Game Notes

The Manitoba Bisons and the Regina Rams will open up the 2009 season the same way the two teams ended the 2008 conference schedule – matched up against each other under the lights in Regina. Game time is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

The Rams finished with a 5-3 record last season and in third place in the conference, but enter 2009 as a bit of an unknown entity after losing 12 starters from their roster. However, head coach Frank McCrystal and his staff have been impressed by the strides made by the Rams players since training camp broke on Aug. 21.

“We're going to be a very athletic and very skilled team this season,” McCrystal said. “The biggest key for us heading into a game against a physical, aggressive Manitoba team is that we need to come mentally prepared and play disciplined.”

The Rams' roster turnover sees five starters depart from 2008, including conference all-stars Luke Derkson, Nick Hutchins and Teale Orban. Third-year quarterback Marc Mueller will take over for Orban under centre, while running back Graham Mosiondz will replace Derkson after missing the entire season due to injury. Regina loses seven starters on defence, including all five defensive backs. Expect Kirby Kezamaand Jamir Walker – who both started one game last season as true first-year players – to be among several players that will see greatly expanded roles in the backfield this year.

The Bisons, who finished in fifth place in Canada West last season with a 4-4 record, will also have a new quarterback controlling the offence. John Makie will be replaced by former Winnipeg Rifles quarterback Nathan Friesen, who is entering his final year of CIS eligibility. Friesen saw plenty of action last year as Makie's backup, completing 40 of 83 passes for 441 yards and a touchdown. He'll be throwing to an all-new receiving corps, as the Bisons lose Terry Firr, Randy Simmons, Mike Mizerski, Steve Gronick, and Simon Blaszczak from last year's roster. Manitoba should again be strong on the defensive side of the ball this year, as the Bisons return the majority of players from last year's squad that ranked No. 2 in the conference in both run defence and pass defence.

Friday's meeting will be the only Canada West game between Manitoba and Regina this season, which marks the first time since the 2005 season that the two teams have squared off only once during the conference schedule. The teams split the 2008 season series, with the Bisons winning 25-12 in Winnipeg on Aug. 30 and the Rams replying with a 17-12 victory in Regina on Oct. 24. Regina's win broke a seven-game losing streak against the Bisons, as Manitoba had won every meeting between the two teams since a Rams overtime win in Winnipeg during the 2005 season.

The game can be heard live on radio at 620 CKRM (www.620ckrm.com) in Regina or 101.5 UMFM (www.umfm.com) in Winnipeg. Live stats will also be available through the University of Regina Athletics website at www.reginacougars.com.