Steven Arens was glad he didn't miss that one.

For the first time in his five-year Prairie Football Conference career, Arens and the Regina Thunder beat the Saskatoon Hilltops with a 26-23 victory at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday.

"I actually thought I was going to cry," said the defensive tackle, who may only play a handful of games for the Thunder this season while serving as a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces. "It was a big defensive effort, a big offensive effort ... everybody did their job."

It was the Thunder's second victory over the Hilltops since the Regina squad joined the PFC in 2000; the only other victory was a 14-13 contest on Sept. 7, 2002.

Saskatoon is the defending PFC champion and entered the 2009 season as the odds-on favourite to win it again.

"Not only did we send a shockwave across the PFC, but we sent a shockwave right throughout Canada that the Regina Thunder are for real and we're here to win," said Regina quarterback Reid Quest.

Quest was a big reason the Thunder recorded the victory. He threw for 492 yards and three touchdowns Sunday -- none bigger than the 10-yarder to Kolten Solomon with 28 seconds remaining in the game. Down 23-20 and facing third-and-three, the Thunder elected to gamble rather than attempt a game-tying field goal. Quest hit Solomon at the five-yard line before the receiver fought his way into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.

"We were that close so it was do or die," said Solomon.

"The kids believed in it," added Regina head coach Erwin Klempner.

"They're the ones who put it on the line. When Reid came off and had that confidence, you have to go with them. Rather than to go the safe way and say, 'Oh gee, we tied the Hilltops,' they wanted to beat them."

After the extra point was blocked, Saskatoon had one last series, but Hilltops quarterback Chase Bradshaw was intercepted by Cody Johnstone on a third-and-10 desperation throw from his own 32-yard line.

"It's still only Game 2," said Thunder linebacker Tyler Hogan. "We'll savour it (Saturday), enjoy it (Sunday), but come (today), we're back to work. We can't dwell on this forever."

The Thunder defence, which was often torched by the Saskatoon offence in recent years, kept the Hilltops to just 117 yards through the air and 264 yards overall.

"They played with more intensity and passion and you could tell they really wanted it at the end," said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.

"I thought our boys were going to step up to the plate and make a difference. We had opportunities, but we didn't finish with any character, poise or confidence."

Jeff Bolen was once again on the receiving end of several Quest passes, hauling in 13 for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Solomon, who was making his PFC debut, made 11 grabs for 132 yards. Jonathan Probe, who was filling in for Bolen as the Thunder placekicker, hit 32- and 34-yard field goals and added a convert and a single.

Tailback Brayden Klimosko scored both Saskatoon touchdowns, on a six-yard pass from Jordan Penner and on a two-yard run. Chris Bodnar converted both majors and added a pair of field goals (from 28 and 14 yards) and a single. Regina also conceded a safety.

With a 2-0 record, Regina is tied for first in the PFC with the Edmonton Wildcats, who throttled the Winnipeg Rifles 60-22 on Saturday.

The Thunder is in Calgary on Sunday to meet the Calgary Colts, who beat the Edmonton Huskies 36-21 on Sunday.