In a year known for player turnover around the league, the Regina Thunder used turnovers on the field to get a good start to the Prairie Football Conference season.
The Thunder recovered four Edmonton Huskies fumbles and recorded an interception Sunday en route to a 51-11 romp over the host team in the Alberta capital.
The turnovers (an interception by Landon Perra and fumble recoveries by Travis Junior, Philmon Bairu, Zach Evans and Wil Putland) led to 22 of Regina's points.
"We're excited, but we still have to work and keep getting better," said Thunder head coach Erwin Klempner. "It's a great way to start the season -- we were on the road and learned how to play a football game. We battled through early in the game and felt things out and then bore down, put pressure on the other team and we were able to do that and capitalize on their mistakes."
Regina quarterback Reid Quest went 16-for-26 for 245 yards and three touchdowns while also plunging for a one-yard major in the second quarter. Most of Quest's passes found their way into the hands of Jeff Bolen, who finished the game with nine receptions for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns which concluded long drives (90 and 76 yards) in the second quarter.
"Reid took what they gave him and Jeff just happens to play in that position," said Klempner. "They've had a couple years together now, but I think it was just Jeff being in that position and Reid finding the open man."
After jumping ahead 5-0 in the first quarter (on a conceded safety and a 44-yard Bolen field goal), Regina gave up the first major of the game early in the second when Edmonton quarterback Kevin Allen connected with Tylor Johnson from 10 yards out. Regina replied with three straight touchdowns.
The third quarter resembled the first with Regina getting points on a 22-yard field goal by Bolen and a 55-yard single before the floodgates opened again in the fourth.
The Thunder gave up a pair of safety touches, but scored three more touchdowns on a one-yard run by fullback Thomas Ringlein, a 13-yard pass from Quest to Camille Lagimodiere (who started in place of Kolten Solomon while he awaits his release from the Vancouver Island Raiders) and an eight-yard hookup between backup pivot Wyatt Catley and Clayton Cooke.
The Thunder are to play their home opener Saturday (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium) against the Sasktoon Hilltops, who were 44-21 winners over the visiting Winnipeg Rifles on Sunday. The other Week 1 contest saw the Edmonton Wildcats top the Calgary Colts 35-21 on Saturday.
