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Regina Rams move up to No. 4 in Canada after upset win

The University of Regina Rams just keep winning, and their stock is soaring at a rate not seen in several years.

Regina improved to 3-1 last week after beating the University of Calgary Dinos 32-27 in a thrilling upset.

It was Regina's first win against the Dinos since Oct. 19, 2012.

While the Rams had to hold off Calgary right until the final play of the game, the win was convincing enough to shoot them up the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) rankings this week.

Regina — who are currently first in the Canada West — are now ranked No. 4 in Canada.

"We've had three nice wins in a row now and it's nice to be recognized for that," Rams head coach Steve Bryce said in a news release. "But we're only halfway through the Canada West schedule and our upcoming game against (the University of) Saskatchewan has our full attention."

Last week, the Rams cracked the CIS top 10 for the first time since 2012 with a No. 9 ranking.

Regina quarterback Noah Picton finished the game with 452 passing yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. It was the third time in four games this season Picton passed for more than 450 yards.

At this point in the season, the third-year quarterback is certainly in the running for the Hec Crighton Trophy — awarded to the most outstanding CIS football of the year — as he leads Canada with 1,714 passing yards, and 428 yards per game. Picton is also tied for first with 14 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Rams receiver Mitch Picton is also having an incredible start to the season.

Picton scorched the Dinos with 13 catches, 215 yards, three touchdowns, and was named the Canada West offensive player of the week as a result.

The fourth-year receiver — who is eligible for the 2017 CFL Draft — currently leads the country with 121 receiving yards per game. He's also first in Canada with seven receiving touchdowns.

Regina's only loss of the season came in week one against the University of Saskatchewan in a 41-39 overtime loss.

Huskies fall out of CIS top 10

At the University of Saskatchewan, fortune is going in the opposite direction.

After starting the season 2-0, the Huskies have lost their past two games. The most recent came on Saturday night against the University of Manitoba. The Bisons scored 28 unanswered points to beat the Huskies 38-17 in Winnipeg.

The Huskies and Rams go head-to-head on Saturday, Oct. 1 in the first-ever game played at the new Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. CST.

Here is how the CIS top 10 looks going into this week:

- Montreal (4-0)

- Laval (3-1)

- Western (4-1)

- Regina (3-1)

- Calgary (3-1)

- Laurier (4-0)

- Ottawa (4-0)

- McMaster (3-1)

- Manitoba (2-2)

- Carleton (3-2)