Regina, Saskatchewan - The Regina Rams outscored the UBC Thunderbirds 42-7 in the second half to defeat the Thunderbirds 49-20 Friday night at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. With the loss UBC falls to 0-2 on the year, while the Rams move to 1-1.
After leading 13-7 at the half, UBC was dominated in the second half, turning the ball over four times, allowing six touchdowns, and 42 points.
Regina scored on their opening drive of the game, as Dillon Dawson punched it in from six yards out to give the home side a 7-0 lead. However, after that the Rams first half drives resulted in a missed field goal, three punts, and an interception.
UBC's first points of the night came 49 seconds into the second quarter courtesy of
Thomas Moult. After a shaky opening week versus Manitoba, the Thunderbirds kicker was solid booting a 38 yarder to cut the lead to 7-3.
On their next possession, Greene went to work, hooking up with
Daniel English on a 48 yard pass and catch to put the Thunderbirds in Rams territory. Greene capped it off with 24 yard touchdown pass to
Micha Theil to put the 'Birds up 10-7. It took just six plays to go 78 yards.
Brandon Deschamps put the 'Birds back in the red zone with a 28 yard run up the gut. However, UBC was unable to cross the goal line and would have to settle for a 15 yard field goal from Moult to move ahead 13-7. That is how things would stand after the first half.
The third quarter was the difference in this game as the Thunderbirds turned the ball over three times (2 interceptions and 1 fumble) and the Rams capitalized putting up 21 points to lead 28-13 after three quarters.
Michael Kiapway scored a pair of touchdowns on a 41 yard run and a 2 yard run and Marc Mueller hooked up with Landon Buch on a 28 yard touchdown pass for the points in the third frame.
The Rams continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter as Mueller hooked up with Jared Janotta on a six yard toudhdown pass to make it 35-13 Regina. On their next drive, Kolten Solomon took a screen pass 44 yards for the major to give the Rams a 29 point lead. That would spell the end of the night for Mueller. he finished 16-24, 241 yards passing, three touchdowns, and one interception.
After an impressive first half in which he threw for 199 yards and a touchdown,
Billy Greene struggled in the second half managing just 8 yards passing, while throwing three interceptions. He would leave the game in the fourth quarter and was replaced by
Dominik Bundschuh.
Bunschuh's first pass was picked off by Jamir Walker who returned it 22 yards for a touchdown and a 49-13 Rams lead.
UBC would not quit though as English scored on a 10 yard run to cut the lead to 49-20. English also had 2 catches for 86 yards on the night.
49-20 was the final score.
The Thunderbirds are back in action next Saturday September 15 when they play host to the Saskatchewan Huskies for homecoming. Game time is 2:00 pm at Thunderbird Stadium.
