REGINA, Sask. – University of Regina quarterback Cayman Shutter threw for 430 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams outscored the UBC Thunderbirds 13-3 in the final quarter to defeat the No. 7-ranked Thunderbirds 33-23 on opening night of the Canada West football season.

Tied at 20-20 heading into the final quarter, Shutter hit Addison Richards on a 41-yard touchdown strike to put the home side in front 27-20 with just under 15 minutes left in the game. It was Regina's first lead of the night. The Rams would add a pair of field goals from Andrew Fabian to seal the deal and earn the victory. All UBC could muster in the final frame was a 13-yard field goal from Quinn van Gylswyk.

"It was a good effort from our guys, but we did not make enough plays tonight," said UBC head coach Shawn Olson. "We made some crucial mistakes with some bad penalties and we were unable to capitalize on our chances in the red zone. Settling for field goals will not win games and that was the situation tonight."

Shutter, who threw for 2,428 yards last year in just seven starts, threw over the 400-yard mark for the fifth time in eight career starts in the CIS. Richards finished with nine catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns, while Jared Janotta also went over the century mark with six grabs for 114 yards. Regina finished with 534 yards of total offence, compared to just 345 for the Thunderbirds.

"We had our chances to get Shutter, but we just did not tackle him," said Olson. "Obviously we didn't play an exhibition game and tonight we were not quite at our best. We need to tackle better to have success."

UBC special teams scored the first touchdown of the game, as Riley Jones blocked a Fabian punt, scooped up the loose ball and ran 33 yards for the major to put the visitors in front 7-0 just 2:13 into the game.

van Gylswyk and Fabian would trade field goals later in the quarter to make it 10-3 UBC after 15 minutes of play.

After Justin Edralin picked off Carson Williams, the Rams drove down to the Thunderbirds one-yard line and from there Landon Buch punched it in on third and goal to tie the game at 10-10. Once again van Gylswyk and Fabian would trade field goals in the final minutes of the first half to send the two teams to the locker room tied at 13-13.

UBC came out of the gates in the second half on a mission. Williams orchestrated an impressive drive, going 3-for-3 for 67 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass to David Mann to put the Thunderbirds back in front 20-13. It was Mann's first career CIS catch and touchdown.

On the Rams ensuing drive Shutter had an answer, hooking up with Richards from 22 yards out for his first of two touchdown catches on the night, tying the game at 20-20 heading into the final quarter.

Offensively, the Thunderbirds failed to find their groove. Brandon Deschamps rushed for 49 yards on 13 carries, while Williams finished the night 17-30 for 220 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Josh Kronstrom led the receiving corps with six catches for 60 yards

van Gylswyk finished 2-for-4 on field goals, hitting from 21 and 13 yards and missing from 40 and 47 yards.

The Thunderbirds will be back in action next weekend for homecoming when they play host to the defending five-time defending Canada West champions from Calgary. The Dinos beat Alberta 71-3 Friday night to open their season. Kickoff next Saturday is 2 p.m. at David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium.

For more information about Homecoming and how to purchase your tickets, click here.