It will be another tough test for the University of Regina Rams (1-3) tonight as they travel to Edmonton to meet the University of Alberta Golden Bears (3-1).
The Rams are coming off a double overtime 27-24 loss to the University of Manitoba Bisons.
Alberta is coming off their first defeat of the 2023 campaign, with UBC (4-0) picking up a 54-37 win over the Golden Bears.
Like the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Rams had to turn to a third quarterback this year. Injuries to Noah Pelletier and Bryden O’Flaherty have led to Owen Sieben taking over.
Earlier this week, Sieben joined Sean Kleisinger on the Sportscage.
The Rams QB noted his love for football began growing up in Langley, B.C. He began playing football for the North Langley Bears.
“It’s where I fell in love with football, and I just wanted to keep playing from there.”
He would move to the Terry Fox High Secondary in Port Coquitlam. He missed out on a Grade 10 season due to COVID. During his Grade 11 season, the Ravens went to the provincial finals.
Sieben was hoping to move one step further in his Grade 12 season but suffered a separated shoulder injury that derailed those plans.
“I’m just grateful for all of my coaches and teammates, it was a great experience.”
Sieben had to decide where he was going to continue his football career. He narrowed his options to the Rams and the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. He credits Regina’s coaching staff as the reason Sieben chose the Rams.
“They did a really good job of building a connection to me and my family. It was really important to me and my family that I was seen as a person and not a player, and that was big.”
The first-year quarterback was thrown into action against the University of Calgary Dinos on September 16, where Sieben led the Rams to a comeback win. He enjoys the task of starting for a U Sports squad.
“From the playbook and how complex it is, to how complex defences are, it’s been really big learning curve, it’s been a really big challenge. But I love football, I love that challenge.”
Last week against Manitoba, Sieben was 23-36 with 299 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Being the starting quarterback of the Rams means everything to Sieben.
“It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work over the years.”
He credits former Rams quarterbacks Noah Picton and Josh Donnelly as sources of inspiration.
“It makes you buy into what we’re doing here and it makes you want to be a great player like those guys.”
Following tonight’s game against the Golden Bears, the Canada West Football Conference will hold their bye week.
The Rams will return to action against the Bisons on October, Saturday 14.
