The University of Regina Rams season opener against the University of Manitoba Bison showed why the Rams are sometimes their own worst enemies.

The Rams fell to the nationally fourth ranked Bison 36-13, however the score was somewhat deceptive. The Rams had kept it close for most of the first half and even led 10-5 at one point. The Bison eventually attacked deep on the Rams and came away with a 22-10 half-time lead.

The Rams tried taking advantage of a hearty wind in the first and third quarters, but failed to capitalize as well as they could have. The offense, which was supposed to carry the team, self-destructed on some potential drives and drew penalties at the worst possible time.

The defense, which was likely sick and tired of hearing how they were the question mark of the team, responded by putting significant pressure on quarterback John Makie while making solid tackles. The Bison had two deep touchdown passes that could have gone either way, but other than a lengthy Bison drive in the first quarter, the Rams run defense was aggressive. The players looked more comfortable in their understanding of the defense system.

“We beat ourselves,” said Frank McCrystal, Rams Head Coach. “Dropped balls, penalties, those are things we can control and did not.”

“The last six minutes of the half hurt us. We had three first downs that were negated by penalty and it was probably 50-60 yards of offense almost each one of those times.”

While McCrystal said the Rams beat themselves through lack of execution, he said there were encouraging things to be found following the loss.

“The amount of pressure we put on our defense going into the season and the fact they played very well is one positive. Some of the young guys that came in, 17-18 year olds like Kidby, Solomon and Brenden Owens. I’m pleased with that,” said McCrsytal.

“We’re a work in progress and we may not lose another game this year. Physically we took it to them and we didn’t get beat up by guys who are six, seven, 10 years older than our guys. I’m feeling there are enough positives in this game that we can build on that.”

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