Rams back to basics against UBC 

By Greg Urbanoski 

The University of Regina Rams have taken advantage of their bye week by going back to the basics. 

The Rams will be kicking off against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on Friday night and Rams Head Coach Frank McCrystal is looking to have his squad improve on its 1-1 record and move into third place in Canada West. 

“The difference between last year and this year is that on defense we are not sitting back and have been much more aggressive and defended the run much better,” said McCrystal. 

“(UBC Running Back Chris) Ciezki is really an outstanding player and when we weren’t getting penetration he was getting up-field and when he starts going he’s really hard to bring down,” said McCrystal. 

“Offensively this year we are running the ball better and this translates into us having better control of the clock and the ability for better field possession. Defensively we have stopped the run, Offensively we’ve managed to run the ball better and that has translated into us being a better football team.” 

The Rams are coming off a 24-22 win over the University of Alberta, a game that saw the Rams build up a large lead and then hold on for the win. McCrystal said the score didn’t tell the whole story. 

“We had a couple of breakdowns defensively and let them back into the game,” said McCrystal. “It’s a little bit unusual because offensively we put up 581 yards which usually and should translate into points and it didn’t. 

McCrystal said UBC has a new quarterback in Doug Goldsby who is big, athletic and very competitive. He said if the Rams allow him to break containment on the outside, they will be in trouble, so the Rams defense will have to be very cautious about how they handle him. 

“Their quarterback can put pressure on you if he breaks contain,” said McCrystal. “You expect they will improve as all teams do through the season. Every game in Canada West will be competitive, tough and a challenge. Often the score is not indicative of the play and most games are close and challenging.” 

McCrystal said a bye week is an advantage if it is used properly. He said the Rams used the bye week to get the players settled into classes and then allow them to get focused on the games.  

McCrystal said he wasn’t aware the Rams ranking in run defense was much improved over last year. He said the Rams are facing probably the best running back in Canada in Ciezki, and after facing a potent Manitoba Bison attack, it is gratifying to see the Rams run defense improve. 

“We feel we are doing better and we want to improve on that and get better because if we intend to take this thing the distance, we can’t remain at the level we are at and we have to improve on that,” said McCrystal.”

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