Regina Rams win 1st all-Sask. Hardy Cup in more than 2 decades

Regina Rams players tore through the field to embrace their teammates Saturday afternoon as they were crowned Canada West football champions.

The Rams accepted the Hardy Cup after defeating the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 19-14 at the U of S's home field, Griffiths Stadium.

This year's 87th Hardy Cup showdown between the two Saskatchewan universities is the first all-Saskatchewan Canada West finals clash in 22 years. The 2002 fixture went to the Huskies.

As crowned winner, the Rams will host the Mitchell Bowl on Nov. 16 and play against the University of Laval from Quebec. Laval defeated Montreal 22-17 in the RSEQ Dunsmore Cup.

The winning team from that game will head on to the Vanier Cup.

WATCH | Huskies, Rams ready for all-Saskatchewan Hardy Cup championship game:

The Rams had lost their last four playoff appearances — dating back to a semi-final win over Saskatchewan in 2012 — before beating the Manitoba Bisons last weekend.

This is the team's first time winning the Hardy Cup since 2000. Quarterback Noah Pelletier said the players had what it took.

"We knew it was still in our grasp and we just kept fighting. Obviously it paid off in the end."

The University of Regina Rams won the Canada West game against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 19-14. (Halyna Mihalik/CBC)

Pelletier completed 23 of 33 passes for 228 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions during the game.

Both teams worked hard this season. The Rams had a 3-5 regular season, finishing fourth in the six-team conference. The Huskies finished 5-3 for third. The teams split their regular season meetings, with each winning at home.

The Huskies won the Hardy Cup in 2021 and 2022 — and went on to lose in the Vanier Cup game both times — before the UBC Thunderbirds snatched away the trophy last year.

The Rams were falling behind in the first half of Saturday's game, with the Huskies leading 14-1 at halftime.

But the Rams recovered and pulled ahead in time to secure a win in the second half.

Rams head coach Mark McConkey said it was a long time coming.

"We wanted this bad. The tide is turning, the Rams are for real."

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies congratulated their opponents, the University of Regina Rams, on their victory following the game. (Halyna Mihalik/CBC)

Both teams pulled off dramatic upsets on the road to set up the all-Saskatchewan final.

The Rams managed a 28-25 win over the first-place Bisons. Receiver Nicholas Sirleaf took a pass from quarterback Pelletier and ran the ball into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown with just 19 seconds on the clock. Rams linebacker Garret Hatchard then intercepted Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski with three seconds remaining, sealing the victory.

Huskies fans eagerly watched the game and cheered for their team at Saturday's game. (Trevor Bothorel/CBC)

The Huskies, meanwhile, beat the UBC Thunderbirds 38-33 in Vancouver after overcoming a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit.

Quarterback Anton Amundrud threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Ercy Avul with a minute left to go to get the game within three points. Then, with 30 seconds left, Ryker Frank scored a one-yard touchdown, stunning the home team.

The Huskies head coach, Scott Flury, said despite the Canada West loss, he's proud of how well the team has played this season.

"Football is a hard game, there's a lot of highs and a lot of lows," he said. "The guys didn't quit working, they didn't stop, we just kept fighting."

In the last three minutes of Saturday's game, the Huskies fumbled the ball on a punt return, leaving the Rams to recover it, which they did not. Pelletier, who also plays as a holder, injured his shoulder during the play, but said the injury isn't getting in the way of him enjoying the win.

"It definitely hurts a little, but the pain is only temporary," Pelletier said. "When you win a Hardy Cup the pain definitely goes away a lot more than usual."

Despite an injury, Regina Rams quarterback Noah Pelletier said he is excited for what's next. (Travis Reddway/CBC)

With under two minutes left in the game, the Huskies attempted a drive and Regina's defence forced a turnover. Regina couldn't generate a first down and had to punt the ball. The Huskies had the ball on their five-yard line in the last few seconds of the game.

The Regina Rams said they are looking forward to celebrating their win and preparing for their game against the University of Laval next week.

In Saturday's other games, the Bishop's Gaiters edged the St. Mary's 25-22 in the Loney Bowl, while the Western Mustangs' season ended after the Laurier Golden Hawks recorded a 51-31 victory in the 116th Yates Cup.