pair of field goals and a rouge on the game's opening kickoff.
Pelletier was 15-for-32 and finished with 147 passing yards, almost half of which went to D'Sean Mimbs who led all players in both receptions (6) and receiving yards (71).
Small also had a pair of pass breakups, while Josh White led all players in tackles with five solo and 10 assisted. Anthony Bennett registered the game's only sack.
UBC and Saskatchewan will kick off the 85th Hardy Cup next Saturday at 1:00 PM in Saskatoon.
With the game tied 14-14 midway through the fourth, Johnson stepped in front of a Noah Pelletier pass near midfield and returned it all the way down to Regina's 4-yard line. Two plays later, Lucas Mastrodomenico was in the end zone to put UBC up by a score.
The Rams were stopped on a third-down gamble on the ensuing drive, and a 27-yard touchdown run by Dane Kapler a two drives later all but sealed the win for UBC.
The No. 3-seeded Thunderbirds will travel right back to No. 1-seeded Saskatchewan for the Hardy Cup next Saturday afternoon. They'll face the first-place Huskies, who won their semifinal handily over Manitoba earlier in the day.
UBC pivot Derek Engel was 12-for-29 with 176 yards including a 46-yard touchdown strike to Shemar McBean in the first quarter, while Kapler was the game's leading rusher with 15 carries for 71 yards. UBC's defence, which didn't concede a touchdown in the win, was led by Lake Korte-Moore who had 7.5 tackles, a pair of pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss, and forced a fumble.
Donovin Small scored the lone touchdown of the game for Regina. He blocked a desperation punt attempt after a botched snap on a UBC field goal try, then scooped up the ball and rumbled 58 yards for a major on what was the longest fumble return in U of R postseason history.
That score gave Regina a 14-12 lead at the half, but it was also the Rams' final points of the game. Aldo Galvan accounted for the U of R's other seven points on a pair of field goals and a rouge on the game's opening kickoff.
Pelletier was 15-for-32 and finished with 147 passing yards, almost half of which went to D'Sean Mimbs who led all players in both receptions (6) and receiving yards (71).
Small also had a pair of pass breakups, while Josh White led all players in tackles with five solo and 10 assisted. Anthony Bennett registered the game's only sack.
UBC and Saskatchewan will kick off the 85th Hardy Cup next Saturday at 1:00 PM in Saskatoon.