Footballers get rammed

By Todd Penney

The woeful Regina Rams were at McMahon Sat., Oct. 4 to take on the Dinos football squad. The Dinos were looking to overcome an embarrassing loss to the best-in-the-West University of Saskatchewan Huskies last week. Lady Luck was not on the Dinos side however, as they dropped a 21-point lead and lost their first home game of the season 37-35.


The game was all Dinos for the first half and a good portion of the third quarter. The offense posted big numbers both on the ground and in the air.


Running back Jeff Williams had an excellent game, carrying the ball for 88 yards on only nine carries, scoring two touchdowns. It was also a great game for running back Aneel Brar, except for a late-game fumble allowing Regina to score on the ensuing series. Brar gained 88 yards on 14 touches and had one touchdown.


From the air, Calgary quarterback Chuck Guedo connected with slotback Andrew Lunse seven times for 120 yards including an epic 48-yard toss in the second quarter for a score. Second-year receiver Joel Ford also recorded a noteworthy game obtaining 37 yards on four receptions.


The defense did well in the first half only allowing six Ram points. However, in the second half, things turned ugly.


In the third quarter, Calgary was caught deep in their own zone and forced to punt. Rams punt returner Chris Ashman dashed and swerved his way to a 31-yard return putting Calgary in bad field position, something the team has struggled with time and time again.


The Rams scored on the ensuing drive.


Less than two minutes later, Guedo was intercepted by Rams linebacker Craig Zimmer who ran the pick back 27 yards for a TD.


All of a sudden it was a football game. Regina got the ball rolling right over the Dinos, adding a field goal and two touchdowns from the Calgary one-yard line. Calgary showed vital signs at one point, scoring on a Jeff Williams run.


Surprisingly, the very capable Dinos defense allowed the Rams to get on a roll and failed to stuff the rush at critical times, something they are normally very good at.


A big problem for the Dinos is inconsistency, being either a first or second half team. They have the potential to put all their many flashes of brilliance into a full 60-minute game but they have yet to achieve it.


Once again, the Canada West officials proved they can be atrocious at times with a call made near the end of the game.


One of the officials blew his whistle by accident on Dinos kicker Matt Nimik’s failed field goal attempt. After some deliberation, Nimik was allowed another kick, which was good. The referees then decided the Rams had the option of choosing between the first kick attempt and the re-kick. Since Nimik missed the first attempt, Regina opted for the failed kick and the game ended in a bitter 37-35 loss for the Dinos.


The decisions by the officials in this case were completely ridiculous and decided the game. Someone should be checking credentials here.


The Dinos will definitely be looking to avenge this one in their upcoming scrum with the University of Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton Fri., Oct. 10.