The University of Regina Rams rode Christian Katende into the Canada West playoffs in a big way Friday night.
Katende’s record-threatening performance -- 228 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns -- bulldozed the Rams to a 29-22 thrilling comeback win over the University of Alberta Golden Bears that assures Regina a playoff date with either Manitoba or UBC.
It’s the third-best, single-game rushing total in Rams history and the highest in the past 20 years. Only Neal Hughes with 295 yards in 2003 and Ronald Arnold producing 249 yards in 2000 had more than Katende.
Playing in front of a noisy and packed house at Leibel Field, it was fitting the Rams would celebrate their finest hour in an unusual home from an unlikely hero. Used primarily as Regina's fourth running back this year, Katende got his chance to be the featured back in this game and put up a performance for the ages to lead the Rams back after trailing 22-4 in the third quarter.
“That’s a good team we sent home,” Katende said. “It’s a testament to how good we really are. Honestly, I’d be worried next week if I’m playing the Regina Rams.”
As the fourth seed in Canada West, the Rams go on the road to play the team with the first seed, likely the Manitoba Bisons who need to avoid being beaten by UBC by 23 or more Saturday to hold on to top spot.
Meanwhile, Katende was quick to share the credit for his near record performance and isn’t surprised Regina ran the football with so much success in the game of his life.
“It’s definitely one for the books,” Katende said. “I knew that eventually it was me and Ollie [Olivier Savard] and whoever starts rolling, starts rolling. Today was my day. I have to give it to the guys up front, they came out in the second half and absolutely balled out. Receivers were all blocking down field for me, so that was massive. The boys rallied together in the second half.”
D'Sean Mimbs, a forgotten man in the Rams offence throughout their now snapped five-game losing skid, had six catches for 101 yards while absorbing some big hits to hold onto the ball and move the chains.
It’s poetic justice for a Regina Rams team that suffered its worst loss this season against Alberta in September by surrendering 252 yards along the ground. On this night, the Rams piled up 266 yards along the ground to go along with three rushing touchdowns in a case of looking across the field to say: ‘What you can do, we can do better’.
The win marks the Rams third regular season victory at Leibel Field all-time in as many tries.
