Rams look for first 7-1 mark in school history

The University of Regina Rams. (Piper Sports Photography/Regina Rams/X)

The Regina Rams (6-1), seventh in the U Sports national rankings, will close out their regular season Friday afternoon at Leibel Field against the UBC Thunderbirds (2-5).

A victory on Friday would make the Rams the first 7-1 team in school history.

Regina has already secured a top-two finish and will host one of the Canada West semifinal games next week against either Manitoba, Alberta or Calgary.

A Manitoba loss this weekend would also move Regina into first place. And a win by Saskatchewan would result in two Canada West teams going 7-1 which has happened only twice in the modern history of the conference.

Running back Marshall Ericsen broke the Rams’ single-season rushing touchdown record after scoring twice in a 22-20 victory over Alberta on Oct. 18, giving him 11 on the year. Another rushing touchdown would move Ericsen into a five-way tie for eighth on the Canada West all-time list.

Receiver Nicholas Sirleaf continues to lead Regina’s aerial attack. The third-year wideout surpassed 100 receiving yards for the fourth time this season, with six catches for 103 yards against Alberta. Sirleaf leads the Rams this season with 47 receptions for 655 yards and three touchdowns, ranking second in Canada West in both receptions and yards.

Slotback Renzel Arinaza has added 465 yards on 39 catches, giving Regina a chance to have two 500-yard receivers in a season for the first time since 2016 when Mitchell Picton, Ryan Schienbein and Riley Wilson each eclipsed the mark.

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Quarterback Owen Sieben is expected to start again Friday after throwing for 246 yards in last week’s victory.

Regina’s defence has registered 12 sacks on the year, led by linebacker Liam LaBelle with 3.5, while defensive back Liam Platt has two interceptions, the most by a Rams rookie since 2018.

The game kicks off at 1 p.m. at Liebel Field. You can watch the game online at Canada West TV.