Regina Rams Aim to Shock the World in Season Opener Against Calgary Dinos

The University of Regina Rams open the 2024 season Friday in Calgary ranked at the bottom of the U Sports Canada West football rankings. Coming off a 1-and-7 last place finish a year ago, head coach Mark McConkey isn’t surprised at being ranked 24th nationally out of 27 programs in the country. “There’s no reason for them to put us first”, McConkey said. “It helps encourage us. It puts a little gasoline on the fire to show this is what everyone thinks of us so let’s go do what we do and play Rams football and shock the world, so we’re excited about that.”

The coach cites an older and bigger defensive line among the reasons for his newfound optimism. The University of Calgary Dinos, the one team the Rams managed to beat last year, is ranked 4th in Canada West and 13th nationally. The Rams head coach, entering his 4th season, admits there is a heightened sense of urgency to get back to the playoffs with the national spotlight coming toward the program ahead of Regina hosting the 2025 Vanier Cup. “We went after a few more older junior players to try and speed that (re-building process) up in some areas and I think it’s going to pay off this year for us”, McConkey said. “A little bit more pressure but there’s always pressure to win in Saskatchewan football. There’s Rams alumni who when you go 1-and-7 are like ‘What’s going on and why aren’t we better?’ and that’s good. That’s what we want. You’d rather have people care than not care.”

Rams' History Against the Dinos

The Rams have had great success against the Dinos in the McConkey era since the pandemic going 4-and-0 including a win at McMahon Stadium in 2022 which snapped a 19-year-drought for the U of R in that park. This game will be broadcast live on 620 CKRM with an early 5:15 pregame show and kickoff at 5:30.

The Dinos' Perspective

The Dinos, on the other hand, are coming off a successful season that saw them reach the Canada West semifinals. They are looking to build on that momentum and make a deep run in the playoffs this year. The Dinos have a strong roster with several key players returning from last year’s team. They are led by quarterback, who was named the Canada West MVP last season. The Dinos are expected to be one of the top teams in Canada West this year.

Rams' Key Players to Watch

The Rams will be looking to their key players to lead the way. These include:

Running Back: is a dynamic playmaker who can make big plays both running and receiving the ball. He will be a key player to watch in the Rams’ offense.
Wide Receiver: is a big target for the Rams’ quarterbacks. He has the ability to make tough catches and can stretch the field with his speed.
Defensive Line: The Rams have a strong defensive line that will be looking to disrupt the Dinos’ offense. This unit will be key in stopping the Dinos’ running game and putting pressure on the quarterback.

The Dinos' Key Players to Watch

The Dinos will be looking to their key players to lead the way. These include:

Quarterback: is a highly skilled quarterback who can make all the throws. He will be looking to lead the Dinos to another successful season.
Running Back: is a powerful running back who can break tackles and gain yards. He will be a key player for the Dinos’ offense.
Wide Receiver: is a dangerous receiver who can make big plays in the passing game. He will be a key target for the Dinos’ quarterbacks.
Defensive Back: is a playmaking defensive back who can intercept passes and make tackles. He will be a key player in the Dinos’ secondary.

Season Opener: A Battle for the Ages

The season opener between the Rams and Dinos is sure to be a great game. Both teams have a lot to prove and will be looking to get off to a strong start. It will be a battle of two teams with different strengths and weaknesses. The Rams will need to play a perfect game to pull off an upset. However, they have the potential to surprise some people and make a statement in this game. The Dinos are the favorites, but the Rams will be looking to shock the world. The outcome of this game will be a good indication of what to expect from both teams in the upcoming season.

What's Next for the Rams?

The Rams will be looking to build on this game and continue to improve as the season progresses. They will need to find a way to win consistently if they want to reach the playoffs. The Rams will have their work cut out for them if they want to achieve their goals this season.

Final Thoughts

This game is a must-watch for any U Sports football fan. It is a chance to see two of the top teams in Canada West battle it out. The Rams will be looking to pull off an upset, while the Dinos will be looking to make a statement. The outcome of this game will be a good indication of what to expect from both teams in the upcoming season.