Graham Mosiondz is carrying the ball more this season
Tim Switzer, Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, September 27, 2007

University of Regina Rams running back Graham Mosiondz is having a lot more fun this season.

In 2006, Mosiondz often had to stand by and pass block as the Rams -- because they were behind in several contests and because their biggest weapons were their receivers -- threw the ball on the bulk of their offensive plays.

But three games into the 2007 campaign, Mosiondz has carried the ball 57 times for the 2-1-0 Rams, only 21 times less than he did in six games last season.

"It not just picking up blitzes," said Mosiondz, who has 267 yards and a touchdown on those 57 carries. "It is fun when I'm getting the ball. It's two games in a row where I've gotten over 20 carries so I can't really complain. It helps everybody including the defence which is playing so well right now

"It was tough (last season with so few carries), but you do what you're asked."

Mosiondz is the 13th-leading rusher in Canadian University Sport, but among backs who have played only three games, he is fourth.

His best performance of the season came Friday when he carried the ball 22 times for 135 yards and a touchdown in a 55-28 win over the UBC Thunderbirds.

Mosiondz credits his increased production to an offseason training regimen that helped him increase his speed so the 5-foot-11 and 207-pounder can burst around the offensive line rather than simply trying to find a hole through it.

And like any good running back, he credits the line itself as well.

"We've been pretty committed all year to running the ball and the guys up front and (fullback) Sheldon Tillotson played well this week," said Mosiondz. "We had success on the ground and that's what we have to keep doing if we want to win."

Rams running backs coach Blair Thompson also points to Mosiondz's health this season for his increased load. Mosiondz missed the first two games of the 2006 season with a partially separated shoulder. In 2005, his first with the Rams after a redshirt season, Mosiondz was dogged by nagging shoulder and ankle injuries.

"He's got his explosiveness and quickness back," said Thompson.

Given that, fans could see a lot more of Mosiondz in the games to come. As dominant as Regina's offence was in 2006, it was sometimes criticized for its lack of a run game and the inability to sustain long drives that tired out an opposition's defence while giving the Rams' defence a break. If Mosiondz can continue his current pace, the Rams don't expect to go down that road again.

"It makes everything that much easier," said Thompson. "The defence can't just come with the pass rush. They've got to honour the run as well so it improves our offence quite a bit."

Mosiondz is also helping to maintain the passing game. Mosiondz has eight catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns (all numbers which surpass his 2006 totals) this season, but that's not his only value.

"He knows how to pick up the blitz and he can help out the offensive lineman if they happen to have a mistake on one of their assignment," said offensive co-ordinator Bernie Schmidt.

Now Mosiondz would like to see his numbers increase even further. In the Rams first game of the season, he rushed for just 34 yards. In their second he had 98, and then came the UBC game.

Does that mean Mosiondz will approach the 200-yard mark when the Rams visit the Simon Fraser Clan (0-4-0) on Saturday?

"I hope it will be that by the end of the year, anyway," said Mosiondz.

tswitzer@leaderpost.canwest.com


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