The U of R Rams have not played a Canada West football game since October 25, 2019 when they beat the University of Manitoba Bisons 47-14 at Leibel Field.

On Sunday, the football team gets back on the field in a pre-season game as they meet the University of Alberta Golden Bears in a game that will be played in Medicine Hat.

It will be the first time Mark McConkey has stepped onto the field as the team’s head coach.   The former receiver, who was the offensive co-ordinator under Steve Bryce, was promoted to the job on an interim basis in February 2020 after Bryce stepped down.

McConkey is excited to finally see his team in action and says while a majority of his starters are known, there is still some competition for jobs,

“We have about 18 of our 24 starters secured, but we need to know things like who are fourth and fifth wide receiver are going to be.” McConkey said. “We need to see what a lot of guys can do under the lights in a game situation.  It is going to be great to finally play a game again and to see our guys go up against another team.”