Murray McCormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Monday, October 15, 2007

Jordan Sisco stole the show.

The approximately 2,600 spectators had gathered at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday anticipating that University of Regina Rams quarterback Teale Orban would set the all-time Canada-West Conference record for touchdown passes against the struggling Alberta Golden Bears. Orban completed two touchdown passes to move within one of tying Greg Vavra's mark of 63 but it was Sisco who established a record.

Sisco hauled in nine passes for 238 yards, which eclipsed the Rams' record for 218 yards set on Sept. 23, 2006, by receiver Chris Bauman. Sisco scored on a 16-yard pass from Orban and added another two majors on rushes as the short-yardage quarterback.

The offensive explosion helped the Rams beat the Golden Bears 35-16, improve to 5-1 and clinch a playoff berth in Canada West.

"It doesn't really surprise me (about Sisco),'' Orban said Saturday after completing touchdown passes of 16 yards to Sisco and 27 yards to Kolten Solomon. "Everyone knew that (former Rams) Bauman (now of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats) and Chris Getzlaf (Saskatchewan Roughriders) were the guys last year. They were so good and obviously because they are in the CFL now but when Jordan came here I knew that he would be in the CFL as well. He plays hard and he makes a lot of plays.''

Sisco also expected Teale to establish the conference passing record in the final regular-season home game.

"He has had some great games in the last couple of games,'' said Sisco, a second-year wide receiver. "He threw four TDs two weeks ago and six last week ... I don't think he's thinking about the record right now. We have five wins and we're guaranteed to be in the playoffs now.''

The Rams moved into second place and can dream of the possibility of playing host to a home playoff game for the first time since Nov. 9, 2002, when they were beaten 44-28 by the Saskatchewan Huskies in the Canada West final.

The chances of the Rams being at home for some of the playoffs improved after the Calgary Dinosaurs beat the Saskatchewan Huskies 20-19 on Saturday. A 51-yard field goal by Aaron Ifield, formerly of the Regina Thunder, with no time remaining allowed the unranked Dinos to upset the fifth-ranked Huskies. who fell to 4-2.

"It has been a long time since we had a home playoff game,'' Sisco said. "It would be awesome if we could get one.''

The Rams have two more opportunities to secure a home playoff game and the regular-season touchdown record for Orban. Regina is in Winnipeg on Saturday to play the first-place Bisons (6-0). It closes out the regular season on Oct. 27 in Saskatoon against the Huskies.

Sisco exhibited his big-play abilities midway through the first quarter. Sisco and Orban teamed up on an 87-yard pass-and-run play. The Golden Bears were only able to keep Sisco from scoring when they forced a fumble on the two-yard line. Sisco recovered and one play later, Graham Mosiondz rumbled over from the two to give the Rams a 6-0 lead. Perri Scarcelli's convert put the Rams ahead 7-0.

Alberta's Aaron Holba scored at 4:46 of the second quarter on a nine-yard pass from quarterback Quade Armstrong to tie the contest 7-7. Then Sisco exhibited his power from behind centre.

Sisco, who played quarterback with the Riffel Royals, scored on a two-yard sneak. He added another major on a one-yard touchdown late in the second quarter.

"I prefer scoring as a receiver but it's always good to get a couple of rushing TDs,'' said Sisco, who rushed for six yards on three attempts. "It's a pretty easy touchdown because we already get a yard. Our offensive line gets a good push, so it's a guaranteed yard every time.''

Kolten Solomon hauled in a 24-yard pass from Orban to account for the rest of the Rams' scoring. The toss moved Orban into a tie for second place in the Canada West with Manitoba's Shane Munson with 62 touchdown passes each. Munson completed his 62 passes from 1999 to 2003. Vavra established the league record from 1979 to 1983.

"I don't remember Greg but my dad talked about him now and then,'' Orban said.

NOTES: Clark Gates, Steve Ryan, Tamon George and Andrew Rumbaugh had interceptions for the Rams ... Regina is 5-1 for the first time since joining the CIS in 1999 ... The Rams have won five straight since opening the season with a 36-13 loss to the visting Bisons on Sept. 1.

FOR THE RECORD

Canada West Universities Athletics Association

Touchdown Passes
Career Leaders

63 Greg Vavra, Calgary, 1979-83
62 Teale Orban, Regina, 2004-present
62 Shane Munson, Manitoba, 1999-03
60 Darryl Leason, Calgary/Regina, 1996-98/2000-01
56 Brent Schneider, Saskatchewan, 1992-96
56 Steve Bilan, Saskatchewan, 2001-05
55 Dan Smith, UBC, 1974-78
52 Bob Torrance, Calgary, 1987-90
50 Jason Ansen, Calgary, 1991-95
47 Brett Watt, Manitoba, 1990-94

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007


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