Complete Game Notes Package

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.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Live Radio: 620 CKRM (Regina) - 620ckrm.com - Michael Ball and Chad Ehman
• Live Radio: 101.5 UMFM (Winnipeg) - umfm.com - Mike Howard and Matt Rollason
• Television: Access7 - tape delayed to Sunday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. - Lee Jones and Marco Ricci
• Live Statistics: www.reginacougars.com

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.