The University of Regina Rams will officially hit the field for the first time in the 2011 season on Friday morning at the U of R Field, kicking off what will be the first of four consecutive two-practice days.

The Rams practice at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before reverting to nightly practices beginning Tuesday. The team will square off with Manitoba in a non-conference game at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 27 and start the Canada West schedule at home against UBC on Friday, Sept. 2.

The Rams return almost the entire roster from last year's team that finished in third place in the Canada West standings with a 5-3 conference record. Nine offensive starters and 10 defensive starters from the 2010 roster are also in camp this year.

“We return a strong veteran core this year, and they've all worked extremely hard through the offseason,” Rams head coach Frank McCrystal said. “I expect the returning players to be well conditional, strong, and prepared for a tough Canada West schedule, and I also expect some of the newcomers to be able to step in and contribute immediately.”

Three fifth-year players are expected to lead the Rams' offence this season, one of which will be quarterback Marc Mueller. Mueller attended the Edmonton Eskimos' training camp earlier this summer and has led the conference in passing yards in both of the past two seasons. Running back Adrian Charles and slotback Brenden Owens, both entering their final season of CIS eligibility, will again play a big role when the Rams have the ball.

Cornerback Jamir Walker will return for his fourth season of eligibility after a breakout campaign in 2010 that saw him become the first University of Regina defensive back to be named a first-team All-Canadian. Also returning is defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, who was named a Canada West all-star in his first year of Canadian football. The Rams return nine starters on the defensive side of the ball but will need to find replacements for middle linebacker Bruce Anderson and safety Matt Yausie, who both graduated after being named conference all-stars last season.

Here's a quick position-by-position preview of the Rams entering the 2011 camp –

Quarterback
Key returner: Marc Mueller
Mueller, who is entering his fifth season with the Rams and his third as the team's starting quarterback, has been one of the top pivots in the country over the past two seasons. The school's all-time leader with a 60% completion rate, Mueller will be backed up by redshirt freshman Dylan Hart and incoming first-year player Frankie Gray (Campbell Collegiate).

Running Back
Key returner: Adrian Charles
Key newcomer: Mark Coons
Charles had a fine first season with the Rams last season, being named a first-team All-Canadian and a Canada West all-star after setting the school's single-season record with 972 rushing yards. Charles returns for his final season of CIS eligibility, with second-year player Dillon Dawson and newcomer Mark Coons (a 2010 Prairie Football Conference all-star with the Regina Thunder) vying for time behind him.

Receivers
Key returners: Brenden Owens, Mark McConkey, Jared Janotta, Connor Haas
Key newcomers: Jay Smith, Ian Miller, Addison Richards
Key loss: Chris King
Owens already stands among the school's leaders in several receiving categories with a full year remaining with the Rams, while McConkey has been equally impressive in just three full seasons with the team. Jared Janotta could be poised for a breakout season, as the second-year slotback was injured in last year's camp but collected over 100 receiving yards in both Canada West games he played. Junior recruits Ian Miller (Saskatoon Hilltops) and Jay Smith (Regina Thunder) and first-year player Addison Richards (Sheldon-Williams Collegiate) could make an immediate impact as newcomers in 2011.

Offensive Line
Key returners: Brenden Bennett, Steve Hanson, Chris Mercer, Brett Jones
Key newcomers: Anthony Dale, Joel Hrycyk, Michael Bradshaw
Key losses: John Hashem, Devin Hillier
The Rams lose starting left guard Devin Hillier and right tackle John Hashem, but return four experienced veterans on the line in Brenden Bennett, Steve Hanson, Chris Mercer, and Brett Jones. The team brought in a troika of junior recruits – including two from the Saskatoon Hilltops (Anthony Dale and PFC all-star Joel Hrycyk) and one from the Regina Thunder (Michael Bradshaw) – that should be able to help fill the void left by the departure of the two fifth-year players.

Defensive Line
Key returners: Akiem Hicks, Stefan Charles, Benton Gieni, Logan Brooks
Key newcomers: Ryan Wellman
The Rams return all four of their starters on the defensive line, a quartet which combined for 10 sacks last season (led by 3½ from Logan Brooks and three by Stefan Charles). Back in the mix this year will be Ryan Wellman, who started for the Rams at defensive end as a first-year player in 2009 before playing junior football for the Vancouver Island Raiders last season.

Linebackers
Key returner: Chris Sciog
Key newcomer: Adam Grilj
Key loss: Bruce Anderson
The Rams will miss middle linebacker Bruce Anderson this season, but have high hopes for newcomer Adam Grilj. Grilj comes to the Rams from the British Columbia Football Conference's Westshore Rebels, where he was named a league all-star last season after recording 36 tackles, 16 assisted tackles, and two sacks. Outside linebacker Chris Sciog returns for his fourth season of eligibility after registering a team-leading 43 total tackles in 2010.

Defensive Backs
Key returners: Jamir Walker, Steve Famulak, Mike Kerr, Kirby Kezama, Daniel Knaus
Key newcomers: Cody Johnstone, Kahlen Branning
Key loss: Matt Yausie
The Rams return five starters in the defensive backfield this season, losing only safety Matt Yausie from last year's squad. The team has a few options to replace Yausie, including Brady Aulie or – as the Rams did for the last two games of 2010 – moving Kirby Kezama over from the corner. Junior recruit Cody Johnstone – named the PFC's Outstanding Defensive Back following the 2009 campaign – could make an immediate impact, while Moose Jaw's Kahlen Branning (Central Collegiate) will be a player to watch as he makes a tough conversion from high school quarterback to CIS defensive back.

Punter/Kicker
Key returner: Chris Bodnar
Chris Bodnar signed with the Edmonton (CFL) back in January, but will return for his second season with the Rams after being cut by the Eskimos. He was a Canada West all-star last season after leading the conference with an average of 41 yards per punt. Bodnar also hit 12 of his 18 field goal attempts and was successful on 30 of his 32 point after attempts.

2011 Training Camp Schedule
Aug. 18 – Team retreat (Lumsden)
Aug. 19-22 – On field from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 3:00-5:05 p.m.
Aug. 23-24 – On field at 7:00 p.m.
Aug. 25-26 – On field at 5:00 p.m.
Aug. 27 – Non-conference game vs. Manitoba (1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium)
Aug. 28 – On field at 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 29-31 – On field at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 1 – On field at 5:00 p.m.
Sept. 2 – Canada West opener vs. UBC (7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium)