Rams kick off 2011 Spring Camp

REGINA, Sask. – The University of Regina Rams will hold their 2011 Spring Camp this weekend beginning on Friday and running through Sunday on campus at the U of R Field. The camp starts out on Friday with practices at 3 and 7:30 p.m., continues on Saturday with on-field sessions at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and wraps up with a scrimmage on Sunday beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The camp will mark the team’s first time back on the field since their 2010 season ended. The Rams are expected to lose just four starters from last year’s team that placed third in the Canada West standings last season with a 5-3 conference record.
Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the team’s spring camp roster:

Quarterback
The Rams are set at quarterback as fifth-year pivot Marc Mueller returns for his final CIS season and his third as a starter. Mueller, who led Canada West and set University of Regina single-season records in both pass completions (182) and completion rate (65.5%) in 2010, also rushed 33 times for 218 yards and four majors last season. Second-year quarterback Matt Lang and redshirt Dylan Hart will battle for the job as Mueller’s backup.
Returning: Dylan Hart, Matt Lang, Marc Mueller.
Attending Camp: Frankie Gray (Campbell Collegiate).
Lost: Billy McConkey.

Running Back
One of the most dynamic backs ever to suit up for the Rams, Adrian Charles rushed for a school-record 972 yards last season and had nine rushing touchdowns. Charles, named a first-team All-Canadian, will return for his final season of eligibility in 2011. Also in camp is Taylor Kidby, who suited up for the Rams in 2007 and last played for the Vancouver Island Raiders, and former Regina Thunder back Mark Coons.
Returning: Adrian Charles, Dillon Dawson.
Attending Camp: Mark Coons (Regina Thunder), Brad Grywul (Michael A. Riffel HS), Mike Kiapway (Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary), Taylor Kidby (Vancouver Island Raiders), Gage McKay (Bert Fox Composite HS), Joel Mukendi (Lumsden HS).
Lost: Cale Inglis.

Receiver
The Rams are experienced at the receiver positions, where they return two starting slotbacks (Rory Copithorn and second-team All-Canadian Brenden Owens) and two starting wide receivers (Mark McConkey and Connor Haas). Jared Janotta exploded for the Rams late last season and will figure into the offence in a major way, while the coaching staff expects Zach Oleynik to continue his rapid development in his second year on campus.
Returning: Landon Buch, Ty Buhler, Rory Copithorn, Will Disbery, Connor Haas, Sean Herperger, Jared Janotta, Mark McConkey, Zach Oleynik, Brenden Owens, Jason Price, Catlin Schneider.
Attending Camp: Jake Altilio (Calgary Colts), Preston Bews (Winston Knoll Collegiate), Thomas Bresciani (Weyburn Comprehensive), Joey Dwyer (Sheldon-Williams Collegiate), Connor Ferguson (Central Collegiate), Ian Miller (Saskatoon Hilltops), Addison Richards (Sheldon-Williams Collegiate), Nathan Schulte (Sheldon-Williams Collegiate), Matt Schultz (Winston Knoll Collegiate), Jay Smith (Regina Thunder), Mitchell Thompson (Winston Knoll Collegiate), Derek Yachison (Murdoch MacKay Collegiate).
Lost: Jacob Carr, Chris King, Devin Sakaluk.

Offensive Line
The Rams lose two of their starting offensive lineman, as right tackle John Hashem and left guard Devin Hillier both graduated. Brenden Bennett, Steve Hanson, Chris Mercer, and Brett Jones should all figure into the equation on the line, while Anthony Dale and Joel Hrycyk – who both come to the Rams from the Saskatoon Hilltops – are expected to make an immediate impact.
Returning: Brenden Bennett, Dane Eremenko, Steve Hanson, Brett Jones, Julius Landry, Chris Mercer, Kyle Paterson, Aaron Picton, David Stefanuk.
Attending Camp: Paul Belanger (Sisler HS), Luke Berezny (Miller Comprehensive HS), Cy Bray (Sheldon-Williams Collegiate), Anthony Dale (Saskatoon Hilltops), Joel Hrycyk (Saskatoon Hilltops), Andy MacLeod (Winston Knoll Collegiate), Max Ziegler (Michael A. Riffel HS).
Lost: John Hashem, Devin Hillier.

Defensive Backs
All-star safety Matt Yausie and cornerback Jeff Lukomski both graduated, but the Rams return five starters in the defensive backfield – halfbacks Kirby Kezama and Mike Kerr, cornerbacks Jamir Walker and Daniel Knaus, and dimeback Steve Famulak. Newcomers attending camp include a trio of players with junior experience (Cody Johnstone, Catlin Kezama, and Walker Morrison) and Kahlen Branning, a highly touted recruit out of Moose Jaw’s Central Collegiate.
Returning: Brady Aulie, Aric Desmarais, Justin Edralin, Steve Famulak, Mike Kerr, Cody Kezama, Kirby Kezama, Daniel Knaus, Jamir Walker, Taylor Wandler.
Attending Camp: Kahlen Branning (Central Collegiate), Graeme Harrison (Albert E. Peacock Collegiate), Cody Johnstone (Regina Thunder), Catlin Kezama (Vancouver Island Raiders), Sam Kosolofski (Luther College HS), Steven McAlpine (Sheldon-Williams Collegiate), Walker Morrison (Vancouver Island Raiders), Chris Tunnicliff (Sheldon-Williams Collegiate), Shida Wang.
Lost: Jeff Lukomski, Matt Yausie.

Linebackers
Chris Sciog, who had a team-leading 43 tackles last season as the team’s starting outside linebacker, is the team’s top returner as middle linebacker Bruce Anderson graduates. There’s expected to be a battle to fill the spot vacated by Anderson, as the Rams return six linebackers from last year’s roster besides Sciog and three players with junior experience – Philmon Bairu, Adam Grilj, and Cam Hoffman – will all be attending camp.
Returning: Austin Bates, Zach Gorski, Jorgen Hus, Tyler Mantyak, Mitch Morrison, Chris Sciog, Tanner Stewart
Attending Camp: Philmon Bairu (Regina Thunder), Michael Bittman (Estevan Comprehensive), Jauvard Gentles (Ross Sheppard HS), Adam Grilj (Westshore Rebels), Cam Hoffman (Vancouver Island Raiders).
Lost: Bruce Anderson, Chris Gregory.

Defensive Line
The Rams are expected to look much the same in 2011, as starters Logan Brooks, Stefan Charles, Benton Gieni, and Akiem Hicks will all return. Hicks, who had 20½ tackles last season and was named a Canada West all-star, highlights the group of returners. Also back in the fold is Ryan Wellman, who played for the Vancouver Island Raiders last season after spending two years with the Rams.
Returning: Steve Arens, Logan Brooks, Stefan Charles, Marco Contenti, Benton Gieni, Akiem Hicks, Brad Irwin, Tyler Perkins.
Attending Camp: Terry Giovannetti (Archbishop M.C. O’Neill HS), Zach Rensby (Estevan Comprehensive), Brett Wade (Miller Comprehensive HS), Ryan Wellman (Vancouver Island Raiders).
Lost: Jas Dhillon.

Punter/Kicker
Canada West all-star Chris Bodnar has two seasons of CIS eligibility remaining, but his future with the Rams is up in the air after inking a two-year deal with the Edmonton Eskimos back in January. Should Bodnar stick in the CFL, the Rams will need to find someone else to handle the punting and placekicking duties.
Returning: Chris Bodnar.
Attending Camp: Mark Mueller (Vancouver Island Raiders), Stefano Papandreos (Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS), Jordan Sugarman (Southey), Chris Tunnicliff (Sheldon-Williams Collegiate).

Braden Konschuh
Sports Information Director