Rams outlast Bisons in 2OT to reach BioSteel Hardy Cup

REGINA – Rookie kicker Ty Gorniak drilled a 35-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime, then hit the eventual game-winner in double OT as the Regina Rams survived a scare from the Manitoba Bisons 32-29 in a Canada West football semifinal Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium.

The win sees the Rams advance to their second straight BioSteel Hardy Cup, where they'll have a chance to defend last year's conference title in a rematch against bitter rival Saskatchewan. 

Gorniak's nerves of steel proved the difference. The first-year kicker went a perfect five-for-five on field goals, matching Aldo Galvan's program record for most in a game and becoming the first in school history to achieve a flawless 5-for-5 outing.

The clutch performance capped a remarkable comeback for the Rams, who trailed by three with less than a minute to play before marching the length of the field to tie the game. Quarterback Owen Sieben completed three straight passes — including a 28-yard strike to Emmett Steadman — to set up Gorniak's game-tying kick with no time on the clock.

The teams traded short field goals in the first overtime, with both defences standing firm. In the second overtime, Gorniak stayed perfect, connecting from 38 yards to put Regina ahead 32-29. Manitoba's reply from 23 yards out struck the left upright, sealing the Rams' spot in the BioSteel Hardy Cup for the second straight season.

It was the first postseason game in Rams history to go to overtime.

"It was a hard-fought playoff win that took all three phases to come up with plays when it mattered most," said Rams head coach Mark McConkey. "We'll enjoy this one for a few minutes and then get refocused on next week's game against the U of S."

The Rams couldn't have asked for a better start. Quinton Fettes ignited the home crowd with a 67-yard kickoff return on the opening play, setting up a 30-yard touchdown run by star back Marshall Erichsen just 54 seconds into the game.

Manitoba answered quickly as quarterback Jackson Tachinski led a five-play drive capped by a five-yard touchdown run to tie it 7-7.

Regina extended its lead after the Bisons conceded a safety and the Rams engineered an 11-play, 73-yard march capped by a one-yard plunge from Noah Pelletier. Gorniak added a field goal to make it 19-7 before Manitoba clawed back with a blocked punt that led to a short Maya Turner field goal, and a Regina fumble that set up a 26-yard touchdown catch by Nathan Udoh. The Rams led 19-17 at halftime.

Gorniak's third field goal of the night stretched the lead to 22-17 in the third quarter, but Tachinski rallied the Bisons with a 32-yard strike to Udoh for a 23-22 lead. Regina tied it on a single point from a booming Isaac Wegner punt, but Manitoba regained the advantage on a short Turner field goal with just 33 seconds left — setting up Sieben's clutch late-game drive.

Sieben completed 27 of 34 passes for 237 yards — the second-highest single-game completion rate in school history and the best ever by a Regina quarterback in the playoffs. He also added 29 rushing yards.

Erichsen totalled 153 all-purpose yards before leaving in the third quarter with an injury, while Christian Katende picked up 67 rushing yards in relief. Rylan Sokul led all receivers with 61 yards on six catches.

On defence, Carson Sombach led the Rams in tackles and broke up Tachinski's two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter. Max Polischuk added an interception and pass breakup, while Kaeden Brennan, Brandon Wong and Owen Zimmer chipped in key stops.

The Rams will travel to Saskatoon next Saturday to face the Saskatchewan Huskies in the 88th BioSteel Hardy Cup. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium.