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With overtime needed, the leg of rookie kicker Ty Gorniak proved to be the difference-maker for the University of Regina Rams.
The 18-year-old made all five of his kicks in the game — two of them in overtime — as the Rams defeated the Manitoba Bisons 32-29 in double overtime in Canada West playoff football action at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday night.
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“It’s actually a dream come true being a rookie and playing at this stage,” Gorniak said. “Look at the fans, this is amazing. I got that opportunity to win the game and that’s what we did.”
It was a bounce-back performance for Gorniak, who missed three of four field goal attempts in the team’s 31-29 loss to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in the final week of the regular season.
“The best part about kicking is how you respond to those bad games and that’s what I did today,” said Gorniak, who was named a Canada West All-star earlier in the week.
“I just wanted to prove to all of our fans and prove to my team I’m the guy they want kicking that ball and that’s what I did.”
His teammate, quarterback Owen Sieben, believed in the kicker to go out and make it.
“Just ice in his veins. I know he wasn’t satisfied with how he played last week and man, did he come out and answer today,” Sieben said. “Every time we need him in the biggest moments, he’s so clutch.”
The Rams got off to a fast start in the game with their second offensive play opening the scoring. Running back Marshall Erichsen took the ball 30 yards to open the scoring.
Manitoba answered back right away as quarterback Jackson Tachinski led an eight-play, 86-yard drive that ended when he ran the ball in from five yards out.
In the second quarter, the Bisons elected to concede a safety, which allowed Regina to once again take the lead.
Rams quarterback Owen Sieben led an 11-play, 73-yard drive that ended with backup quarterback Noah Pelletier punching it in from a yard out. Gorniak connected on a field goal from 39 yards out to increase the Rams’ lead to 19-7.
But Manitoba was able to answer back in short order. The Bisons blocked a punt with 3:25 left in the half, allowing kicker Maya Turner to kick a short field goal.
Then, with 1:46 left in the half, Rams rusher Christian Katende fumbled the ball which allowed the Bisons to score a quick touchdown just three plays later. Tachinski connected with Nathan Udoh for a 26-yard touchdown pass.
With just 33 seconds left in the game, the Bisons took the lead on a Turner field goal but after a penalty on the ensuing kickoff, the Rams were able to get into range for Gorniak to hit a game-tying field goal with no time left on the clock.
In overtime, the Rams and Bisons traded field goals and then Gorniak hit what would eventually be the game-winning 38-yarder. Turner hit the uprights on her 23-yard attempt that ended the game with the Rams storming the field in celebration.
“I haven’t even processed it yet,” Rams head coach Mark McConkey said immediately after the win. “Just happy for our guys. We’re down three with the ball at our 40 with no timeouts and we have to go no-huddle. We had to get about 40 yards to get in field goal range and our guys did it.
“That’s something we practice all the time every week — we do weird situations.”
Sieben finished the game with 237 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Tachinski had 297 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Earlier in the day, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies defeated the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 26-7. They will host the Hardy Cup on Nov. 8 in a showdown between the two rivals.
“I know we’re looking forward to that battle,” McConkey said. “We’re going to enjoy tonight for a couple of minutes and then we are getting back to watch film on the U of S right away.”
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