High-risk gamble on play costs Bisons in OT thriller loss

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This article was published 29/09/2018 (2799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The play — a high-risk move to be sure — unfolded just as it had been scripted for Des Catellier.

The Manitoba Bisons had just scored a touchdown in overtime, pulling to within one point of the Regina Rams at 32-31, and head coach Brian Dobie signalled for a two-point convert. He was in it to win it.

“I saw a wide open receiver,” said Catellier, Manitoba’s quarterback, describing what he saw as slotback Trysten Dyce broke loose in the end zone. “He was running a slant under the middle and there was nobody covering him. So I just saw a wide open guy, that (Regina) D-lineman made an incredible play…

“He’s getting washed out by (Bisons running back) Jamel Lyles and he puts a hand out behind him and makes the tip. You watch it — it’s a touchdown if he doesn’t tip that ball.”

Catellier’s pass fell harmlessly to the turf and the Rams escaped with the victory, improving to 3-2 over the 2-3 Bisons in the tight Canada West university football standings.

“I’m going to have nightmares about it, just seeing him that wide open, wishing I had done something else, hold on a little bit, maybe do something else,” said Catellier. “But in the moment, you just can’t ask for much more than that.”

Added Bisons head coach Brian Dobie: “(Offensive co-ordinator Blair Atkinson) made a great call because the receiver was wide-ass open, quote, unquote.”

Moments earlier, Bisons receiver Shai Ross converted on third down when he scored his second touchdown of the game on a 16-yard toss from Catellier to set the stage for the two-pointer.

Dobie, referencing a galling overtime loss to UBC two seasons ago, said he wasn’t willing to send the game to a second extra session where the Rams would have the last possession.

“I didn’t want to give them back an advantage and by the way, we’ve got the ball on their five-yard line,” said Dobie. “When you actually think about it, and break it down — the ball’s on their five-yard line. How do you know in the extra overtime we get back to the five? Can you guarantee that? Not even close.

“So, we balled out, as they would say in the locker room.”

The decision not to go for the safe play surprised Ross.

“I came off the field and sent in a sub for me and then when I turned around, I was kinda surprised by the call,” said Ross, who caught five passes for 62 yards and also scored a six-yard major to spark a 17-point comeback in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. “But the coaches, they know what they’re doing and they’re going to make the call.”

Catellier, who completed 22 of 35 passes for 341 yards, three TDs and one interception, was fine with the choice.

“I was a little surprised we didn’t go for two after the touchdown at the end of the game,” said Catellier, recalling Macho Bockru sensational 37-yard game-tying catch with 43 second left in regulation. “So when the decision came in overtime, I was kind of expecting it.”

Earlier in overtime, Rams tailback Kyle Borsa caught a 35-yard TD pass to give the Rams a 32-25 lead. Borsa, Canada West’s rushing leader, carried the ball 16 times for 128 yards and scored on a four-yard run in the first half.

Ryan Schienbein hauled in a 46-yard TD pass from quarterback Noah Picton and Seb Britton added another major on a one-yard run for the visitors, who led 8-6 at halftime.

Manitoba kicker Brad Mikoluff went 2-for-4 in the field goal department, connecting from 28 and eight yards out. The Rams also conceded a pair of safeties.

Regina’s Aldo Galvan went 1-for-3, booting a 26-yarder.

The Manitoba ground game got 89 yards on 15 carries from Jamel Lyles and 82 yards on seven carries from Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette but until late in the game, the offence sputtered.

Picton was held to 296 yards on 20-for-30 passing but the Rams quarterback became the all-time U Sports career passing leader when he passed former Sherbrooke quarterback Jeremi Roch’s total of 11,477 yards. Picton now has 11,495.

“I give all the credit for us being in the game to the defence,” said Catellier. “Our offence, for three quarters, couldn’t do anything and our defence kept us in the game and gave us a chance in the fourth quarter to be able to make that comeback.”

Two crucial miscues — Catellier coughed up the ball on the Regina 17-yard line just before halftime and Lyles added another fumble on the Manitoba 23 in the third quarter that resulted in Britton’s major — were costly.

“I was disappointed in myself on that one,” said Catellier. “That was in the red zone, a chance to at least get three and probably more. It’s a tough play but, I mean, we rebounded from it. It didn’t affect the game a lot but it definitely could’ve been big for our team.”

The fourth-place Bisons have a bye next week and resume their conference schedule Oct. 12 in Calgary against the 5-0 Dinos.

In five games, Manitoba has outscored its opposition 171-158 and has work to do if it wants to catch third-place Regina or the second-place Saskatchewan for a post-season berth.

“It’s tall, it’ll be tough,” said Dobie of his squad’s playoff chances. “But hey, it’s gonna be tough for Alberta and UBC. Regina put themselves in a better position but they’re not out of it yet. For us, it’s not great because they hold the tiebreaker over us.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14