The University of Regina Rams didn’t exactly start the 2012 Canada West season with a bang, dropping their game last Saturday 37-21. Mind you, it was a road game, and they were matched up against one of the top-ranked teams in the nation in the Calgary Dinosaurs.
Statistically, they held their own against the Dinos on the offensive side of the ball, at least as far as the passing game went. Fifth-year QB Marc Mueller, playing his first game after spending the entire 2011 season on the shelf with a shoulder injury, was 32 of 48 for 344 yards and one interception. Running the ball, though, the Rams could only manage 55 net yards compared to the Dinos 188 yards. Trailing 22-15 at half-time, the Rams were done in by a disastrous third quarter where they were outscored 12-0.
A surprise team last season in Canada West, where they finished second with a 6-2 record and defeated the Rams in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Dinos in the Canada West final*, the UBC Thunderbirds are off to a slow start in 2012 as well. Last Saturday they dropped a 31-24 decision at home to the Manitoba Bisons in a game where both teams rushed for over 250 yards. UBC, in fact, nearly broke the 300 yard barrier, so when the Rams take the field at Mosaic Stadium tonight for their home opener their run defence will be put to the test.
Game time is 7 p.m.
* After the 2011 season was over, the Thunderbirds were stripped of all their victories for using an ineligible player.
