QB Picton leading Rams into Taylor Field against UBC Saturday

After a 0-8 season last year, the Regina Rams are back in the playoffs.

The Rams finished first in the CIS Canada West conference for the first time in the team's history.

The Rams are sporting a 6-2 record this season with a 4-0 record at home with the help of quarterback Noah Picton.

Pictontold CBC Radio's Saskatchewan Weekendimproved play from defence forcing more turnovers and offence clicking on the field has contributed to their season.

"Those are kind of the big issues we had last season and we weren't able to close games," Picton said. "This year, we're putting points on theboard when we have to and we're coming up on top."

Picton said the Rams have confidence in themselves, even in tight, late-game situations. The team feels they can come back from a deficit when they need to or play tight defence to close out a game when it's called for, he said.

"There's never any doubt on the sidelines that we have the ability to go out and put the team away when we have to," Picton said.

Picton has had a season for the ages.

Over eightgames, Picton has 3,186 passing yards on 323 attempts. He has a completion rate of 69 per cent with 25 touchdown passes and nineinterceptions. He has also rushed for 238 yards and has twotouchdowns in 31 attempts.

The Rams will host the defending Vanier Cup champion UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday in Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field.

The Rams and the Thunderbirds have played each other twice this season with the Rams taking the winboth times.

Kickoff is at 3 p.m CST.