New faces set to lead U of R Rams into 2019

The University of Regina Rams are set to enter a new era in 2019.

The team will be without quarterback Noah Picton after he concluded his fifth and final year of U Sports eligibility in 2018. He finished his career as the U Sports all-time passing yards king.

The Rams also are without running back Atlee Simon, who finished his five-season Rams career as the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,295), rushing touchdowns (22), and touchdowns scored (31).

Head coach Stephen Bryce said the players will be missed but it also gives the younger guys a great opportunity.

“It’s not like people are expecting the playmaker to come out here and make the play,” Bryce said following a training-camp workout Sunday at the school. “Everyone’s rising to the challenge.

“Everyone wants to take over that (playmaker) role. They’re doing it the right way by building each other up.”

The team will also be looking to leave a tumultuous 2018 season in its rear-view mirror.

The Rams forfeited three wins last season because Canada West ruled they had fielded an ineligible player due to an academic issue. The Rams also saw one of their players charged with assault, but the charges were later withdrawn.

Adding to the team’s run of misfortune, running back Kyle Borsa was suspended for the 2019 season after testing positive for a banned substance he had taken unintentionally.

“You really get to appreciate the good things in life when you experience some of the really negative things in life. Last year was about as low as you can get on a team,” Bryce said.

As the team moves forward, younger members of the Rams’ roster will be called upon to take on leadership roles alongside the veteran players.

One of those will be quarterback Josh Donnelly. The LeBoldus High School product will be the favourite to take over as the team’s new starting pivot after third-year quarterback Seb Britton suffered a torn labrum in the off-season.

Donnelly was redshirted in 2018 but, with injuries to Britton and Picton, he was forced to play against the Calgary Dinos. He completed 20 of his 33 pass attempts for 243 yards and no touchdowns in a 58-6 loss.

“It was really exciting building up (to training camp) and now we’re in the heat of things,” Donnelly said. “It’s just smooth sailing from now on and I’m just taking it one step at a time.”

He said he learned a lot about the mental aspects of the game from Picton last season.

“It was a lot of sitting back and watching him and how he prepares for games, how he prepared for competition,” Donnelly said. “How he handled himself and all those little things are what I can use going into this year.”

Another name for Rams fans to keep an eye on during training camp is linebacker Cody Peters, who joins the team after winning five consecutive CJFL national titles with the Saskatoon Hilltops. Peters also attended the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018.

The Rams’ training camp is to run until Aug. 20. Their pre-season game is set for Aug. 21 against the Manitoba Bisons at Mosaic Stadium.