Game Information

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Date: Friday, Sept. 13
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Regina, SK
Venue: Mosaic Stadium
Watch: SaskTel Max / Canadawest.tv
Listen: CJWW 600
 
SASKATOON – Following a convincing 44-7 win in week two, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies will chase back-to-back wins when they travel south on Highway 11 to take on their provincial rival Regina Rams at Mosaic Stadium in a clash of 1-1 programs.
 
After falling out of the U SPORTS Top Ten with a week one loss, Saskatchewan is back in the national rankings at number nine after their thrashing of the Thunderbirds in their home opener.
 
The Rams meanwhile, fell from number seven to outside of the national rankings with their 17-16 loss to the Alberta Golden Bears at Mosaic Stadium. Regina led 16-8 at halftime, but nine unanswered Alberta points in the third quarter, followed by being shutout in the fourth, caused the hosts to fall short in their home opener.
 
The Huskies, who won both matchups against the Rams last season, will be looking to pick up their third consecutive victory against their southern foe. Saskatchewan has had Regina's number over the past six seasons, with the Huskies winning eight of their last ten meetings against the Rams dating back to Aug. 30, 2013.
 
Saskatchewan will look to move to 2-1 with a victory, a record they have started the season out with for the last three years.
 
5 Things
 
1: This week's match in Regina will serve as the lone matchup of the regular season between the Huskies and Rams.
 
2: Adam Machart was named the Canada West offensive player of the week. The Saskatoon native had the best game of his Huskie career in week two, totalling 134 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, while chipping in five receptions for 39 yards. In Machart's last matchup against the Rams, he carried the rock for 87 yards and a touchdown, to go along with two receptions for 49 yards and a receiving major.
 
3: After spending two seasons along the Rams defensive line, Nicholas Dheilly will suit up against his former team for the first time on Friday night. Dheilly will be looking to chase after his former high school teammate and Rams quarterback Josh Donnelly all night long. Donnelly and Dheilly attended Dr. Martin Leboldus High School in Regina, where each were a part of the 2015 RHSAA 4A City Champion and SHSAA 4A Provincial Champion teams for the Golden Suns.
 
4: Mason Nyhus, who was born and raised in Regina, will make his first start in his hometown at the Canada West level on Friday night. Nyhus was sharp in mop-up duty in week eight action last season in Regina, compiling 104 yards and a touchdown on 8-10 passing.
 
5: Donnelly and Nyhus, a pair of first-year starters, sit first and second in the Canada West in passing yards. Donnelly has racked up 718 passing yards through two weeks, while Nyhus has thrown for 619 passing yards.

By the Numbers
 
33 – Regina leads the conference with 33 points against this season.

153 – Second-year receiver Daniel Perry leads the Canada West with 153 punt return yards this season, which includes his 75-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Thunderbirds. The Calgary native is averaging 11.8 yards-per-return this season, which is second in the conference.

983 – The Huskies lead the Canada West with 983 total yards through two weeks.
 
100.0 – David Solie is 4-4 in his first season as the Huskies starting kicker, with his long coming from 42. The Saskatoon native is the lone remaining kicker in the conference yet to miss a field goal attempt.

Scouting the Rams

Fourth-year bench boss and 2016 Canada West Coach of the Year Steve Bryce leads Regina into the week three clash. Bryce is looking to guide his program back to the postseason after missing out on qualifying last season.
 
Quarterback Josh Donnelly, who spent last season as a redshirt, appears set to lead the Rams into the future as the next starter under centre, replacing former Hec Crighton award winner Noah Picton. Donnelly has shown flashes of his potential through two weeks; however, the first-year Regina native threw three interceptions in week two, two of which came in the fourth quarter as Regina attempted to mount a comeback against Alberta.

The Rams have struggled to run the ball efficiently this season, with their 4.1 yards-per-carry ranking last in the Canada West through two games. However, Regina has been able to get the ball into the endzone on the ground, with their four rushing touchdowns leading the conference. Sam Varao, a fifth-year fullback scored the hat-trick in week one with three one-yard majors. 
 
Four of the eight leaders in receiving yards in the Canada West through two weeks are members of the Rams' pass-catching corps. Kyle Moortgat leads the way for the group, with 13 receptions for 168 yards and one touchdown. While Ryan Schienbein, Riley Boersma, and Bennett Stusek round out the top eight.
 
Cord Delinte has emerged as a leader on the defensive side of the ball for Regina. Delinte is fresh off an 8.5 total tackle, one interception performance against the Golden Bears last week.
 
Defensive back Zach Moore has had a strong start to the season for the Rams. The Regina native leads the conference with three passes defended through two games, which includes his week one interception against the Thunderbirds.