Rams' defence up and running this season

Tim Switzer, Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Anyone wondering just how much the University of Regina Rams' run defence has improved needs only to remember two numbers: 183 and 12.

Last season UBC Thunderbirds running back Chris Ciezki carried the ball 22 times for 183 yards in a 60-48 win over the Rams. On Friday, Ciezki was held to 12 yards on 11 carries as the Rams won 55-28 at Mosaic Stadium.

"We showed up to play this time," said defensive lineman Paul McDill. "That's the biggest difference. Last year in B.C., we didn't. We focused all week on getting off the ball, filling the gaps and tackling him."

If that's not enough to prove the Rams defence has changed, how about this?

In 2006, the Rams were the fourth-worst team against the run in the CIS, allowing 212 rushing yards per game. This season, Regina (2-1-0) is fifth-best in the country allowing just 96 yards per contest. The Rams' three opponents this season are among the 11 best rushing teams so far in 2007.

There are a number of explanations as to why the Rams' front seven is so much better this season -- the strength of tackle Bjorn Person, the speed of rush end Stanley van Sichem, new looks for offensive lines nearly every down, more ball control from the offence -- but the name that comes up every time is that of middle linebacker Mat Nesbitt.

"He's just as good or maybe the best guy in Canada West," said defensive co-ordinator Paul Dawson. "He comes down so hard, it demands they block him with an O-lineman. He's too powerful for the running backs to handle."

Nesbitt, 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, rejoined the Rams this season after a one-year sabbatical in the B.C. Football Conference in 2006. Nesbitt previously played with the Rams from 2003 until 2005.

"Some other guys did a real good job in that spot (last season), but we need that hard-nosed guy to come downfield and fill that hole and we have that with Mat," said McDill. "That makes a huge difference -- knowing that I can do on my job and Mat is going to have his taken care of."

Though Nesbitt wasn't with the Rams defence through the tough times last season, he knows the unit has made a big turnaround.

"You sense the amount of disappoint when you watch the films from last year," said Nesbitt. "When our offence puts up 50 points, there's no way we should be losing a game. It's just generally known that having a better run defence is helping us out more."

He won't, however, take sole credit.

"Our two interior D-linemen (McDill and Person) are doing a hell of a job and they're making it a lot easier for me and Stevie (Wilson) to get to the ball," said Nesbitt. "Coming downhill, filling in the gaps and me being a little bigger and faster than the previous linebackers we had last year might help a little bit, but I think it's a whole-team effort."

Wherever the credit belongs, defensive players that lived through last season getting blamed for a number of losses are glad to see things different through the first three games in 2007.

"It's real nice not to have people saying, 'You guys are the reason we lost,' " said McDill. "It's great to have people tell us it was a team effort. The offence had to do their part and the defence did theirs."

RAMBLINGS: Wilson and wide receiver Jordan Sisco were both named Canada West players-of-the-week Monday for their performances against UBC. Wilson, a fourth-year linebacker, had nine tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in the win. Sisco, a sophomore, caught nine passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns and rushed four times for 12 yards and another major. Each of his touchdowns came in Regina's 28-point second quarter ... The status of running back and returner Taylor Kidby (ankle) is not yet known. Kidby left Friday's game and was using crutches with his right ankle heavily taped on the sideline.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007

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