The Rams are coming off of a historic win last weekend as they prepare to face another challenger on Saturday.
Last weekend, the Rams (1-4) faced the Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions (0-4) and, after a tight game, ended with a 52-44 win in triple overtime. This weekend the Rams play the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Aggies in Oklahoma.
Head coach Joe Prud’homme thinks that this victory has affected the Rams’ outlook on the rest of the season.
“It validated our efforts with a win,” Prud’homme wrote in an email. “We have had 3 games like that in a row and it was great to get on the right side of the scoreboard this time. I believe that it will build some confidence.”
Despite the gut-wrenching three overtimes, offensive coordinator Kyle Cox wrote in an email that he believed in the team and knew the team could pull it off if they kept their heads in the game.
“I’ve coached in multiple games that have gone into overtime before,” Cox wrote, “and this was hands down the most calm I’ve ever felt during a game. We had put together a really good gameplan, and SAGU was not able to stop our running game at all. I knew it was just a matter of time before our defense made them pay for making a mistake and sealing the win!”
The win against the Lions marked the Rams’ fifth game of the season, meaning that the season is at the halfway point. While the coaching staff and the team can’t believe that they are already halfway done, kicker Gregory Blaser wrote in an email that he has seen a lot of improvement from the team since game one, and he is looking forward to the second half of the season.
“We’ve grown so much as a team this far,” Blaser wrote. “We’ve had guys go down and new guys step up and fill their place. We have a great set of backups and people ready to play in case a starter goes down. We will continue to adapt and overcome adversity as the rest of the season plays out so just be ready because we’re showing out!”
Prud’homme has also seen improvement in the players this season, though he wrote that there is still plenty of room for the team to continue to grow.
“We have definitely improved in all three phases,” Prud’homme wrote. “Our line play on both sides of the ball has steadily improved. We continue to be explosive on offense. Our biggest area for improvement would be to eliminate turnovers on offense and limit our opponents’ big plays on defense. We need to improve our return game and kicking on special teams, but continue the improved coverage.”
The upcoming game against OPSU will mark the Rams’ fifth away game thus far in the season. Prud’homme wrote that this will be a tough game for the Rams.
“OPSU is BIG and aggressive,” Prud’homme wrote. “They make you earn everything in all three phases. It’s their homecoming so we will be playing a highly motivated team.”
Despite this, Cox thinks that the team can carry on their victory from last week and be successful again this week.
“Losing is contagious,” Cox wrote. “If you let it stick around too long, it will spread and continue to infect those around it. Winning is also contagious. I’m really hopeful that the triple overtime win will kick-start the rest of this season and help us play a lot of inspired football.”
Blaser wrote that the team is ready for another challenge and looking forward to giving the fans a good game to watch.
“Getting a win under our belt is a great feeling,” Blaser wrote, “and we’re all eager to keep the streak alive and we’re hungry for more. I think it’s going to help us finish games and come out on top from now on.”
The Rams will face Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Oklahoma on Saturday at 2 p.m. To watch the game or for more info, go to ramsports.net
