Standing at 63? and weighing in at 280 pounds, Ben Gieni is noticeable in any room he enters and come Saturday Gieni hopes to be noticed on the football field with the University of Regina Rams.
The fifth-year player has been a big part of the Regina Rams defence and has helped the team reach the Hardy Cup and play for the Canada West title.
The Rams beat the University of Saskatchewan Huskies last weekend in the semifinal match in Regina by a score of 31-9. The Rams advanced to face the Calgary Dinos where the winner will play for a national championship. Calgary has played in and won the previous four Canada West championship games while the Rams haven't made it that far since 2007.
The strength of the Rams this season is their defence and Gieni, a captain with the team, has been a big part of that. Gieni has 12 solo tackles on the season including three in the playoff game against the Huskies. He had three sacks on the season, recovered one fumble and had one interception this season while racking up 26 tackles in nine games. Gieni has had his best statistical season with the Rams in his final year of eligibility, this has been the most successful team Gieni has been a part of. The Rams are 7-2 on the season and split their two games with Calgary this year winning 12-9 on Oct. 19 in Regina and losing 37-21 in the first game of the season in Calgary.
Gieni grew up in the Battlefords before moving to Unity for four years and playing high school football with the Unity Comprehensive High School Warriors where he helped them win a provincial championship.
Gieni and the Rams will be in Calgary and the game will be broadcast on TSN starting at 3 p.m. Saturday.
