Entering play at 4-0 for the first time in 17 years, the No. 8 nationally ranked Bisons football team will look to remain undefeated when they host the 2-2 Regina Rams on Saturday at 5 pm (click here for tickets).

The Herd have had the upper hand as of late against the Rams, winning seven of their last nine matchups dating back to 2018. That includes last year's double overtime thriller at homecoming, a 27-24 win where Bisons kicker Maya Turner became the first female to dress, and score points in a regular season U SPORTS football game. 

Overall in the last 26 seasons, Manitoba holds a 25-15 record against the Rams, including 15-5 at home. 

The Bisons enter play coming off a dramatic 22-17 win over Calgary, where they came from behind in the final five minutes to win. The ground game was a major story, as the Herd rushed for 237 yards, and they are one of only two teams in the conference rushing for over 200 on the year. 

Look for Manitoba to continue to pound the rock this weekend. In last year's homecoming game, they rushed for 245 yards, including a combined 167 from running back Breydon Stubbs and quarterback Jackson Tachinski. 

Tachinski also scored two rushing majors in the contest, and has three in 2024. The dual-threat pivot has 15 rushing scores in his Bisons career, which is tied for the sixth most in school history. Stubbs isn't far behind, with 13 career rushing scores, including five this season, which leads Canada West. 

Regina counters with a dangerous passing attack, led by Noah Pelletier, who took back his starting job following an injury in week one to Canada West Rookie of the Year Owen Sieben. 

Pelletier's 75 completions are third in the conference, while receivers D'Sean Mimbs, Nicholas Sirleaf and Renzel Arinaza are all averaging over ten yards a catch on the year.

Mimbs -- a 2024 CFL Draft pick of Saskatchewan -- led all players with 94 yards receiving in last year's home game at Manitoba, while Sirleaf was a 2023 CJFL All-Canadian with the Calgary Colts, and Arinaza is second amongst rookies in Canada West, with 182 yards receiving, including 15 yards per catch. 

The two teams are also the stingiest on defence, with Manitoba giving up just 18.5 points per game, while Regina is right behind, at 22. 

Both teams have five interceptions on the year, second in the conference. Nick Conway for the Herd, and Max Polischuk for Regina are tied for the second most, with two each.

Meanwhile, Bisons strong side linebacker Austin Balan is having an all-star year, with 22.5 tackles, which ranks fifth in Canada West. He also has two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups.