Complete Game Notes
KICKOFF: Sept. 18 (7:00 p.m.)
SITE: Griffiths Stadium (Saskatoon, Sask.)
CAPACITY: 5743
RANKINGS: Regina NR, Saskatchewan NR
TELEVISION: Canada West Football on Shaw - Access7 in Regina (Jim Mullin/PxP, Jesse Lumsden/CC)
REGINA RADIO: 620 CKRM (Michael Ball/PxP,
Braden Konschuh/CC)
SASKATOON RADIO: CJWW 600 AM (Dave Thomas/PxP, Barclay Schlosser/CC)
LIVE VIDEO: www.canadawest.tv ($)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:• Both teams enter the weekend at 0-2, but the winner will immediately pull into a tie for the fourth and final Canada West postseason spot
• The two teams have one common opponent this year - Alberta defeated Regina 29-22 in Week 1, then beat Saskatchewan 38-26 last weekend
• Friday will mark the first of two meetings between the provincial rivals this season - they'll also play in Regina (Oct. 30) to close out the conference schedule
• The Rams will be attempting to snap a three-game losing skid to the U of S - they last beat the Huskies in 2012, winning in Saskatoon in a conference game and again over the Huskies in a home playoff game
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Rams have played no other opponent more than Saskatchewan, as this will be the 27th Canada West game played between the two teams since 1999. The Huskies own a 20-6 advantage in conference play, though the Rams have a 3-2 edge in five postseason meetings.
SIMON JUMPS UP CAREER CHART: He might be only in his second year with the Rams, but RB
Atlee Simon jumped from eighth all the way to fourth on the U of R's all-time rushing list after piling up a career-high 207 rushing yards last week at UBC. He leapfrogged Mark Anderson, Derek Belvedere, Luke Derkson, and Michael Kiapway but has a long way to go to reel in Adrian Charles for third place - Simon now has 920 career rushing yards, but is less than halfway to the 1883 that Charles put up in two seasons with the Rams.
5-FOR-5: Simon has now started five Canada West games for the Rams, including the first two weeks of this season and the last three conference games of 2014. He's rushed for at least 100 yards in all five of them, collecting a total of 776 yards during that span.
SASKATOON CONNECTION: It'll be a homecoming of sorts for
Keenan Carrier, who was part of the Saskatoon Hilltops teams that won CJFL national championships in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Carrier got his first career start with the Rams last week at UBC, and is expected to again start at right guard on Friday. Also from the area is linebacker
Alex Rorke, who hails from nearby Vanscoy and will be in uniform for the Rams. They've also got Saskatoon product
Parker Scott (Centennial Collegiate) on the roster, but the first-year running back won't be on the 45-man lineup for this one.
INJURY UPDATE: The Rams lost QB
Noah Picton in the second quarter of last week after absorbing a hit following a completed pass, but he's expected to start under centre for the Rams on Friday. They'll still be without DL
Tyler Perkins (injured in Week 1) and OL
Jeremy Zver (injured in practice leading up to the UBC game), and also lost rookie OL
Braydon Johnson last week for what's expected to be a significant amount of time.
RAMS IN THE PROS: The Rams currently boast three former players in the NFL, including DL Stefan Charles (Buffalo), DL Akiem Hicks (New Orleans), and P Jon Ryan (Seattle). OL Brett Jones was making a push for the New York Giants' 53-man roster, but suffered a suspected MCL sprain in their final preseason game and was put on injured reserve. Five former Rams are currently in the CFL, including LS Jorgen Hus and OL Brendon LaBatte who are both on Saskatchewan's active roster. WR
Addison Richards (Winnipeg) and SB Chris Getzlaf (Saskatchewan) are both on the six-game injured list, while CB
Tevaughn Campbell is on Calgary's practice roster.
RAMS FAMILY TIES:• OL
Aaron Picton and SB
Mitchell Picton - brothers
• DB
Luke Wilson and SB
Riley Wilson - brothers
• OL
Aaron Picton/SB
Mitchell Picton, QB
Noah Picton, RB
Blake Anaka - cousins
• Defensive line coach
Greg Nesbitt and LB
Danny Nesbitt - father/son
•
Greg Nesbitt and defensive coordinator
Paul Dawson - brothers-in-law
PLAYER NOTES#1 Jens Johnson (FB • 4th • 5-10/205 • Regina, Sask.)Starting fullback ... has returned two short kickoffs for a total of 10 yards ... team captain.
#2 Andrew Fabian (K • 5th • 6-0/195 • Tilley, Alta.)Averaging 38.3 yards on 15 punts and has pinned the opposition inside their 20-yard line six times ... 1-for-2 on FG attempts this season.
#3 Michael Webber (RB • 2nd • 6-3/245 • Guelph, Ont.) Has been one of the returners on all eight opposition kickoffs, but doesn't have a return yet this season ... now No. 2 on the depth chart at RB.
#4 Noah Picton (QB • 2nd • 5-10/180 • Regina, Sask.)Completed 60% of his passes for 377 yards and two TDs ... injured in second quarter last week and missed remainder of that game, but will return this week ... team captain.
#5 Kahlen Branning (DB • 4th • 6-1/190 • Moose Jaw, Sask.)Team's starter at boundary corner ... fifth on the Rams in tackles (6 solo, 2 assisted) ... had an onside kick recovery on the first play of the second half last week at UBC.
#6 Mitchell Picton (SB • 3rd • 6-3/200 • Regina, Sask.)Now the team's top receiver after catching eight passes for 109 yards last game ... has 13 catches for 172 yards this season.
#7 Ellis Richards (QB • 1st • 6-0/195 • Regina, Sask.)Still could redshirt this season, but will be in the lineup this week as the No. 3 QB ... younger brother of Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver
Addison Richards.
#8 Richard Sindani (WR • 3rd • 6-3/210 • Regina, Sask.)Fourth on the Rams in both receptions (6) and receiving yards (110) ... one of three Rams with at least one TD reception this season.
#9 Jordy Kibamba (DB • 3rd • 6-2/180 • Calgary, Alta.)Has started at field corner in both of the team's Canada West games ... has four solo tackles and a pass breakup this season.
#10 Jeff Propp (DB • 3rd • 6-0/185 • Regina, Sask.)Has started at halfback and safety the first two games, but will back up at halfback this week ... fourth on the Rams in tackles (7 solo, 2 assisted).
#11 Andrew Bennett (WR • 4th • 6-4/225 • Miami Lakes, Fla.)Second on the team in both major receiving categories ... has 11 catches for 170 yards entering Week 3 including a season-long 37-yard reception.
#12 Preston Paulson (DB • 3rd • 6-0/200 • Terrell, Texas)Saw significant playing time last week at UBC and is expected to start at safety on Friday ... has 2½ tackles this season.
#14 Ryan Schienbein (SB • 1st • 5-9/170 • Regina, Sask.)Two-time Schwann Conference Special Teams Player of the Year for Balfour Collegiate ... has four punt returns for an average of 4.8 yards.
#15 Tyler Vieira (QB • 3rd • 5-11/200 • Winnipeg, Man.)Former Winnipeg Rifles QB stepped in last week after Picton's injury ... was 17-for-31 and finished with 286 passing yards and two TD passes.
#16 Korey Greene (DB • 3rd • 6-0/175 • Toronto, Ont.)Starting halfback is the only Rams player with multiple pass breakups ... also tied for second on the team in tackles (8 solo, 2 assisted).
#18 Frankie Gray (DB • 4th • 5-10/185 • Regina, Sask.)Recovered one of the team's two onside kicks in the third quarter of last week's game at UBC ... also has 2½ tackles this season.
#24 Polis Koko (DB • 1st • 5-9/155 • Regina, Sask.)Three-time provincial champion at LeBoldus … on the depth as a backup at boundary corner.
#26 Davin Johnston (SB • 3rd • 6-0/190 • Regina, Sask.)Two catches for nine yards this season ... started at slotback in Week 1, but backed up in Week 2 and is expected to be No. 2 on the depth again Friday.
#27 Joey Dwyer (DB • 4th • 6-2/200 • Regina, Sask.)Fourth on the Rams with 33½ tackles and was a Canada West all-star in 2014 ... has 3½ tackles and a pass breakup this season ... team captain.
#32 Mason Rossler (DB • 2nd • 6-0/185 • Regina, Sask.)Started at safety in Week 1 and at halfback last week at UBC ... expected to start at hawk this Friday ... tied for second on the team in tackles (8 solo, 2 assisted) and has a TFL and a pass breakup.
#34 Ryan Serbu (DB • 2nd • 5-11/175 • Regina, Sask.)Started at field corner in the non-conference game but was injured and missed the first two Canada West games ... should return to the lineup this week and could step right in at field corner.
#36 Atlee Simon (RB • 2nd • 6-0/205 • Regina, Sask.)Has set new career highs in rushing both games this year, piling up 189 in Week 1 and 207 last week ... second in both Canada West and the CIS in rushing yards per game (198).
#41 Zack McEachern (LB • 3rd • 6-0/225 • Calgary, Alta.)Has three solo tackles and two assisted tackles this year, including one assisted TFL.
#44 Michael Stefanovic (LB • 3rd • 5-10/210 • Moose Jaw, Sask.)Canada West all-star in 2013 ... team's leader in tackles (8 solo, 8 assisted) and tackles for loss (1½) ... in his third year as team's starting WLB.
#45 Sam Varao (FB • 1st • 6-0/220 • Victoria, B.C.)Played his first career game for the Rams last week at UBC, just a ferry ride away from his hometown of Victoria ... redshirted last season.
#46 Alex Rorke (LB • 1st • 6-1/210 • Vanscoy, Sask.)Homecoming of sorts this week as his hometown of Vanscoy is just a few minutes southwest of Saskatoon ... redshirted last season ... has a pair of solo tackles this year.
#47 Danny Nesbitt (LB • 2nd • 6-2/230 • Regina, Sask.)Has a pair of assisted tackles this season ... one of three current Rams to have played for Canada's U19 team at the 2015 International Bowl.
#48 Mitch Morrison (LB • 3rd • 6-0/215 • Wilcox, Sask.)On the depth chart as a backup linebacker ... has one assisted tackle this year.
#49 Tyler Perkins (DL • 5th • 6-3/250 • Campbell River, B.C.)One of six fifth-year players on the Rams ... tied for the school's all-time lead in blocked kicks ... injured against Alberta and is still out this week.
#50 Braydon Johnson (OL • 1st • 6-3/285 • Moose Jaw, Sask.)Backup tackle in both Week 1 and Week 2 for the Rams, but is out after being injured at UBC.
#52 Matt Degelman (OL • 3rd • 6-3/265 • Regina, Sask.)In his third year as the team's starting RT ... hasn't missed a game in his CIS career ... including postseason, has 19 career GP and 18 games started.
#54 Jeremy Zver (OL • 5th • 6-5/285 • Regina, Sask.)Started at left tackle in Week 1 but was injured in practice leading up to the UBC game ... last week was his first missed game since joining the Rams in 2013 ... expected to be out this week as well ... also a key player for the U of R's basketball team.
#55 Kyle Paterson (OL • 5th • 6-3/275 • Weyburn, Sask.)Canada West all-star in 2014 ... selected in the fifth round of the 2014 CFL Draft by Saskatchewan ... attended training camp with the Roughriders in both 2014 and 2015 ... including postseason, has 31 career games played and 17 games started.
#57 Thomas Lill (DL • 3rd • 6-4/330 • Aurora, Ont.)No. 2 on the depth chart at both the defensive tackle and the nose tackle positions.
#58 Nathan Cugnet (OL • 4th • 6-0/285 • Weyburn, Sask.)Has transitioned into a full-time role as the team's starting centre ... including postseason, has 17 career games played and six games started.
#64 Keenan Carrier (OL • 5th • 6-1/300 • Tisdale, Sask.)Got his first career start last week at UBC thanks to the Zver injury ... won three CJFL championships with the Saskatoon Hilltops before coming over to the Rams ... will start again at RG.
#65 Aaron Picton (OL • 5th • 6-4/295 • Regina, Sask.)Team captain and the Rams' most experienced lineman ... with the Zver injury, has moved from right guard to left tackle ... including postseason, has 36 career games played and 24 games started ... 2015 draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders.
#66 John Lerach (OL • 1st • 6-0/285 • Regina, Sask.)May still redshirt this season, but will dress for his first career game this Friday as a backup guard ... won a 3A city championship last year with Luther.
#67 Roe Borgmann (OL • 1st • 6-1/270 • Lumsden, Sask.)On the depth chart as the No. 2 centre behind Cugnet ... redshirted with the Rams last season.
#69 Bryce McKinnon (DL • 3rd • 6-0/285 • Cochrane, Alta.)Second season as the team's starting nose tackle ... has one solo tackle and four assisted tackles ... also has a half TFL.
#80 Daniel Scraper (K/WR • 1st • 5-11/150 • Regina, Sask.)First season of CIS eligibility but redshirted with the Rams last year ... provides depth at placekicker, punter, and wide receiver.
#82 Mitch Thompson (WR • 3rd • 5-10/190 • Regina, Sask.)Third on the team in both receptions (7) and receiving yards (127), all of which came last week at UBC ... six of those receptions (and 123 yards) came off passes from Vieira.
#83 Riley Wilson (SB • 4th • 6-3/205 • Regina, Sask.)Four catches for 30 yards this year ... normally utilized as a third slotback in the team's five-receiver package.
#91 Matt Moore (DL • 1st • 6-1/260 • Regina, Sask.)In his rookie season with the Rams after winning three provincial titles with LeBoldus ... No. 2 on the depth chart at defensive end.
#92 Grey McKen (DL • 2nd • 6-3/240 • Yorkton, Sask.)Missed most of camp due to injury, but returned for Week 1 and emerged as the starting defensive end after Perkins went down ... has a solo tackle and a pair of assisted tackles, including one assisted TFL ... expected to start at DE on Friday.
#96 Eric Wicijowski (DL • 2nd • 6-2/265 • Regina, Sask.)Has started both games for the Rams at defensive tackle ... has two solo tackles and a pass breakup ... with McKen, one of two Rams DL who played for Canada U19 at the 2015 International Bowl.
#98 Ajai Washington (DL • 1st • 6-3/230 • Dallas, Texas)One of four Texans on the Rams' 2015 roster ... was named an all-district lineman for Woodrow Wilson HS last year ... listed as No. 2 on the depth chart at rush end.
#99 David Julé (DL • 1st • 6-4/235 • Moose Jaw, Sask.)Starting rush end despite only being in his first season of CIS eligibility ... redshirted with the Rams last year ... has one solo tackle and four assisted tackles this season.
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