October 9, 2009

Frankly Speaking: Rams get “character win” against Simon Fraser

By Greg Urbanoski

It was getting hairy on the University of Regina Rams sidelines Friday night against the Simon Fraser Clan.

The Clan had taken a 17-1 half-time lead, only to have the Rams fight back to take a 23-17 lead, and then the Clan came back for a 24-23 lead. The Rams were starting on their 35 yard line, going into the face of a brisk wind, blowing snow and an times an icy field.

Rams quarterback Marc Mueller, who had thrown five interceptions so far in the game, then moved the Rams against the wind and snow to give kicker Perri Scarcelli a shot at a 36 yard field goal into the wind. Scarcelli made the kick, and the Rams emerged with a gusty win to boost their record to 3-2 in Canada West.

“I think offensively guys played tough,” said McCrystal after the game, sporting the rough outline of a rudimentary moustache that he told reporters would have to stick around for at least another week. “We were able to move the ball down the field at the end and make the field goal.

“Certainly both sides of the ball deserve credit. Certainly the defense made some big plays for us in that second half.”

McCrystal was asked what made the difference to the team in the second half.

“I think the guys needed to play with more passion and heart,” said McCrystal. “I think our university and our program and our community does a lot for them and now its time for them to do their part. That’s what we talked about at half-time. We talked to them about stepping up and holding their end of the bargain and certainly that’s what we did in the second half.”

“I think we played with some character certainly in the second half and I think they responded well to the challenge we put to them at half time.”

McCrystal was asked about his level of confidence in Scarcelli making the field goal into the wind in the final minute of the game.

“Perri is really, really good,” said McCrystal. “He said he was good from that distance and when they iced him I thought we had a real chance to win then because he actually responds to that.”

McCrystal was asked about the effect of the bye week on the team, particularly on their performance in the first half.

“I think the layoff affects us and we get mentally lazy,” said McCrystal. “We talked about it during the course of the week about being mentally lazy but I don’t think we snapped out of it until half-time.”

McCrystal said the sheen of snow and ice on the field had no effect on the game because of the tremendous shape of the field.

The Rams now go to Alberta for the next two weeks, playing next Saturday in Edmonton against the University of Alberta, and then returning the following weekend to play the University of Calgary.

“We travel really well and I hope we get better weather,” said McCrystal. “Edmonton is really tough. They are a very physical team but this is not uncommon to Canada West because every week is tough.”

McCrystal walked off the field a happy man Friday night, and probably a little thankful for the scant protection his moustache provided from the elements during the game.

“If we lose, I can take the moustache off, but it’s a win so I’m stuck with it.”