Three Cochrane Cobras alumni were in the Regina Rams starting lineup against the U of C Dinos, Sept. 8, and one had his first start in university football.

Veteran  d-lineman Byrce McKinnon made his last regular season appearance at McMahon Stadium, and receivers Kyle Moortgat and Adam Rusk added punch for the Rams offence. It was a five-point game until late in the third when the Dinos opened the gap to 36-24 and held off a Rams comeback to win 46-26.

The offensive power of the Rams and Dinos were trading touchdowns, but the turning point came with just over a minute left in the third when the Dinos capitalized on an intercepted pass to march down the field to open a 12-point lead.

It's a few plays that make a difference in any game and unfortunately they went in favour of the Dinos, says McKinnon. He says the turnover late in the third made the difference.

"We had the momentum, we just had to get there. It's those little tiny things that decide the game, we just didn't get those bounces tonight."

The Rams didn't play at McMahon last season, so it was an long-anticipated game by family, friends and supporters of the Cochrane players.

"It's tough to come back after two years and not play the way you want to. You come back and you have all these hopes. When that happens, it's rough."

But you can't dwell on the past and the focus is now on their next game against the U of A Golden Bears in Regina.

"Now we head back home, regroup, see what we did wrong and absolutely forget about it and move on to Alberta. Right now, we're focused on Alberta. We took that one on the chin, but we're moving forward, looking ahead, always."

Making his second start, Cochrane Cobras alumni Kyle Moortgat scored his second major. Unlike last week's battle for a catch in the end zone, this one came on a 28-yard pass and dash from QB Noah Picton into the end zone.

Picton spread out his passes and Moortgat was one of his favourite targets, catching seven for 78 yards.

Adam Rask got his first start after several years of preparation and played some slot and wide receiver. He caught one for nine yards late in the game on a wide out.

McKinnon assisted on one tackle and force Dinos quarterback Adam Sinagra to dash out of play on another.

The Dinos are now 2-0 early in the season and also have a number of Cobras on their roster.

The Rams are 1-1, winning their season opener against the UBC Thunderbirds.