Frankly Speaking: Rams Second but need to play more disciplined

By Greg Urbanoski

The University of Regina Rams are now second in Canada West following a 35-16 win over the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

The Rams clinched a playoff spot with the win. Teale Orban threw for two touchdowns to raise his career total to 62, one behind the Canada West record of 63 set by Greg Vavre. Jordan Sisco set a single game receiving yardage record. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies lost 20-19 to the University of Calgary Dinosaurs in Saskatoon.

But…

“Second place is good and we feel good taking away the win,” said Rams Head Coach Frank McCrystal. “Certainly there are some things we have to work on.

“We have to be better disciplined, no doubt about it. I think as individuals we have to decide what is more important – the team goals or the fact my feelings got hurt or pride hurt. I think it is something we need to reflect on this week.”

The Rams now have a 5-1 record and for the moment have completed the home portion of their schedule. Next Saturday they go to Winnipeg to play the University of Manitoba Bison who are first and undefeated in Canada West. The week after, the Rams go to Saskatoon to face the Huskies in a game that may clinch either first or second for the Rams, depending on how they play this upcoming week.

“You are going to get all kinds of different breaks there (Manitoba) with the goose droppings on their field, to the weather, to the officiating or breaks outside our control,” said McCrystal.

“We need to make sure we stayed disciplined. That is something we talked about all week and maybe talked about it too much.”

Heading into the game, McCrystal said the Rams wanted to play on a shorter field because making long drives against the University of Alberta would be difficult. However, if penalties were one problem the Rams had to overcome in this game, special teams play was another.

“On our special teams we did some goofy things,” said McCrystal. “We missed some calls on special teams which was ridiculous.

“They did move the ball on us different times in the first half until the end. But then again you can’t go two and out on offense all the time to make that happen. We have to make it happen by one hand washing the other.”

The Golden Bears first touchdown of the game was the result of a decision by the Rams to punt out of their end zone that resulted in a short punt and a very short field for the Bears to work for their touchdown. The question was asked why the Rams didn’t concede a safety and kick off, forcing the Golden Bears back and to work with a longer field.

“We thought about conceding but during the course of a game and a season, you have to know you can do that,” said McCrystal. “There may not always be a time when you can give up two and we felt confident that we could play good enough defense and they weren’t scoring. 

“That kid of theirs has a pretty good leg and sometimes you have to do things to get better and that was our thought on that.”

Graham Mosiondz left the game prior to the half but McCrystal said it wasn’t a re-aggravation of his shoulder injury which kept him out last week. The final result of the injury wasn’t known, but it involved his foot. McCrystal said he didn’t think it was a season-ending injury.

Tamon George enjoyed his fourth game with an interception and McCrystal said George was doing very well technically. However, while the Rams were overcoming the absences of Steve Wilson at linebacker and Bjorn Person on defensive line, the team was having trouble with tackling.

“I think we should have done a better job in terms of limiting yardage against the run,” said McCrystal. “I think our preparation puts us in the right place but we’re not making the tackles, which was the case last week.”

McCrystal is looking forward to going to Manitoba to face the Bison and get a better gauge on how the Rams have progressed since they opened their season against the Bison and lost.

“We felt after the opening game we could be 5-1 going against Manitoba and we have a point spread to make up if we want an opportunity to be in first place,” said McCrystal. “But first and foremost we have a goal to see if we can win a game and that is what our goal will be” 

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