U of R Rams 2007 Season Preview

The University of Regina Rams are gearing up for a strong season in 2007 after suffering only a few key losses from their team that returned to the Canada West playoffs last season for the first time since 2003. Like last year, the Rams will open up their season against the Manitoba Bisons on their home turf at Mosaic Stadium.

After registering a 1-3 record in the first half of last season, the Rams won three of their final four games to clinch the fourth and final playoff berth. Regina matched up with Manitoba in a Canada West semifinal but was dispatched 44-29 by the regular season champions. 

In 2007, the Rams will look to continue to ride the momentum the team built throughout the last half of the 2006 campaign. Head coach Frank McCrystal feels that the team is ready to continue improving.

"We've had a great training camp so far," McCrystal said. "The guys came well prepared physically and have made a commitment to learn and understand what we're trying to do on both sides of the ball."

Offence

A runner-up for last year's Hec Crighton Trophy, QB Teale Orban will again control an explosive Rams offence that relied heavily on its aerial attack last year. Orban set a Canada West record in 2006 with 26 touchdown passes, and his 2616 passing yards were the second highest total in league history.

However, Orban will be missing a pair of receivers that combined to haul in 18 of his 26 touchdown passes in 2006. Chris Bauman and Chris Getzlaf, the team's top two receivers last year, both graduated to the CFL ranks. WR Jordan Sisco, who finished with 330 receiving yards but came on strong towards the end of his rookie season, will almost certainly play a larger role in the Rams' offence. SB Chad Goldie, who caught five touchdown passes last year, will also be a favourite target for Orban.

"We've got a great quarterback in Teale and we're very solid on the o-line," McCrystal said. "We're very proud of what Bauman and Getzlaf have accomplished, but we're also confident that we've got the depth to replace those two. Goldie and Sisco had good seasons and we've got guys coming in that will slide in nicely into the lineup."

The Rams expect RB Graham Mosiondz to lead the team in most rushing categories for the third consecutive season. Mosiondz was injured for the team's first two games last season, but still managed to top the Rams in rushing yards (513) and touchdown rushes (3). Fresh out of Riffel High School, RB Taylor Kidby could also see some touches in his first season at the CIS level.

The offensive line will remain almost unchanged from last season. Six players – Ryan Ackerman, John Hashem, Devin Hillier, Nick Hutchins, Max Ivanov, and Brendon LaBatte – are expected to vie for playing time at the five positions on the line.

Defence

While the Rams' passing defence allowed only eight more yards per game than Manitoba – which gave up a Canada West-low 206.2 yards per game in the air – the team had difficulties stopping the run. The Rams had the second-worst rushing defence in the league, allowing 213.8 yards per game.

But help may be on the way. LB Matt Nesbitt returns to the Rams after a standout year with the Okanagan Sun (CJFL). Nesbitt, who was named a 2006 CJFL All-Canadian, played for the Rams from 2003 to 2005, leading the team in tackles in 2004 and recording career totals of 135 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. The Rams will also be looking for another strong season from LB Steve Wilson, a two-time All-Canadian who is just six tackles away from becoming the U of R's all-time leader in the category. Adding to the Rams' depth at the linebacker position is Brandon Ganne and Clark Gates.

The Rams' defensive backfield should be a strong point once again for the team. DB Steve Ryan returns for his final year of CIS eligibility after having an exceptionally strong 2006 campaign. The Rams will also have the services of a trio of returning fourth-year players in the backfield, including CB Andrew Rumbaugh, DB Aadon Fieger, and hard-hitting safety Charlie McCrystal.

On the defensive line, the Rams lost Sean Brimacombe – the team's top lineman statistically – to graduation. Returning are tackles Bjorn Person and Paul McDill and rush end Stan van Sichem. Either Mike Picken or Gates could slide into Brimacombe's slot at end.

"We really feel our defence has improved this year with the addition of Nesbitt and the maturation of our players," McCrystal said. "We're very solid in the defensive backfield and have great depth at the linebacker position."

Special Teams

After bursting onto the CIS scene as a rookie during the 2005 season, kicker Perri Scarcelli had a less productive season last year as the Rams had difficulties at the long snapper position.

But with Nesbitt – a talented long snapper – returning to the Rams, that isn't expected to be an issue this year. Scarcelli hit 27 of his 29 PAT attempts and connected on five of 12 field goal attempts. His longest field goal of the season was a 43-yarder that he hit during a driving snowstorm in a 36-25 win over Alberta in late October.

Scarcelli punted 57 times for an average of 35.1 yards per boot last season, pinning the return team inside the 20 on nine occasions. His longest punt was a 68-yard kick against Calgary, also achieved during abysmal weather conditions.


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