THE GAME
The University of Regina Rams and the Manitoba Bisons will open up the
2010 season the same way the two teams kicked off the 2009 conference
schedule – matched up against each other under the lights in Regina.
Game time is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

THE HEADLINES
► Neither team was ranked in this week’s CIS Top Ten, but Regina
received 26 votes in the poll and Manitoba received two
► The teams will be opening up the Canada West schedule against each
other for the fifth consecutive season and for the seventh time since
the Rams joined the conference in 1999
► The Rams have a 4-6-1 all-time record in both season-opening games
and home openers
► The Rams have a 5-13 record against Manitoba in conference games and
are 1-3 against the Bisons in the postseason
► The Rams are 4-5 all-time against Manitoba at Mosaic Stadium
► Friday’s game will be the third consecutive game played between the
two teams in Regina
► The Rams return nine of 12 offensive starters, losing only Jordan
Sisco, Sheldon Tillotson, and Graham Mosiondz
► The Rams return all five defensive backs from last season, but only
one (fifth-year linebacker Bruce Anderson) of the front seven
► Manitoba will have to replace graduated QB Nathan Friesen, but return
running back Matt Henry and all-star defensive back Pete Adams

UNIVERSITY OF REGINA RAMS (0-0)
It was a fittingly strange ending to a wild Canada West season last
year for the University of Regina Rams. The Rams thought they had
suffered a season-ending loss to Saskatchewan in the final week of the
regular season, but an eligibility ruling against Manitoba pushed Regina
into the playoffs for a rematch against the Huskies in the conference
semifinals.

Saskatchewan prevailed by a 53-23 score in the postseason, but the Rams
return several key players on both the offensive and defensive sides of
the ball and hope that some recruits will be able to make immediate
contributions as the team prepares for the 2010 campaign.

The team’s top returner on offence is quarterback Marc Mueller, who
led Canada West in both passing yards and completions last season. On
defence, look for middle linebacker Bruce Anderson to step up in his
final season of CIS eligibility to provide leadership both on and off
the field.

As for the recruits, look no further than defensive lineman Akiem
Hicks. Standing 6’6” and weighing in at 305 lbs., Hicks comes to the
U of R after stellar seasons in both 2007 and 2008 with Sacramento City
College and is expected to be an impact player after adjusting to the
nuances of the Canadian game. He’ll wear No. 99 with the Rams.

UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS (0-0)
After a tough end to the 2009 season, the Manitoba Bisons football seek
to regroup and make a run into the playoffs for the first time since
winning the Vanier Cup in 2007. In 2009, Manitoba had a 4-4 record on
the field but finished with an official Canada West record of 2-5 due to
using an ineligible player.

Heading into the 2010 season, Manitoba had 85 players in training camp
with almost half (39) being new players to the program. There are eight
of 12 starters on the defence and five of the 12 starters on offence
returning to the Bison squad. Three years removed from winning its third
Vanier Cup in team history, the Bisons only have three players left that
dressed in that championship game. The Herd looks to bounce back from
missing the playoffs for only the fourth time in the last 11 years.

CANADA WEST COACHES PICK RAMS FIFTH
Canada West announced Monday the results of the inaugural coaches’
poll, with Calgary selected as the unanimous favourite to repeat as
conference champions. Calgary garnered the maximum five first-place
votes to end up with 35 points in the poll, while Saskatchewan was
second with 27 points.

Manitoba was third in the poll with 15 points, while UBC finished in
fourth place with 13. Rounding out the poll were Regina (11 points) and
Alberta (7).

FORMER RAMS IN THE PROS
The impressive list of former University of Regina players now toiling
in the professional ranks is led by the Seattle Seahawks’ Jon Ryan,
who ranked No. 8 in the NFL last season with an average of 46.2 yards
per punt. Seven former University of Regina Rams are now in the CFL,
including Chris Bauman (Hamilton), Jason Clermont (Saskatchewan), Chris
Getzlaf (Saskatchewan), Neal Hughes (Saskatchewan), Nick Hutchins
(Saskatchewan), Brendon LaBatte (Winnipeg), and Jordan Sisco
(Saskatchewan).

THE RAMS’ FRONT SEVEN: THEN AND NOW
What a difference a year makes – just one of Regina’s starting front
seven from last year’s opener against Manitoba is expected to get the
start in the 2010 season opener. That lone starter is middle linebacker
Bruce Anderson, in his final season of CIS eligibility.

On the line, both Logan Brooks and Benton Gieni started the 2009
campaign as supporting cast members, but look for Brooks to get the call
at rush end and Gieni to hold down the nose tackle position. The other
two starters on the line will be newcomers. One will be Hicks, while the
other will be former Big Kahuna Rams lineman Stefan Charles, who checks
in at 6’5” and 285 lbs. and could occupy the end spot opposite
Brooks.

Chris Sciog (pronounce it “stuke”) is expected to replace Brandon
Ganne at will linebacker for the Rams, while Steve Famulak is the
front-runner to fill in at the spot left by graduated sam linebacker
Thomas Irving.

RALKO RESURFACES
Former U of R slotback Jared Ralko, who played for the Rams in both
2006 and 2007, will be in uniform for Manitoba on Friday night. Ralko
returns to the CIS level after winning the Canadian Bowl in both 2008
and 2009 with the Vancouver Island Raiders.

Courtesy of the University of Regina