Frankly Speaking: Rams need to develop
consistency
By Greg Urbanoski
While the University of Regina Rams improved their season
record to 3-2 with a 28-15 win over the University of Alberta,
the team still needs to develop consistency and a killer
instinct if it wants to make an impact in Canada West in 2008.
Playing against the Bears and a 65 kilometre an hour wind, the
Rams entered the fourth quarter with an 18-1 lead and the wind
at their backs, but the Bears mounted a furious comeback that
fell just short and the Rams got a last minute touchdown thanks
to an outstanding defensive play setting them up on the Bears
one yard line.
“We did some good things and then we do some poor things,” said
Rams Head Coach Frank McCrystal after the game. “We let them
back in the game.
“They drove the ball against the wind from their 22 yard line
and score a touchdown. Then we have them third and 13 and they
score a touchdown again. Offensively we have got to sustain
drives. 28 points is really only 18 points, the last touchdown
was a defensive touchdown.”
On the positive side, McCrystal said the Rams are continuing to
win, having put together a three game winning streak after
opening the season with two losses. He was happy the Rams
managed to eliminate some of the turnovers which have plagued
them this season.
McCrystal said the Bears second half comeback needs to be
examined by the Rams. The Rams made the decision to take the
ball in the fourth quarter and with their lead felt they could
build on that. Instead, the Bears came back in a spirited
fashion that marked the parity in Canada West this season.
“This is really hard to play in this weather,” said McCrystal.
“We had four of our five games in wind like this.
“Last week (against Simon Fraser) was worse. It takes away from
the pass and they load up the box against the run. When we had
the wind in the fourth quarter we needed to do a better job.
But we got the win and we go to play Calgary next weekend.”
McCrystal said the Rams had a first half but again emphasized
that despite its record, the Bears are a good football team.
The fourth quarter bothered McCrystal, especially with a 18-1
lead.
“We should have been able to bury them but we only put up three
more points on a 43 yard field goal,” said McCrystal. “We need
to do a better job with rhythm and consistency.
“We need to do better! However we’re three and two and that
gets pretty close to the playoffs. I think four wins will get
you in the way things are going now. But we have to work hard
to get that fourth win and work hard in the next three games to
get some position in the playoffs but it’s a tough league.”
The Rams played the Bears who were coming off a bye week and
next week will play the Dinos in Calgary who are also coming
off a bye week. The Rams will play their next two games in
Alberta, first in Calgary and then in Edmonton for a rematch
with the Bears.
“We need to have a little more control from time to time,
whether it is on the field, sidelines, offense and defense. We
may need to sit down and establish that and get some
leadership,” said McCrystal.
