CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos football team opens their preseason schedule Sunday evening against the University of Regina Rams in a neutral-site test at the Methanex Bowl in Medicine Hat, Alta., kicking off at 4:30 p.m.

It's the first game action of training camp for a Calgary roster loaded with first- and second-year players.

"It's a great chance to really go and test your state of readiness," Dinos head coach Ryan Sheahan said. "It's extra important for us this year because we've got so many young players that are excited to get game action in Canada West football.

"All you could hope for is a competitive team internally to drive up the performance, and it should turn into a good product on Sunday."

The Rams enter as a proven measuring stick. Regina reached the Hardy Cup final in each of the past two seasons – falling 25-24 to the Saskatchewan Huskies last season after winning the title outright the year before.

"Regina is a good football team, and they're well coached," Sheahan said. "Lining up against them and ironing out some wrinkles, and finding out who amongst the players we brought into the program is ready to battle for a starting position is crucial for our development."

The Dinos roster features a pair of players who call Medicine Hat home. First-year punter Ira Hozack is a product of Medicine Hat High School, while first-year defensive back Baker Thompson comes from Monsignor McCoy High School.

Event Details:
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. MT at the Methanex Bowl in Medicine Hat
Gates: Open at 3:30 p.m., coordinated by Medicine Hat's three high schools; $10 per adult, with kids 10 and under or anyone wearing a jersey getting in free, plus a 50/50 draw benefiting the three schools
Charity BBQ: Starts at 2:30 p.m., sponsored by South Country Co-op and TruMe Whole Health, with proceeds going to Medicine Hat Minor Football

-UC-