U of R Rams hope for improvement after losing every game last season

They didn't win a game all season.

The University of Regina Rams went 0 and 8 last year.

In fact, ever since being appointed the Rams' new coach last month, Steve Bryce says he's constantly reminded of 2015's dubious record under Mike Gibson, who left the team to join the CFL. Gibson was only the second coach of the Rams (since the team joined the CIS in 1999).

They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.- Steve Bryce

Gibson's dismal showing gives Bryce something of an easy benchmark for improvement.

"That's kind of a running joke among all my friends," Bryce said. "You win one game and you're the second-winningest coach in U of R Rams history."

But at the Rams' spring camp this weekend at the U of R,Bryce said he is aiming for more than one win.

"Our goal is we're playing November 26th in Hamilton for the Vanier Cup," he said. "You set your sights to outstanding. We're going to set out goals really, really high."

Quarterback Noah Picton said that, while he is focused on the season ahead, it's hard to forget what happened last year.

"Everyone still has a bitter taste in their mouth from last season," Picton said. "We were close in a lot of games. But we were young, immature. We didn't know how to win."

2015 team lacked maturity, Bryce says

Bryce has also analysed what happened last year.

"They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory a few times last year because they had some games in the bag and just kind of gave up at the end,"Bryce said.

"I don't think that 0 - 8 record speaks to the talent of the team," he added. "I think the talent is definitely there. I think maturity had a lot to do with it."

Bryce said camaraderie and teamwork will need to improve this year.

"It didn't seem like it was a really tight-bonded team. It seemed like a lot of kids playing for themselves," he observed. "They're great athletes, trying to do what's good for themselves but firstly,they've got to do what's good for the team. We have to create those tighter bonds and we'll win those close games."