WINNIPEG -- Despite shutting out the University of Manitoba until the final two minutes of the first half Saturday, the University of Regina suffered a 22-13 loss at Princess Auto Stadium.
Leading 6-0 and in control early, the Bisons took the lead with a Breydon Stubbs late first half touchdown and never trailed again.
After giving up more than 200 yards along the ground, and the Rams defence was on the field for over 10 minutes longer than the offence for a second straight week. Although, Regina did not coming away as discouraged as the Rams were in Edmonton a week earlier.
This game was close and despite many defensive injuries, came down to the final three minutes. Rams linebacker Chopper Hippe blames the loss on the team's failure to stop Manitoba on second down.
“It's being able to close out those second-and-sixes,” Hippe said. ”We had them in tough spots, and we’ve just got to be able to close those out.”
It’s been an unseasonably hot weekend on the prairies and that was evident in the Winnipeg heat Friday and Saturday before the Rams injuries on defence, including cramping, started to mount in their Week 5 clash with the Bisons. Hippe wasn’t making excuses but agreed that the injuries were getting them off the game plan.
“I think that's something that we've got to work on as a team. I've had that issue myself in the past. Not so much anymore, but we’ve just got to be able to hydrate and then find other solutions. Sometimes hydration isn't always the answer either,” Hippe said.
“I think we can compete with anyone. Everyone's good in the league. Whoever comes out and really performs on that Friday or Saturday -- we’ve got to be able to show up on those days.”
The third straight loss drops the Rams below .500 for the first time this season at 2-3 into a three-way tie with Saskatchewan and Alberta for third place in Canada West.
Regina's next game goes Saturday, October 5 versus the University of Calgary Dinos at Mosaic Stadium.
