Rams play on a new team
May 10, 2010 - Regina Leader-Post
By Ian Hamilton
Over the past few days, Marc Mueller got to see how the other half lives.
"We got to meet and play with guys who, during the Canada West season, you hate," the University of Regina Rams quarterback said Sunday after returning from London, Ont., where he and two of his Rams teammates -- receivers Mark McConkey and Brenden Owens -- played in the CIS's East-West Bowl all-star game.
"When you get a chance to hang out and talk with each other, you realize they're just like you."
The East beat the West 12-9 in the contest, during which the Rams' pivot unveiled something new -- his legs.
"I thought I played well," said Mueller, who was 16-for-34 passing for a game-high 227 yards with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Braeden George of the Saskatchewan Huskies. "I made the right reads. I didn't make any mistakes. I didn't throw any interceptions.
"I moved around well, too, which surprised even me," he added with a laugh. "That 22-yard run (part of his West-leading total of 27 yards rushing) is the longest of my career at any level."
McConkey and Owens also were pleased with their showings. McConkey caught three passes (all from Huskies quarterback Laurence Nixon) for 40 yards and Owens made three receptions for 20 yards (including 12 via two completions from Mueller).
"After the game, one of the coaches came up and told me, 'You look like a good receiver,' " said McConkey, who during Tuesday's testing sessions didn't run a 40-yard dash because of a tender hamstring and managed just one repetition on the 225-pound bench press.
"He said, 'You've really got an "on" switch for games. If you can get your hamstring healthy and get your bench press into double digits, for sure you'll be looked at as a CFL prospect.' "
"The coaches said I did well," added Owens. "I had a few good practices during the week when Marc and I connected on a few routes, so that was good."
Owens also struggled in the testing, failing to register a rep at 225 pounds and running a 5.02-second 40.
"I'm sure some people will view it as a negative," he said. "It's one more thing that'll motivate me to get into the gym."
Laval Rouge et Or kicker Christopher Milo kicked three field goals and a single for the East, which also recorded a safety. Hugh O'Neill of the Alberta Golden Bears added a convert for the West, which got its other points on a conceded safety in the windy conditions.
Mueller, who guided the West into the wind in the second and fourth quarters, tried to get O'Neill into field-goal position on the final play. But O'Neill's 51-yard attempt into the breeze was short.
"Winning is always important," Owens said when asked if the game's outcome mattered. "That's why you play football. When you lose, you're not happy."
That said, Owens was pleased with what he brought back to Regina.
"There, you're going against the best DBs in the country, all-stars who you face every play in practices and in the game," he said. "Going against them makes you that much sharper when you're playing against teams where the talent level is a little more diluted."
"The coaching there was unreal," added McConkey. "The majority of the coaches from Canada West and Ontario were there. The knowledge they have was unbelievable and they tried to pass that on to us. They taught us some new tricks and techniques that we can use next year."
Mueller also used the week as a chance to renew acquaintances with people he met through his grandfather, CFL legend Ron Lancaster.
"It was pretty neat to see those people again and show them that I turned out all right," said Mueller, referring to men like ex-Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Greg Marshall and current Toronto Argonauts general manager Adam Rita.
Huskies linebacker Peter Thiel, a product of Regina, had three tackles for the West. The West squad also included Regina-born U of S offensive lineman Ben Heenan.