Rams put on dominating display in final game of year

Josh Donnelly threw four touchdown passes to power the University of Regina Rams to a 47-14 win over the University of Manitoba Bisons in Canada West football action Friday at Leibel Field.

Regina won its final two regular-season games in dominant fashion but, with a 3-5 record, will nonetheless miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

The Rams’ three victories were by a combined score of 124-47. Donnelly threw two touchdown passes to Riley Boersma and single scoring strikes to Kyle Moortgat and Ryan Schienbein. The latter two receivers played their final games with the Rams on Friday. Moortgat caught 11 passes for 185 yards. Schienbein added four receptions for 50 yards.

Schienbein finished second in U of R Rams history in catches (184) and receiving yards (2,461). He was tied for third in touchdown catches (19) with Jason Clermont.

Sam Varao rushed for 120 yards on 16 carries for the Rams, who had snapped a five-game losing streak six days earlier by defeating the host University of Alberta Golden Bears 31-17.

Regina piled up 552 yards — including 338 through the air by Donnelly — to Manitoba’s 280. The Rams’ Robbie Lowes had a fumble recovery, an interception and a blocked punt.

Five members of the Regina Thunder have won PFC awards.

Logan Ferland, who was named an all-star for the fourth consecutive season, was named the league’s outstanding offensive lineman.

Also honoured were Isaac Foord (outstanding receiver), Blake Scherle (outstanding quarterback), Carson Bell (outstanding defensive lineman) and defensive back Justin Mckerracher (rookie of the year).

Along with Ferland, Scherle, Bell and Foord, Thunder players Ethan Douglas (receiver) and Davin Williamson (linebacker), Brandyn Martin (defensive back) and Eric Maximuik (punter) made the all-star team.