For the second straight season, the No. 6 ranked Manitoba Bisons will welcome the Regina Rams to IGF for each team's season opener on Friday, Sept. 2nd at 7 pm (click here to buy tickets). The two teams kicked off the 2021 campaign in memorable fashion, with the hosts coming back from 17-8 down at halftime to defeat Regina 21-17. It was the first of two victories for Manitoba over Regina last season in what has become a thrilling rivarly over the years. 

The Herd are 7-3 in their last ten games against the Rams, with six of those contests being decided by four points or less. Regina and Manitoba will also meet on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Regina to conclude the regular season.  

The Bisons will have veteran fifth-year pivot and team captain Des Catellier back under centre in 2022, who'll return one season after a season-ending injury suffered in the home opener against the Rams. Pass protection for the program leader in completion percentage will be a major storyline to follow, as Regina tallied six sacks against the Herd in last year's opening game. 

Catellier will be guarded by an offensive line that returns all five starters from 2021, including multiple-time CJFL national champion and 2022 team captain Ryder Klisowsky, a native of Watrous, Saskatchewan and vocal leader of the group who previously played for the Saskatoon Hilltops.  

Defensively, the Rams – who tied with Manitoba for eighth in the nation in sacks a year ago with 12 – return CFL Draft pick Ryder Varga, along with second-year Chopper Hippe and fourth-year Josh White at linebacker, among others. The athletic trio combined for 84 tackles and five sacks a season ago and are the heart and soul of a Rams 3-4 front that loves to use stunts and misdirection to get pressure on the opposition. 

Offensively, the Rams will benefit from the presence of CFL Draft pick Kyle Borsa at running back. The all-purpose star with track speed is sure to get his touches, both in the backfield and as a pass-catcher. He had 354 rushing yards a season ago, and led the Rams with 22 receptions, six of which came in last year's season opener, along with a major. 

Manitoba counters with a physical front seven that can keep pace with anyone in the nation. The Herd were eighth in U SPORTS in passing yards allowed per game a season ago, at 200, and the core of the group is back, including five players who got starting reps a season ago. Among the secondary is Marcel Arruda-Welch, a 2021 All-Canadian who had three pass breakups in three regular season games. 

Fellow All-Canadian Nick Thomas, who had 50 tackles between the regular and post season last year chose to defer his draft year, and will be one of the best in Canada at weak side linebacker due to his sideline to sideline speed and physical finishing abilities at the point of attack. Beside him is middle linebacker Isaac Dokken, who can run and tackle with the best of them. He had his best game of the season against Alberta in last year's home playoff win in the sem-finals with eight tackles a fumble recovery and two pass breakups. 
 
HOOFPRINTS 

• Speaking of Arruda-Welch, he is two pass breakups shy of the program record of 20, which has stood since 2012, courtesy of Teague Sherman. 
• Catellier is also 1944 yards shy of the school record for passing yards in a career, which has been held by all-time great Shane Munson since 2003. Catellier currently sits fourth all-time with 5530 yards and will pass Theo Deezar for third by throwing for 871 yards during the year.