Last-play field goal sends Rams to fourth straight loss

It came down to the final play, but the University of Regina Rams dropped their fourth straight game Saturday.

Regina lost 27-26 to the Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg.

Bisons kicker Matt Riley hit only one of his two field-goal attempts in the game, but it was a 13-yard game-winner with no time left on the clock in the Canada West football showdown.

The Rams, who could have pulled into a tie with the Bisons with a win, dropped to 1-4-0. Regina hasn’t won since an opening-day 46-16 win over the UBC Thunderbirds.

Quarterback Josh Donnelly, who started after Seb Britton got the nod against the Calgary Dinos a week earlier, got the Rams off to a quick start. On the very first offensive snap of the game, Donnelly connected with wide receiver Kyle Moortgat for an 85-yard touchdown.

The Bisons answered quickly, with quarterback Des Catellier leading a drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown run by Logan Fischer.

Later in the first quarter, Manitoba pulled ahead when running back Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette — a former member of the PFC’s Regina Thunder — rushed for a five-yard score.

The Rams’ special teams blocked two Manitoba punts in a row in the second quarter, one of which was returned for a touchdown by defensive back Brandon Gandire.

Kicker Aldo Galvan converted on a 13-yard field-goal attempt to give Regina the lead. The Rams had a chance to enter halftime ahead, but Donnelly threw his second of two interceptions on the day.

The Bisons took advantage of the mistake, with Catellier connecting with wide receiver Trysten Dyce — another Thunder alumnus — for an eight-yard TD.

In the third quarter, Donnelly found receiver Daniel Scraper three times on a drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Scraper. The receiver added the convert.

But Manitoba found a way to make plays late in the game. Riley kicked a 13-yard field goal early in the fourth to get the Bisons within a point of the Rams.

The Rams nearly walked out of Manitoba with the win after defensive back Brandon Brooks intercepted Catellier in the Regina end zone. But Manitoba’s defence forced a punt and Catellier got the Bisons into field-goal range for Riley’s game-winner.

Donnelly finished 15-for-26 passing for 240 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Regina, which got two singles and two converts from Galvan.

The Rams are to host the Thunderbirds on Friday.