Keisman to the rescue

Don’t judge him by his fumble. /image: Arthur Ward

First-year Ram comes up big for the home team

Article: Brady Lang – Sports Writer

The Regina Rams survived a scare in Alberta last week, but pulled the win out in the end.

Led by first-year quarterback John Kiesman, the Rams came from behind to beat the Golden Bears 25-20, improving the Rams record to 2-4 on the season. The Rams also saved themselves the embarrassment of losing to a team that hasn’t won since Oct. 17th, 2009.

The Rams were down 20-18 with just under four minutes remaining in the game and took over on their own 35-yard line, that’s when quarterback Kiesman saved the day.

Kiesman, the product of Winnipeg, MB., started his first CIS game after the Rams starting quarterback Cayman Shutter went down with a concussion in the week previous against the University of Manitoba Bisons.

Kiesman began his post high school football career with the Winnipeg Rifles of the CJFL, throwing for 1252 yards and seven touchdown passes in his only season with the team. Kiesman then red shirted for the Manitoba Bisons in last year’s CIS season before eventually making his way to the Rams.

Kiesman may not yet be a household name, but he certainly has the respect and the trust of his teammates in the dressing room.
“I thought John played really well,” said Rams first-year offensive lineman Matthew Degelman, “I have tons of confidence in John and so does the team. We all have to trust that everyone is going to do their job for our success.”

Judging on his play in the win over Alberta, it’s easy to understand why the room would have confidence in Kiesman. He went 18 for 31 passing while throwing one touchdown with no interceptions in last Saturday’s victory.

[pullquote]“I thought John played really well. I have tons of confidence in John and so does the team. We all have to trust that everyone is going to do their job for our success.”[/pullquote]

Kiesman is also a very versatile quarterback. His 147 yards rushing in just two games this season have him sitting in second on the team behind Rams running back Michael Kiapway and 110 yards ahead of starting QB Shutter.

With the extent of Shutter’s injury unknown we may be able to take a better look at Kiesman as the Rams season comes to a close.

The Rams’ second win of the season, and first at home, was definitely a tightly contested game. The lead changed hands five times, including three changes in the final quarter.

The Golden Bears jumped out to a 15-0 lead midway through the first quarter by the strength of an eight-yard touchdown pass by visiting quarterback Ryan Schwartz and a one yard run by Alberta’s Schwartz. The Rams then scored three field goals and a touchdown – 34 yards from Kiesman to wideout Jared Janotta – to tie the game at 15 going into half time.

After a third quarter rouge by the Golden Bears, the Rams took back the lead with yet another field goal by Rams kicker Taylor Wandler with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Golden Bears tied the game at 18 with just eight minutes remaining and after another rouge with four minutes on the clock, the Rams backs’ were against the wall.

Kiesman orchestrated a 75-yard winning drive, capped off with a one yard run to defeat the Alberta Golden Bears by a final of 25-20.

The Rams have two games remaining on their 2013 schedule, next Friday in Calgary against the Dinos and the following Saturday at home when the boys battle provincial rivals the Saskatchewan Huskies at Mosaic Stadium, game time is 1:00.